IPL 2017 KKR vs MI: MI Team Looks Strong But There Are Gaps

#IPL #IPL 2017

#Indian #Premier #League

Going into #IPL 2017 as one of the favourites, two-time #IPL #Champions Mumbai Indians (#MI) did not get off to the most auspicious start as they lost their first match of the season against Rising Pune Supergiants (#RPS) by seven wickets. The bowlers leaked plenty of runs and the fielding wasn't up to the mark as Steve Smith led Pune to a huge victory. 

Mumbai, now take on two-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (#KKR) at the historic #Wankhede today. At least three changes are expected in the MI XI from their last match as their batsman, #AmbatiRayudu, is ruled out of the match with a grade 1 groin tear and the team is set to bring back two of their seasoned campaigners, #HarbhajanSingh and #LasithMalinga. 

Probable playing XI for Mumbai Indians:

#JosButtler to open the batting with #ParthivPatel.

#RohitSharma, who was out of action since October, returned to action last week when Mumbai Indians took on RPS.  

#NitishRana followed by #AllRounders #HardikPandya and #KrunalPandya have a huge role to play. 

#KieronPollard has been a proven match-winner for Mumbai Indians over the last few years. 

Bowling will be led by #MitchellMcClenaghan, #HarbhajanSingh and #LasithMalinga. #JaspreetBumrah has a huge role to play for his franchise this season. Bumrah and Malinga bowling in tandem in the death will make life difficult for the opposition batsmen.

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MI Are New IPL Champs - Decimate CSK To Lift The Cup

#CSK vs #MI
#IPLFinal
#EdenGardens #Kolkata
24th May 2015

In an amazing display of determination and courage throughout the season, #MI completed a fairytale ending to this year's IPL season defeating a lacklustre #CSK by 41 runs to lift the cup for a second time.

Asked to bat first (first of the multiple blunders committed by CSK), they put on a strong 202 for 5 in 20 overs thanks to a stunning blitzkrieg by Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma. Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu played the end game to perfection to smash the hapless and hopeless CSK bowling all over the park. At one stage they even looked to get 220-230 but were pulled back a bit.

Chasing this massive score, the one team that had potential to do it was CSK with their batting lineup. But, it looked as if they had surrendered already and their batsman crawled in the initial overs. That was remarkable batting to play steadily when chasing that big a target. No one stood counted and they capitulated to 161 for 8 in 20 overs.

Big celebrations for Mumbai and they will come next year to defend their crown.
For CSK, this was their 6th final. They have won it twice as well but this was abject surrender to some really disciplined and determined Mumbai heroes.

#LIVE #SCORE
MI - 202 for 5
CSK - 161 for 8

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CSK vs MI - Who Will Win IPL Final

#CSK vs #MI
#IPLFinal
#EdenGardens #Kolkata
24th May 2015

After 6 weeks of absolute "dhamaal (fun)" on the field and some scorching cricketing action, its all come down to this day! The day of the #IPL Final...

Two teams, certainly not at their best, have made it there (owing to some poor performances from other teams) and will vie for the coveted trophy at the #Eden #Gardens in #Kolkata tonight.

On the one hand, "Team Consistent" #CSK will be gunning for a hat trick of trophies (they won in 2010, 2011 and finished runner-up in 3 other finals) while on the other #MI will be looking to emulate their 2013 success (they had won defeating CSK)

On a head to head comparison, there is pretty much nothing to choose.
Games played between the two teams: 21
MI Wins - 11, CSK Wins - 10
Its that close...

And while MI have been at best mercurial and topsy-turvy in this tournament, they have gained momentum at the perfect moment to go all the way. What also goes in their favour is they are the only side to trouble and lead CSK on head-to-head contest wins. Something brings out the best in them against the most balanced and consistent team of IPL over 8 seasons!

Having said that, do not discount #WhistlePodu boys. They have been there, done that on many occasions and can change gear very quickly. Skipper #Dhoni has had a silent IPL and these moments brings out the best in him. If that happens, he can turn games around from any situation and inspire his boys to do the same. Such is his aura and capability.

