Chennai: The stage is set for the summit clash of IPL 2019 with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings all set to battle it out for the coveted IPL trophy at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad tonight.
Both Chennai and Mumbai have lifted the trophy thrice and they would look to add another feather in their cap. But the biggest question in the lips of fans is who will lift the trophy – Mumbai or Chennai.
Cricket-lovers in Chennai are confident that CSK would win the trophy a record fourth time. Speaking to News Today, Kannan, a die-hard Dhoni fan, says, “We have big match players. They will come good in crunch games. Today I bet big on them.”
Hailing leadership skills of Dhoni, he says, “He has been accurate in his decisions and he will use his captaincy skills well to ensure we cross the rope.”
For Govardhan, who caught all seven matches at MA Chidambaram Stadium live this season, “CSK have an upper hand against Mumbai Indians given their brilliant performance in powerplays. We have Deepak Chahar in their ranks who bowled the maximum number of dot balls in powerplays while Harbhajan Singh can hold MI opener Quinton de Kock with away-going deliveries.”
He is confident that Raina will come good in this match.
“CSK have been controlling the game through the middle overs. The like of Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja have been excellent. While batting, we should not lose many wickets,” he added.
However, a section of fans say its advantage Mumbai Indians. ‘Having beaten CSK in three matches in IPL 2019 so far, the momentum is with Mumbai Indians. Their batsmen play spinners well. No doubt they are favourites’, says Rohith, a college student.
He says, “Mumbai Indians can lift the IPL trophy for the fourth time. I believe Hardik Pandya is having his best IPL so far, an absolute cracking season with 386 runs with the bat and three man of the match awards. He is the key to their success.”
Earlier speaking about the summit clash, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, said, “It (Hyderabad) is a neutral venue. Both teams have played here so they are very much aware of the conditions. It is not going to be a major factor. Important will be to assess the pitch as quickly as we can, see what the ideal score will be if we bat first.”