What
The Mumbai Indians get set to host the Chennai Super Kings
When
March 25, 2010, 8 pm
Where
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. This is a pitch which has produced thrilling run-fests, and also brought out some of the best bowling figures as well. Vinay Kumar’s three wicket haul was on this very ground, as was Yusuf Pathan’s cracker of a century. It would be interesting to see what kind of a classic this pitch will conjure today.
The Protagonists
The Mumbai Indians reaffirmed themselves as favourites for a semi-final spot by easily romping past the Kolkata Knight Riders with seven wickets to spare. The Little Master seems never to age when it comes to his favourite sport. Be it any format, Sachin Tendulkar always comes up with a knock that floors the opposition entirely and carries his team single-handedly to victory. Their bowlers are also striking a fine rhythm, and they look set to go all the way.
The Chennai Super Kings have lost two of their three previous encounters and will heave a huge sigh of relief as their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rejoins them for the tournament. Their batting has ended up in a spot of bother, especially in his absence. The creative spark which they have been missing so desperately in the last three matches will finally be re-introduced as India’s skipper returns to bolster the Chennai Super Kings. Muthaiah Muralidharan now holds the Purple Cap, and would want to add to his wickets tally.
What next?
On paper, and off it, these are two teams which lack neither in quality nor in execution. Evenly matched, the skippers exude confidence, the batsmen can demolish an attack, and the bowlers are also war-hardened veterans. A win for the Mumbai Indians will keep them hot on the heels of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are comfortably perched atop the table, or might displace them on the virtue of net run-rate.
The Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are teetering on the edge of the top four, and their net run rate currently stands at zero. They would be looking for a victory now that Dhoni has returned to the side.
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