PLAYING FOR SURVIVAL AND PRIDE
That’s what sums up tonight’s IPL clash between down and out Mumbai Indians and despondent Chennai Super Kings
Their IPL play-off hopes hanging by a thread, Chennai Super Kings will face their fiercest rivals, a down and out Mumbai Indians, in their bid to stay afloat in the competition here on Thursday.
This has been a season to forget for both Mumbai and CSK. While Mumbai will be playing for pride, CSK still have an outside chance to progress if they win their remaining games and other results go their way.
CSK will be eliminated if they lose to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. The MS Dhoni-led side would take confidence from their 91-run win over Delhi Capitals in their last outing and hope the batters build on their brilliant showing. Opener Devon Conway is in sublime form and has hit three back-to-back half centuries. He tore apart the Delhi Capitals attack with his whirlwind 87 and would need to provide an aggressive start with fellow opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who too has found form but can be more consistent.
The season got worse for Ravindra Jadeja who was left out for the last game against Delhi due to an injury after handing back the captaincy to Dhoni. It remains to be seen if he is back in action against Mumbai.
If CSK have to post a big score, like they did against DC, all batters will have to fire in unison.
Jadeja ruled out of IPL
Senior India and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was on Wednesday ruled out of the remainder of the IPL due to a rib injury, days after quitting the leadership role.
"Ravindra Jadeja won't be playing CSK's next two games as he has suffered a rib cage injury. He has already gone home," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said.