IPL 4 Preview: Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings

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MI are scheduled to host CSK in IPL 4, at Mumbai, on April 22, 2011. This is arguably the biggest match just before the semi-finals. The two teams last met in the final of IPL 3, last year they had shared the two league games held just before that. Whilst they won their residence match comfortably, MI suffered a batting collapse at Chennai, soon after Tendulkar retired hurt.

On current form, MI are amongst the strongest teams of this year's edition, whilst Chennai are looking much more self-assured immediately after being joined by Aussies Hussey and Bollinger.

MI have a solid batting line-up, led by skipper Tendulkar, partnered by Jacobs at the leading of the order, and followed by Rayudu, Sharma, Symonds and Pollard. On the other hand, there is a psychological dependence on Tendulkar, and CSK could aim to exploit that by dismissing the MI skipper early. MI's bowling has been weakened due to the fact last year by the departure of Zaheer Khan, but on the evidence of the game with Pune Warriors, Munaf Patel is performing his most effective to compensate.

Malinga remains the primary strike bowler and is at present the highest wicket taker and purple cap wearer of IPL 4. Harbhajan's lack of form has been worrying, although, and the team has shown an more than-reliance on Malinga to get an early breakthrough. The solitay loss against Kochi Knight Riders came when McCullum took on Malinga and won the battle. Ali Murtaza, Symonds, and Rohit Sharma are spinners at Tendulkar's disposal, though Pollard is an additional bowler who can fill into a portion-time bowling slot.

CSK's batting revolves around four Indian batsmen, all of whom are in reasonable form. Vijay, Badrinath, Raina and Dhoni have all been striking the ball nicely, and Dhoni is arguably the perfect finisher of the tournament, alongside PW's Yuvraj. Mike Hussey has joined Vijay at the leading of the order and strengthened the batting.

CSK's major concern has been in the inconsistency in the bowling department. Whilst Bollinger's arrival really should ease that worry somewhat, the Aussie bowler will want some far more time in the middle ahead of he gets into a rhythm. On paper, CSK's bowling is a bit stronger with Ashwin and Southee lending support. Randiv and Jakati are additional spin choices, and bring wide variety to the attack.

Though Dhoni is amore astute captain, Tendulkar has led from the front, scoring runs in each game, which includes a century aginst Kochi, in the approach earning the orange cap for the highest scorer of IPL 4.

This ought to be a fascinating contest among evenly matched teams, with MI enjoying a slight edge owing to home advantage.