Former Team India bowler Ravichandran Ashwin shared an update on MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma ahead of the upcoming match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Ashwin said that both the players will not play in the IPL match to be held on Saturday, May 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Chennai Super Kings have six points from eight matches with three wins and recently lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by eight wickets. Mumbai Indians have four points from eight matches with two wins and recently allowed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to chase 244 with eight balls to spare at the Wankhede Stadium.
Ravichandran Ashwin provides update on availability of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin shared his assessment about the fitness of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Ashwin said that Dhoni is unlikely to play and also cast doubt on Rohit’s return for Mumbai Indians.
Ashwin said, “I don’t know about Rohit Sharma, but Dhoni will not play 100 percent, I do not think so. He can also surprise because he is that kind of person, but I do not think Dhoni will play.”
He said, “I think Rohit will also not play, but this is a good opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav to get back in form because he will not get a better wicket to bat on.”
Dhoni has not played in every match of Chennai Super Kings this season while recovering from a calf muscle strain. Rohit has missed four consecutive Mumbai Indians matches after suffering a hamstring injury against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Chennai should lock Sarfaraz Khan at No. 3 – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin urged Ruturaj Gaikwad to fix Sarfaraz Khan at number three in the batting order of Chennai Super Kings. He advised the team to stop using Sarfaraz only as an impact option and praised his consistent batting performances in this IPL season.
Ashwin said, “The only thing I am saying is that Chennai should keep Sarfaraz Khan at No. 3. Don’t keep him under influence because he has been your best batsman this season apart from Sanju Samson. So, fix him at No. 3. If you lose early wickets, use Akeal Hosein or any other lower-order batsman who can bat.”
“Don’t waste your middle-order batsmen. Mumbai have a very good chance to try one or two youngsters. They have a chance to try one or two new guys and Chennai have a chance to continue with their combination. If Chennai wins, there is a possibility of making it tight. My pick is Chennai: Mumbai at 52-48.”
I don’t think Mumbai is in any firing order – Ravichandran Ashwin
During a conversation with journalist Vimal Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin backed Chennai Super Kings as clear favorites for the match. He criticized the current bowling form of Mumbai Indians and said that they will have to improve rapidly to stop Chennai’s batting lineup.
“CSK have six points, and MI have four points. There is a lot of pressure on Chennai, but as far as I am concerned, there is not that much pressure on Mumbai. Because I don’t think Mumbai are in any firing order, they are not bowling well, nor are they able to put enough scores on the board. Chennai can bat and bowl as well and win this game.”
“But if Mumbai have to win this game, they will have to bowl well somehow. They have to find a way to restrict the opponent to 180-190. If they can do that, then maybe they have a good chance. I think the par score is between 200 and 210. Chennai will be the favorites for this game.”
In their previous meeting on April 23, Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 103 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Meanwhile, the Hardik Pandya-led side will be hoping to make a comeback and keep their playoff hopes alive.
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