IPL 6: Qualifier 1 – CSK vs MI – A statistical preview
When it comes to head-to-head encounters between the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, it is the latter who hold the distinct edge, as they have won 8 of the 13 matches played between the two teams.
Even this season, in the two matches between these two teams, it is Mumbai Indians who emerged victorious on both occasions. In the first meeting at Chennai, MI posted a spirited target of 148 on the board and then restricted the hosts to 139 for nine, winning by nine runs. While in the reverse fixture held at Mumbai, Mumbai Indians posted a target of 139 and then dismissed CSK for 79 – their lowest total in the history of IPL – to win by a huge margin of 60 runs.
Interestingly though, despite their poor record against the Mumbai Indians, CSK has always won the matches that mattered the most. They defeated the Mumbai Indians in the IPL final in 2010, and brought the Mumbai Indians’ campaign in 2011 to a halt by defeating them in the Eliminator.
On Saturday, Lasith Malinga became the first bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets. Amit Mishra of Sunrisers Hyderabad, with 94 wickets, is closing in on Malinga.
The following stat highlights the importance of Mike Hussey for CSK. Of the 12 times Michael Hussey has scored 50 or more, CSK have gone on to win 11 matches.
Of the Mumbai Indians’ pack, Pragyan Ojha stands out while playing against CSK; in 11 matches, he has 18 wickets at an economy rate of 5.89.
CSK skipper MS Dhoni might be good at winning matches with his leadership skills, but when it comes to the toss, he is not so lucky. This season he has won the toss only seven times in 16 matches for CSK. Overall, he has won the toss in only 43 of the 94 matches he has led CSK in IPL.
What’s next in store for teams: There is a lot at stake for both the teams as the winner will progress straight to the final on May 26. But fans need not worry, as the loser in this match will have a second bite of the cherry to make it to the final when they face the winner of the other Eliminator (Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad) on May 24.