Only constant thing in the ever-changing IPL has been the presence of Chennai Super Kings in the play-offs. But this year, they needed help from DC and DD to reach the play-offs. But the team now knows that they have to win on May 23 - to prove to the world - that they deserve this place.
CSK Best XI
1. Hussey 2. Vijay 3. Raina 4. Bravo 5. Dhoni 6. Badri 7.Albie 8. Jadeja 9. Ashwin 10. Yo Mahesh/Jakati 11. Hilfenhauz
The team has to start treating Jadeja as a bowler who can bat - rather than as an all-rounder. Considering Bravo's form, it might be prudent to send Bravo ahead of Dhoni and use Badri as a floater like yester-years. My biggest worry is that the team does not choose the wrong team (like in Season 2) and put them-self at a disadvantage.
Considering Bangalore's batting friendly tracks, it might be prudent to pick Yo Mahesh ahead of Jakati. But the pitch would decide between them.
Mumbai Probable XI
1. Sachin 2. Smith 3. Rohit Sharma 4. Dinesh Karthik 5. Ambati Rayudu 6. Pollard 7. James Franklin 8. Harbhajan 9. Malinga 10. RP Singh 11. Munaf Patel/Kulkarani
Most Dangerous Players.
Mumbai is the only squad to have 11 equally dangerous players. I am sure a properly led Mumbai 'B' team would have thrashed half the IPL sides. But the most dangerous players are
1. Malinga: CSK players have always found his four overs - the toughest to play
2. Sachin: Master Blaster has been a key thorn in CSK games.
3.Pollard: In a high-scoring pitches like Bangalore, his role would be pivotal.
Prediction: With both the sides packed with explosive batsmen, the team winning the toss would have an enormous advantage. But my heart says CSK would win- with key contributions from its left-handers.
My fingers are crossed! What about you?
9 comments:
I know it is a tough call, but we need Kulasekara at the expense of one of Albie/Bravo. It wouldn't matter as much if we we chase a total, but if we are defending a score, then the 2 bowlers who open will be super critical.
We have sufficient batting depth already with Hussey, Vijay, Raina, Dhoni, Badri, Jadeja and Albie/Bravo(if 7 batsmen don't do the job then the 8th one can't help either).
Of-course it depends on the pitch. We can go with the additional spinner and both Albie and Bravo if it is Chepauk, but if it is a track that suites the seamers then I would go with the additional specialist bowler.
I second the previous comment. We need to get Kulasekara in place of Bravo/Albie. Kulasekara is a wicket taking bowler who also bowls economic spells. I was initially rooting for Bollinger in place for Albie/Bravo, but, he has returned to Australia :-(
But, given the way Dhoni and Stephen Fleming have operated in this IPL, I'm guessing they wouldn't change the team composition.
@Anon,
Yes. Kulasekara is a good prospect. But in a batting pitch, his role might not be very crucial. I would still prefer playing both Albie & Bravo...
Another idea - might bring Kulasekara in the place of Hussey and play one extra Indian batsman.. Mukund or Anirudha..
but what about du plesis.. he has been in a extra odinary form... replacing hussey with du plesis is also an option... vijay has been a serious problem this ipl.. csk can give a chance to mukund as aniruda has fractured his collar bone.. du plesis badri opening was working well with us.. y to disturb it.. comparative to yo mahesh , jakati is far better in any kind of pitch
Vijay, Hussey/Faf, Raina, Dhoni, Badri, Albie, Hilfenhaus, Jakati, Kulasekara/Suraj Randiv (based on the wicket), Ashwin, Sudhish Tyagi (I think he will be better in Bangalore than YoMahesh). I don't think Jadeja should be in the team. He a pathetic bowler and an ordinary batsman. I would rather have a good batsman in Badri. Bowlers: Tyagi, Kula/Randiv/or some other spinner, Albie, Hilfenhaus, Jakati,Raina, Hussey/Faf. We must have genuine bowlers to take wickets in Bangalore to win. We are much better fielding side than Mumbai and hopefully that will come through. 5 batsmen 4 bowlers and one all rounder and 2 part-time bowlers should be the way to go. I don't mind going with Hussey or Faf. Hussey is a big game player and their fielding ability is a wash.
Raina Our big match player must fire tomorrow.With useful contribution from Vijay and Hussey.Dhoni Cameo would be great.Hope we can put up a good total.Ben Hilfenhaus must get Sachin,Rohit early with swing.Ashwin must rise to the occasion and run through the middle order,He has had a lacklustre season.
Dhoni should win the Toss and elect to bowl first. Ashwin, Dhoni's captaincy, Vijai, Raina & Dhoni should bat to their full potential today & CSK's fielding should proof that CSK is still champion team that have won glory in the last 4 years. They have been sleeping the last 2 months. Now its the time to wake and roar like the king of the jungle.
I would prefer Hussey & Badri in today's Match, 2 most experienced batsman though their scoring rate is bit slow, they seem to give confidence to the player at the other end. May be jadeja can be replaced by Mukund. Jakati or Yomahesh. I dont there is any place Faf, though i would love to include him in the playing XI. Good luck CSK. I am sure you will win today and sail through to finals.
Sathish
I think it will be a good idea to keep the same combination from the last match and maybe replace yomi with sudeep. But Sudeep doesn't have variations and from the looks of it, neither does yomi. So there is not much of a choice there. I believe Jadeja is as good (or as bad) a bowler as Jakati. The main reason for selecting Jakati and Jadeja together is to have enough bowlers who turn the ball the other way for Dhoni. I believe Dhoni will play spinners in this match as he is a better captain of spinners. If we bowl first and restrict mumbai to under 170 we have a chance. If we bat first, we will have to make 190 and take the top order down quickly to have any chance.
@all_those_who_call_chennai_lucky : dudes, if the schedule was slightly altered and had chennai played their last match after RCB - you wouldnt be calling it divine intervention. Chennai was unlucky in that sense that they had finish their matches early without really knowing the exact target. Chennai is one of the better 'pressure handling' teams and we one would expect them to make it to the playoffs in situations from where RCB failed.
hussey should be a permanent fixture in all teams. he cools off the tension and that has a great effect on the team.
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