In the 49th match of IPL 2023, five-time champions Mumbai Indians will face four-time champions Chennai Super Kings today. This match is also called 'El Clásico' of IPL, as both are the most successful teams in the league. El Clásico is a Spanish word that means excellent. In Spanish football, the Barcelona–Real Madrid match is called El Clásico, as both are the most successful clubs in La Liga.
Both teams have clashed earlier this season as well. Chennai defeated Mumbai by seven wickets in the match played at the Wankhede Stadium. Rohit's Paltan will take revenge on Dhoni's Super Kings. The Chennai team has played 10 matches so far, out of which it has won five, while four have faced defeat. One match was washed out due to rain. Chennai is currently third in the points table with 11 points. At the same time, Mumbai has 10 points from nine matches with five wins and four losses. The team is in the sixth position in the points table.
Both the teams have come face to face 35 times in the IPL so far. Mumbai has won 20 and Chennai has won 15 matches. At the same time, both teams have met seven times in Chepauk. Out of this, Chennai has won five and Mumbai has won two matches.
Chennai Super Kings, who could score just one point in the last three matches, would like to return to winning ways by defeating Mumbai Indians on Saturday. However, Mumbai's spirits are high and it is also its favorite ground. Five-time champions Mumbai have won the last two matches at the Chepauk Stadium. He defeated Chennai here in 2019 and will play the arch-rival's four-time champion team here after almost four years. The Mumbai team has won the last two consecutive matches. The batsmen of the team are in excellent form. Mumbai had achieved the target of 213 against Rajasthan and 215 against Punjab.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai team's last match against Lucknow Supergiants was rained out, while they had lost their previous two matches. Chennai, who faced defeat on the last ball against Punjab Kings on April 30, hopes that this time it will not disappoint its visitors. Devon Conway (414 runs) and Rituraj Gaikwad (354 runs) got the team off to a good start, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Experienced Ajinkya Rahane and youngster Shivam Dubey have scored runs, but Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali's bats have been more or less silent.
Dhoni, who has dropped way down the order, has played some good shots but his fans are wondering why he is sending out-of-form Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja to bat ahead of him. Chennai defeated Mumbai in the first match based on Rahane's brilliant batting and Rahane would like to repeat that performance once again.
The return of Deepak Chahar has strengthened the bowling but Tushar Deshpande (17 wickets, economy rate 12.11) has given away a lot of runs. Jadeja has bowled well but could not do anything amazing with the bat. There is talk of dropping all-rounder Mitchell Santner, but it remains to be seen whether he replaces Moeen or Mahesh Tikhsna.
On the other hand, after a slow start, Mumbai Indians have found their rhythm and are chasing a big target. However, skipper Rohit Sharma's troubles have increased with the bowlers failing to contain the opposition batsmen. Experienced Jofra Archer has failed to pick up wickets. The Mumbai team management will be happy to have Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan back in form. Tim David and Tilak Verma have played the role of finishers very well.
Possible playing-11 of both the teams
Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Rituraj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dubey, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner/Mahesh Tikhsna, Deepak Chahar, Mathisha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Hrithik Shokeen, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal.
(pc amarujala)