IPL 2019: Qualifier 1, CSK vs MI 3 key battles

On the back of clinical performance in the last match, Mumbai Indians elevated to number 1 position in the points table and earned the chance to play the first qualifier against Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. The eliminator will be played between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad who finished at number 3 &4 respectively.

Mumbai Indians' comprehensive win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the last match of the league stage ensured that the first match of the playoffs will be the El-Classico of IPL, a face-off between the two most successful sides of the league, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Both teams have crowned the title three times each and will look to take the coveted title home for the fourth time. While CSK were fluent throughout the tournament, Mumbai Indians peaked at the right time to ensure their place at the top of the table.

Chepauk has been a stronghold for CSK as they outplayed each of their opponents except Mumbai on this ground. Mumbai Indians were able to get the better off CSK both at the Chepauk and the Wankhede. Both teams boast many game changers in their ranks whose performances will have a huge effect on the outcome of the match. There will be many duels between the players that can be decisive in the context of the result.

Here we look at top three key battles to be taken the place in the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League 2019.

1. Keiron Pollard vs Dwayne Bravo:

Keiron Pollard endorses the strike rate of 175.41 against Dwayne Bravo.

On-field banters between the two West Indians giants has been one of the most iconic things in the Indian Premier League. Generally, Keiron Pollard is seen holding the bat for Mumbai Indians in the slog overs, while Dwayne Bravo, with his experience and variations, takes the job of restricting the opposition in the death overs. In the past, on many occasions, Pollard and Bravo have faced-off against each other in T20 cricket where an interesting battle between both the players has taken place.

In T20 cricket, Pollard has faced 122 balls against DJ Bravo and smashed 214 runs at a strike rate of 175.41 with 15 sixes and as many fours. Dwayne Bravo has not fallen behind either as he has dismissed his adversary seven times and bowled 41 dot balls.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL orange cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, purple cap and fantasy tips.

2. MS Dhoni vs Lasith Malinga:

MS Dhoni is yet to face Lasith Malinga in this year IPL.

The two heavyweights of the game with a lot of experience on their side will play a crucial hand in the happening of the match. MS Dhoni and Lasith Malinga are likely to confront in the slog overs where it will be interesting to see Dhoni's helicopter shot trying to negate Malinga's piercing yorkers. So far, it has been a neck-to-neck contest between both in T20 cricket as Dhoni has not been able to maintain a high-flowing strike rate against Malinga and the latter has not been successful to dismiss the former many times.

Dhoni has faced 90 balls from Malinga in T20 cricket and scored 124 runs at a strike rate of 137.77 with ten fours and four sixes. Malinga has dismissed Dhoni three times and bowled 27 dot balls.

In the current season, both are looking to turn the table with their experience and a face-off between two legends will certainly be a key battle.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.

3. Rohit Sharma vs Imran Tahir:

In this season, Rohit has scored 24 runs off 16 balls against Tahir

Irrespective of a below-par season with the bat, Rohit Sharma is the most important batsman of his team. And going by the very recent form, the Mumbai Indians' skipper is looking to peak at the very right time as he has scored two half-centuries in the last four outings. Rohit is someone who can play a destructive hand if survives in the power-play. To counter this, MS Dhoni will look towards the best weapon in his arsenal of spin bowlers- Imran Tahir. The South-African leggie has been impressive throughout the tournament and brought the breakthroughs for his team when needed.

In the past, Rohit Sharma versus Imran Tahir has been an intriguing battle as the latter has not allowed the former bat freely. Rohit Sharma has faced 84 balls from Imran Tahir and scored 101 runs at a modest strike rate of 120.23 with seven fours and four sixes. Though Tahir has been able to restrict the run flow against Rohit, he has dismissed the Mumbai opener just one time with 28 dot balls.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL orange cap, points table, schedule, news, live scores, purple cap and fantasy tips.