IPL 2018, CSK vs MI Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians?

Two contrasting performances and yet the reaction to the both would be the same - dumbstruck. There is the classic MS Dhoni leading the yellow pack, making everything look like a dream and sitting right on top of the table on one side. On the other side, there is Rohit Sharma figuring out what went wrong in all those close contents while riding on their 'slow-starters' tag.

No team would be as frustrated as MI - they've got the right players and enviable amounts of talent yet, they're staring at the bottom-end of the table. Winning one out of six battles wasn't quite the plan of the defending champions. Contradicting them are the CSK team, losing just one game in the tournament. They've had their players stand up for them at the right times making it a dream comeback.

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Will the Mumbai team begin their winning streak in this match?

Date: 28th April

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

Time: 8.00 PM IST

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If Chennai Super Kings bat first:

Predicted score - 190+

It'll be a batting treat for the fans at their new den if the men in yellow begin batting first. In the two (out of six) matches they've batted first, they set up formidable targets of 183 and 205. There has been the inconsistency with the batsmen if taken individually, but on the whole, they've made explosive displays in every contest.

With the orange cap adorning his head, Ambati Rayudu has been the most consistent batsman for the side and Dhoni, returning to his vintage form, has gained the center stage all over again. However, the skipper doesn't boast of the same record in those two matches they've batted first. If Chennai's thala is as efficient in finishing the first innings, as he is unarguably in the second, the MI team can add another loss to their kitty.

In their previous match against the SRH, the maximum economy rate of the MI bowling attack was only 7.33. They have one of the best death bowling duo and yet have been unsuccessful in defending their total 4 out of 5 times. If they have finally got their game together, with Markande-Pandya spearheading the spin attack, the Pune pitch will assist them for some good turn.

If Mumbai Indians bat first:

Predicted score - 180+

Apart from one match against the RCB, neither MI nor their skipper have fared well. They have an explosive duo to begin their innings in Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis after Rohit Sharma slipped down to no.4. While Lewis has been on and off with his batting, Yadav has been shining through every match. To support him, the youngster Ishan Kishan jumps in. They've both managed to put up some crucial partnerships but all of them have gone in vain.

The area of concern has been their powerhouse in the lower middle order - the Pandya brothers and their Carribean best friend. Although Krunal has been doing well, Hardik and Pollard haven't really notched up their games. Hardik's previous innings of 3(19) has made him the target of criticism from all over the world.

An arguably out of sorts MI batting line-up will be pitted against, at least, 7 bowlers from the CSK side. If the last match's squad is to continue, three front-line spinners - Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Imran Tahir - will strengthen their traps for the visitors.

In the pace attack, Deepak Chahar has been getting his line and length pleasingly right and has been turning heads, especially after that feat of 3/15 against SRH. Accompanying him will be Shardul Thakur, Watto-power and the breaker of partnerships, Dwayne Bravo. With these many options and the mastermind behind the stumps, Rohit and co. must carefully orchestrate their innings.

Match prediction

Records from other seasons wouldn't play a big role here since neither the teams nor the venue has remained the same. Playing just one match in Pune, CSK are just as new to the conditions as the MI team. If something will make a difference, then it is the mindset or the morale of the players. It would be only fair to say that the Chennai franchise walk into the battle with a better scope.

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