Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming enjoyed some epic battles as foes representing Australia and New Zealand. As players, and as captains the two went head to head in all forms of the game, and they are now set to continue those battles as head coaches of two exciting IPL franchises.
Fleming’s coached Chennai since the IPL’s inception, he knows the format, knows his players and has put together an incredible overall franchise record.
Ponting on the other hand is in his first year of IPL coaching and has pioneered a massive change in fortune for his Mumbai franchise. After losing their first four games the Indians’ have stormed back into contention and could surprise the slow finishing Super Kings.
The Ponting / Fleming storyline is a great sub-plot to the match which provides direct entry into the IPL final.
The Last Time These Two Met
The teams have split the two meetings in the Pepsi IPL. In the first encounter of the season in Mumbai, the Super Kings chased down 183 with three overs and six wickets in hand. However almost a month later Ambati Rayudu helped Mumbai even the ledger and chase down 158.
In terms of form, Mumbai probably enter the contest in the best space having won four of their last five to storm their way into the finals. They are red-hot.
But, CSK lead the playoff head to head by 4-1.
The Teams
Mumbai Indians (likely): 1 Lendl Simmons 2 Parthiv Patel (wk) 3 Rohit Sharma (capt) 4 Ambati Rayudu 5 Kieron Pollard 6 Hardik Pandya 7 Harbhajan Singh 8 J Suchith 9 Mitchell McClenaghan 10 Vinay Kumar 11 Lasith Malinga
We can’t imagine that Mumbai will change their team that has won four of their last five games. Although they do have Alex Hales at their disposal after the Englishman arrived on a short term contract.
Chennai Super Kings (likely): 1 Dwayne Smith 2 Michael Hussey 3 Suresh Raina 4 Faf du Plessis 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk) 6 Pawan Negi 7 Dwayne Bravo 8 Ravindra Jadeja 9 R Ashwin 10 Ashish Nehra 11 Mohit Sharma/Ishwar Pandey
Brendon McCullum has flown to England to be with the Black Caps test team. He’s likely to be replaced by Michael Hussey who had a run in the Super King’s last game of the season.
The Key Players
Lendl Simmons – Simmons has been immense for the Indians this season and just shades the unexpectedly successful Mitchell McCelenaghan as the key player. Simons has put together 407 runs from 11 knocks this season to back up his stellar 2014 IPL. He is quickly becoming one of the most consistent batman in the format and another good start from him here could go some way in delivering Mumbai another win.
Dwayne Bravo – Bravo’s twenty wickets in the 2015 edition of the IPL idoesn’t quite match his 32 form the 2013 edition but they have been arguably more important. Chennai have struggled to put together consistently big scores, yet they have still managed a competition best nine wins, and plenty of those wins have come courtesy of stifling bowling and fielding efforts. Bravo in particular has been crucial with ball in hand and in the field. Can he stop teammates Simmons and Pollard?
The Match Odds*
Mumbai Indians – $2.10
Chennai Super Kings – $1.72
*Courtesy of Bet365 Australia.
The Prediction
Chennai have all the big game experience and all the nous to deliver wins when it matters. Plenty of their performances this season have been below par, yet they keep getting W’s. That makes this match an interesting battle between stability and spontaneity. Between consistency and red-hot form. While we don’t think Chennai will go all the way this year we think they’ll take this one out by 14 runs or 3 wickets.
The Best Bets
Suresh Raina’s form is tough to ignore. We think he’ll top score for CSK @ $4.50.
For Mumbai, there are safer options but we fancy Pollard to top score @ $7.50. The money’s just too good to ignore, plus he scored 64 off 30 balls in the first meeting of the teams this year.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
