This Sunday will be 140 days since the last match of the IPL 2021 – phase 1 (are we allowed to call it that?) – was played between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. Then the tournament was indefinitely postponed in the aftermath of multiple Covid-19 cases in the IPL camps. Five-times champion Mumbai Indians and three-times champion Chennai Super Kings will now resume the tournament on 19 September.
The Super Kings are currently at second place while defending champions Mumbai Indians are fourth. After failing to qualify for the Playoffs for the first time, in 2020, Chennai have recovered well this season, winning five of their first seven matches.
Faf du Plessis has been their leading run-getter with 320 runs including four fifties. He made a return to cricket during the CPL after a long concussion break and looked in good form with a hundred and an eighty. However, his availability is doubtful due to a groin injury. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Moeen Ali, one of the few English players to join IPL after the break are the other batters the team would rely on.
Deepak Chahar took wickets regularly in the first phase, while Ravindra Jadeja showed his value as an all-rounder yet again. Sam Curran is still serving the mandatory quarantine and therefore, is guaranteed not to feature against Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians arguably have the best first XI in the league. They are not great starters, as was evident this time as well. After losing three out of their six matches, they managed to win a close one against Kolkata Knight Riders. Will the starting blues affect them again? One can only speculate at this stage.
Rohit Sharma, with 250 runs, has been their highest run-getter. He has got support from Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard and Ishan Kishan. With ball, Rahul Chahar has been a revelation, with 11 wickets that earned him a berth in the squad for the T20 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah was not at his best during the first phase but is raring to go after a successful England tour. They will be interested to assess the form of Hardik Pandya, which can be a key factor for the national side as well. Whether he can find his touch with the bat and also can ball a few overs would be a massive factor for the Mumbai Indians.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Both top-order batsmen have the capability to fire. Du Plessis, de Kock, Rohit, and Suryakumar can be key picks.
- Bumrah and both Chahars should be the primary pick for bowlers.
- Both teams boast of some key all-rounders like Jadeja, Moeen, Pollard, and Pandya brothers.
Probable XIs
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (Captain), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
Prediction
Mumbai Indians look favourite.
Blitzpools fantasy XI
Ishan Kishan (wk); Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard; Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali; Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur
