IPL 4 Preview: Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings

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

On present form, MI are among the strongest teams of this year's edition, even though Chennai are searching a lot 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 top of the order, and followed by Rayudu, Sharma, Symonds and Pollard. Even so, 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 beneficial to compensate.

Malinga remains the major 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 over-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, although Pollard is another bowler who can fill into a component-time bowling slot.

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

CSK's primary concern has been in the inconsistency in the bowling department. Even though Bollinger's arrival will need to ease that be concerned somewhat, the Aussie bowler will require some extra time in the middle prior to 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 alternatives, and bring wide variety to the attack.

Even though Dhoni is amore astute captain, Tendulkar has led from the front, scoring runs in every game, such as a century aginst Kochi, in the approach earning the orange cap for the highest scorer of IPL 4.

This will need to be a fascinating contest among evenly matched teams, with MI enjoying a slight edge owing to property benefit.