Mumbai: DISABLED by the absence of their first gallant party Brendon McCullum, Chennai Super Kings in the Indian high flight from Mumbai will face in what promises to be a high-octane first qualifier the IPL cricket tournament at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.
A shock such restrictions is not on the table between the two former champions as the prize of victory would be a direct place in the tournament T20 final at the Garden of Eden, on 24 May.
It is not a knock-out for losers too, as they will have a second chance to enter the summit clash by adopting the winners of the May 20 Eliminator in Pune between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second qualifier in Ranchi May 22.
Two-time winners in Super Kings will have to forge a new opening combination in the game of high pressure after the departure of McCullum to play in the Test series against England starting on May 21.
The New Zealander, who tested his country at the World Cup recently, has been the higher order fulcrum, along with the West Indies Dwayne Smith (325 runs) with a figure of 436 races? Highest to his side – to his credit with his belligerent stroke play.
Veteran Australian batsman Michael Hussey had opened with McCullum in Mohali, without much success tasting the victory of one side the Super Kings.
, It is expected Hussey undercooked now, with the experience that only six ball against his name to launch the West Indies innings with Smith against the potent new ball attack MI Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan.
Malinga and left armer McClenaghan – easily the find of the season for me with your swing, pace and bounce – have forged a deadly combination, grabbing 19 and 14 wickets respectively.
Luckily for me, McClenaghan is available to play as he is part of New Zealand ODI squad against England.
With Hussey still finding their feet, the pressure would be Smith, South Africa Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to give the push against a MI varied and incisive attack in which the experienced Harbhajan Singh and Suchith are impressive Jagadeesha bowl of middle overs.
MI batting, however, has taken a well-established aspect and would be difficult to stop once it starts on a track that usually encourages aggressive stroke play.