Man to Man comparison is a very interesting read as well

1. Lendl Simmons/Parthiv Patel  vs Mike Hussey/Dwayne Smith
MI hold the edge here. Their opening pair has been instrumental in getting MI to the finals with some amazing consistent performances off-late. Steady starts to lay foundation for the big boys down the order has been MI's recipe for success. Don't discount Hussey and Smith though. Hussey's super innings against RCB in Qualifier2 was a lesson for youngsters. In McCullum's big absence, Smith can "tee-off" from ball 1 as well.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Faf Du Plessis
Evenly matched on form. Rohit more classical but Faf more all round with his fielding abilities.

3. Kieron Pollard vs Suresh Raina
Again, MI hold the edge here on form and all round ability. Raina hasn't played a blinder of a knock this season .. just yet. Could it be his day. If it is, MI will suffer badly.

4. Ambati Rayudu vs MS Dhoni
Surprise, surprise ... MI slightly ahead here too. Rayudu has finished games, MS hasn't but we all know what he can do? and this is his business end. He gets dangerously professional here.

5. Hardik Pandya vs Pavan Negi
Two terrific youngsters vying for the best new comer award, looking to outdo the other. Both have played match winning knocks. Can they withstand pressure of a #IPL Final?

6. Jagdeesh Suchith vs Dwayne Bravo
The calyso guru is at the height of his game. Bravo edges out the youngster by some distance.

7. Vinay Kumar vs Mohit Sharma
Both have struggled really and need to pull up a gear

8. Harbhajan Singh vs Ravi Ashwin
This is going one heck of a contest! Both are in sublime form. Bhajji is the eternal effervescent himself and Ashwin the disciplined tactician. Wow.. this is definitely a contest within a contest

9. Mitch McClaneghan/ Lasith Malinga vs Ashish Nehra/Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja is the odd one out in this comparison but he seems to be the "odd" one out in the CSK outfit too. Woefully out of form, he has been a liability for that team. The other three have been in super form off late. Malinga has caught up well after a poor start but Nehra and McClenaghan (since he was brought in half way through the tournament) have been good right through.  

Its that close with MI holding slight edge on form and momentum.
Its all to play for today. May the best team win. All the best

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MI Crush CSK To Enter IPL Final

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

A superb all round performance from Mumbai Indians​ ensured they qualified for the IPL - Indian Premier League​ final beating Chennai Super Kings​ by 26 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

Watched by a sea of blue MI fans, they batted and bowled CSK out of the game easily. Their openers put another sterling show by setting up 90 for the opening stand to lay foundation for #Pollard to play his usual cameos to end with a flourish and set a challenging 188 run target for CSK to win.

After a lucky horror decision against Dwayne Smith and accounting for Mike Hussey, Faf Du Plessis and Suresh Raina momentarily steadied the ship and looked threatening. It all ended in one dramatic and special Harbhajan Singh​ over. He claimed wickets of Suresh Raina​ and MS Dhoni​ off consecutive deliveries firmly turned tide in their favor.

The middle and late order batsmen tried hard but the target was beyind them.

MI will head to Kolkata for the IPL final (24th May 2015) and await winner of Qualifier 2, scheduled for 22nd May 2015 in Ranchi. CSK will now play that game against winners of the Eliminator (#RCB or #RR).

#LIVE #SCORES
MI - 187 for 6, 20 overs
CSK - 162 all out, 19 overs 

Man of the Match: #Kieron #Pollard

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Pollard Cameo Helps MI Set 189 Target For CSK

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

A stunning 17 ball 41 by #KieronPollard has helped #MI set a formidable target of 188 against #CSK. After 17 overs, CSK had pulled back the MI innings wonderfully through #Bravo and #Nehra.

But the last three overs belonged to Pollard.
He ripped into the CSK seamers - Bravo and Mohit to leapfrog their total to 188.
46 runs came off the last 3 overs.

Over 18 - 15 runs
Over 19 - 15 runs
Over 20 - 16 runs.

Massive damage done.
A couple of iffy decisions on wides cost CSK a bit, though.
MS Dhoni seemed disappointed and talked to umpire Dharmasena about it.

So, how does this pan out now?
188 in 20 overs. Can CSK pull this off? or will MI restrict them?
Game on... 

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