LSG vs MI Match Preview
While there have been no standout performers with the bat, the Lucknow Super Giants have batted well as a unit, which is a positive thing for them. The team has a strong opening pair in the form of Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock. Mayers had a brilliant start to the season but his form has dipped a bit in the last few matches.
LSG has not played Mayers in the last few matches but to leave such a proven match-winner out in an Eliminator may not be the right choice.
De Kock’s exploits in T20s are well-documented and LSG will be banking on him to play a big inning here. Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, and Nicholas Pooran make up for a strong middle order. We see the middle-order playing a massive role in this contest.
If the pitch is slow, players like Stoinis, Badoni, and Pooran will be instrumental in trying to get their team to an above-par total.
The bowling hasn’t been the biggest strength for the Super Giants this season. While Ravi Bishnoi has bowled well, the other spinners, including Krunal Pandya and Krishnappa Gowtham haven’t been that consistent. The seam bowling has been a hit or a miss, as Yash Thakur and Naveen ul-Haq haven’t been able to take too many wickets.
Ishan Kishan has been striking the ball well at the top of the order, scoring 3 half-centuries. The fans will also be delighted to see Rohit Sharma finally among the runs as he scored a half-century in the last match. The middle-order batting had been one of the strong points for the Mumbai Indians this season as Suryakumar Yadav and Cameron Green are playing extremely well.
Tim David and Nehal Wadhera have played some good cameos and they add depth to the batting.
There are no two ways about it. MI has the strongest batting lineup and backs itself to simply outscore the opposition. A slow surface in Chennai could test its lineup but we have faith in the likes of SKY and David to find a way.
Talking about the bowling, Piyush Chawla has been the pick of the bowlers with 20 wickets. Chris Jordan hasn’t been in the best of forms with the new ball, but Jason Behrendorff has done well so far. Depending on the conditions, MI may be tempted to leave Behrendorff out. Jordan bowled well at the death in the previous match but he could be cannon-fodder to the likes of Stoinis and Pooran.
Akash Madhwal is shaping up to be a good bowler at the death and will play a vital role here.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to remain warm and humid with temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has produced some high-scoring encounters this season and is generally considered good to bat on. However, the last few matches show that the pitch is slowing down a bit and the batsmen will need to get their eye in before they can start playing the big shots. The quicker bowlers will need to bowl a good line and length or they will be punished. The spinners can expect some turn here.
Notable stats
Piyush Chawla’s Excellent Bowling
Piyush Chawla has made a great comeback in the IPL and is the leading wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians this season. He has picked up 15 wickets in his last 10 outings and has a bowling strike rate of 15.20.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
LSG vs MI Probable 11
LSG Playing 11
- Kyle Mayers
- Quinton de Kock (Wk)
- Prerak Mankad
- Marcus Stoinis
- Nicholas Pooran
- Krunal Pandya (C)
- Ayush Badoni
- Krishnappa Gowtham
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Avesh Khan
- Mohsin Khan
MI Playing 11
- Ishan Kishan (Wk)
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Cameron Green
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tim David
- Nehal Wadhera
- Chris Jordan
- Piyush Chawla
- Jason Behrendorff
- Kumar Kartikeya
- Akash Madhwal
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Mumbai Indians to win here. While both teams have had some hits and misses this season, we think that the Mumbai Indians have a better balance in their team and are well-placed to exploit the conditions here. The Lucknow Super Giants are likely to struggle a bit here, especially with the bowling.
Top Picks
Suryakumar Yadav: After a slow start, Suryakumar Yadav has picked up some excellent form over the last few weeks. He averages 42.58 this season and has an incredible strike rate of 185.14.
Cameron Green: Green hit a century in the last match and is hitting the ball well. He has scored a total of 381 runs at a strike rate of 159.41 and has also picked up 6 wickets.
Marcus Stoinis: Stoinis is in a belligerent mood this season and is the highest scorer for the LSG. He has scored 368 runs at a strike rate of 150.20 and has scored 3 half-centuries in the process.
LSG vs MI Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Q de Kock, N Pooran, I Kishan
Batters: S Yadav (C)
All-rounders: M Stoinis, C Green (VC), K Pandya
Bowlers: P Chawla, R Bishnoi, J Behrendorff, A Madhwal
