Chennai primed for success despite defending champions’ record
Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have been the best sides in the history of the IPL and they have been supremely consistent. At the end of the first half of this 2021 edition, both teams found themselves in the top four.
CSK were quite steady in the first half of the tournament. The MS Dhoni-led side ended up with five wins from seven games and had a net run rate of +1.263 which put them on the second spot on the points table. CSK have winning odds of 1.89.
Meanwhile, MI got out of jail in a couple of those games and defended a few low totals excellently. Overall, they won four and lost three and are currently fourth on the points table. Moreover, they have a superior head-to-head record against Chennai and their winning odds are placed at 1.81.
Overall and recent records favour Mumbai
Mumbai Indians are ahead on the head to head count and have won 19 encounters. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have 12 wins over the five-time champions. Mumbai Indians were victorious in their meeting earlier this season.
RECOMMENDED BET Although the overall records favour Mumbai, Chennai have demonstrated remarkable steadiness this season. Mumbai have been poor starters in general, thus giving Chennai odds of 1.89 to win this game.
This season, both sides are in the top four after the first half. The focus will be on how they adapt to the conditions in the UAE and once again regroup as a team.
Keep an eye on…
Moeen Ali: The England off-spinning all-rounder was superb in the first half of this IPL 2021. He took five wickets and scored 206 runs while striking at 157.25
Kieron Pollard: Pollard loves batting against CSK and he has amassed 554 runs at an average of 39.57 and a strike-rate of 175.32. He also smashed a brutal 87 not out to win MI the game earlier this season against them.
