IPL 2020 Match 41 MI v CSK Betting Preview

Match Details
Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Friday, October 23rd
16:00 SA Time

IPL 2020: Match 41 – CSK vs MI Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XI and Value bets.

Betting Preview

In the 41st match of Dream 11 IPL, we relive the age-old rivalry as Mumbai Indians (MI) take on bottom of the log Chennai Super Kings (CSK). A lot has happened since they last played each other in the very first match of this edition of IPL. The momentum has shifted in Mumbai’s favour and they will look to capitalise on this and cement their position in the top two spots on the table. On the other hand, a clueless CSK will look to win back its lost pride.

CSK has had a horrendous run in this season of IPL and their dismal performance, both with the bat and the bowl, has disappointed their fans. Apart from a few moments of individual brilliance, the Chennai camp hardly had anything to rejoice. Mathematically, they are still in the race for the fourth spot but not even Dhoni’s genius is likely to get them over the line. The main reason for Chennai’s failure has been their batting that heavily depends on Faf du Plessis.

Even though Faf has stood up well to the occasion, he hasn’t gotten the desired support from the other end that has resulted in slow starts again and again. The middle-order has failed miserably and the void that Suresh Raina left at the start of the tournament hasn’t been filled yet and it’s hurting. Kedar Jadhav has proven to be a burden for the side as he has neither contributed with the bat nor the ball. CSK promoted Sam Curran to open the innings to find a cure for their slow starts but even he has failed to do so after early promise.

Some useful knocks have come Chennai’s way off Dhoni’s and Jadeja’s bat but they were often way too late to make an impact. The bowling still hasn’t been as bad as their batting but the decision of putting Imran Tahir on the bench, when he was Chennai’s leading wicket-taker for last two seasons, is beyond anyone’s understanding. Not a very weak team on paper, Chennai has failed to execute their plans and their position on the points table reflects that.

MI comes into the game ending up on the wrong side of a very dramatic encounter against KXIP where it took two super-overs to decide the winner. Having lost just three of their nine games so far, Mumbai looks in a comfortable position to qualify for the playoffs provided they don’t end up playing poorly in their next matches. They have the most balanced side on paper and have firepower in all departments. Their batting depth is their greatest strength and with Pollard looking as destructive as ever, Mumbai looks all set to continue their dominance in the tournament. They also have the luxury of the world’s top two fast bowlers playing for them and the duo of Bumrah and Boult have lived up to their expectations and delivered time and again. All in all, Mumbai look the much stronger side and it will be a mounting task for CSK to contain them.

Injury and Availability News

Dwayne Bravo may remain unavailable for selection owing to the injury he sustained in the match against DC.

Probable Playing XI

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Counter Nile Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult

Chennai Super Kings

Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni ( c&wk ), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazelwood

Key Players to watch out for

Quinton de Kock: Mumbai Indians’ most consistent batsman this season, de Kock has also been their leading run-scorer as he has amassed 322 runs in his 9 matches at an average of 40.25. He has scored a total of 4 half-centuries in the tournament and comes into the game with knocks of 53 vs DC, 78 vs KKR and 53 against KXIP in his last three matches. He looks in fine form and Mumbai will depend on him yet again to give them a solid start in the powerplay.

Jasprit Bumrah: One of the world’s best in the business, Bumrah has bowled exceptionally well this season and is Mumbai’s highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in just 9 games. He is fourth overall in the purple cap race. His sensational spell in the death overs has turned the game around in Mumbai’s favour on multiple occasions in the past and MI will be hoping for yet another Bumrah masterclass.

Faf du Plessis: CSK’s most consistent batsman this season, du Plessis has scored 375 runs in 10 games at an average of 46.87. He is the only player in the side who has shown some positive intent and brought CSK close to winning a lot of matches single-handedly. He bats through most of Chennai’s innings without giving his wicket away and can dominate any bowling attack on a given day. He is fourth on the list of the highest run-scores of IPL 2020.

Value Betting

Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock to be Mumbai Indians top batsman at 2.25

Jasprit Bumrah to be Mumbai Indians top bowler at 1.90

Chennai Super Kings

Faf du Plessis to be Chennai Super Kings top batsman at 2.50

Imran Tahir to be Chennai Super Kings top bowler at 2.75

Prediction: Mumbai Indians to win at 0.54