Former India cricketer and four-time IPL winner Suresh Raina believes Mumbai Indians (MI), with their formidable power-hitters, have a major edge over Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) forward of the re-match between the 2 groups within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, to be performed on the Wankhede Stadium right here on Sunday night. CSK had emerged victorious over MI by 4 wickets of their season opener on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 23. However after that, each groups which have bagged 5 IPL trophies every have been within the backside half of the factors desk – MI on the seventh spot and CSK rooted within the backside place.
“MI seems to be very, very robust. They gained a really, excellent recreation in Delhi. Towards CSK’s top-order, Trent Boult’s position will probably be important as a result of he bowls a great line and has a great yorker. Tilak Varma is in a special gun type. So, right here I really feel MI has the higher hand over CSK as a result of they’ve a number of energy hitters. Karn Sharma is in good circulation and has performed for CSK as effectively.”
“This recreation is essential for each groups as a result of the matches they win from now onwards will assist them climb up within the factors desk. It’s a very, crucial match for CSK, as MI are already coming after wins. If CSK wins, then the league stage pool will change into much more attention-grabbing,” mentioned Raina, a JioStar professional, to IANS in a digital interplay, forward of the upcoming week of the event, ranging from Sunday, labelled as “Revenge Week”.
Raina additionally felt CSK’s bowling assault, spearheaded by left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad (12 wickets), left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed (11 wickets), and right-arm fast-bowler Matheesha Pathirana, formed as essential figures for his or her success in opposition to MI. “Those who can show to be true ace gamers for CSK are Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed.”
“To not neglect, the way in which Noor Ahmed has bowled, as a result of you will notice Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Rohit Sharma – all of them play a number of sweep photographs. So, their energy within the center overs is the flawed ‘un and may slip in a slider as effectively. So, they must play in opposition to him a bit rigorously there,” he added.
On the Wankhede Stadium, the Mumbai Indians have gained seven instances in opposition to the CSK, whereas struggling 5 defeats in IPL video games.
“I bear in mind at any time when we performed at Wankhede, the toss was very important. The ability-play of six overs, whether or not you might be defending or setting targets, it is vitally essential to bat very effectively in these six overs,” he mentioned.
“For those who lose one wicket in six overs on this wicket, whether or not the whole is 70, 80, or 90, who handles the strain higher amongst these two groups with 5 trophies every, would be the key. However as I mentioned, MI has the higher hand over CSK,” added Raina.
He additionally highlighted that CSK’s batting order hasn’t proven the required intent and willingness to cut back the variety of dot balls. As per statistics from Cricket-21, CSK have performed 297 dot balls, which is simply marginally lower than KKR’s 301 dot balls. However when it comes to balls per boundary and boundary proportion, CSK are the worst workforce with figures of 6.6 and 51.71 per cent respectively.
“I feel the intent is lacking as a result of we’re dropping a number of wickets in power-play, and CSK has been enjoying a number of dot balls. They should have that mindset of enjoying the least variety of dot balls and trying to rotate the strike. Once you’re batting within the first six overs, it’s important to go exhausting in energy play.”
“Then the sport will change from overs 7-14, the place you may establish the bowler for hitting fours and sixes, in addition to use their tempo and run exhausting between the wickets. You must play much less variety of dot balls, and if CSK has to beat MI, they should play their A recreation,” concluded Raina.
Catch Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at 3:30 PM and Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Tremendous Kings at 7:30 PM on Sunday in an electrifying IPL 2025 Revenge Week from April 20-27, reside and completely on JioHotstar and Star Sports activities Community.
–IANS
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(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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