Suresh Raina says that Mumbai Indians have an upper hand on Chennai Super Kings led MS Dhoni. The reason is …

Former India cricketer and four-time IPL winner Suresh Raina believes that Mumbai Indians (MI), with their combined power-hitlers, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, there is a significant lead over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the match between two teams again, which is played in the Vanched Stadium on Sunday evening. CSK won MI by four wickets in his season’s opener at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 23 March. But after that, both teams have obtained five IPL trophies, which are at the bottom of each point table – in the seventh place Mi and CS are rooted in the place below.

“MI looks very strong, very strong. He won a very good game in Delhi. Against the top-order of CSK, the role of Trent Bault will be important because he bowls a good line and is a good yorker. Tilak Verma is in the form of a separate gun. So, here I think Mi has CSK.

“This game is important for both teams because the matches they win from now on will help them climb on the numeral table. It is a very important match for CSK, as MI is already coming after victory. If CSK wins, the league stage pool will be very interesting.”

Raina also felt CSK’s bowling attack, which was shaped by left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmed (12 wickets), left-handed pacer Khalil Ahmed (11 wickets), and right-arm fast-bouler Mathhesh Pathirana, which was shaped as important data for his success against MI. “Those who can prove to be a true ace for CSK -Dukka players are Mathesh Pathirana and Khalel Ahmed.”

“It should not be forgotten, the way Noor Ahmed has bowled, because you will see Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Rohit Sharma – they all play a lot of sweep shots. Therefore, their strength in the middle overs is wrong, as well as ‘UN’ can slip into a slider. So, they have to play a little carefully from there.”

At the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians have won seven times against CSK, while the IPL is suffering five defeats in the Games.

He said, “I remember that whenever we played in Wankhede, the toss used to be very important. Power-play of six overs, whether you are defending the target or set, is very important to bat very well in those six overs,” he said.

“If you lose one wicket in six overs on this wicket, whether a total of 70, 80, or 90, which better handles pressure with five trophies between these two teams, will be the key to each. But as I said, Mi’s upper hand on CSK,” Raina said.

He also said that CSK’s batting order has not shown the intention and desire necessary to reduce the number of dot balls. According to Cricket -21 data, CSK has played 297 dot balls, which is slightly lower than KKR’s 301 dot balls. But in terms of per limit and limit percentage balls, CSK is the worst team with figures of 6.6 and 51.71 percent respectively.

“I think the intention is missing because we are losing a lot of wickets in power-play, and CSK is playing a lot of dot ball. They should have at least dot to play balls and are looking to rotate the strike. When you are batting in the first six overs, you have to work hard in the power play.”

“Then the game will change from 7-14 overs, where you can identify the bowler to hit fours and sixes, as well as use your speed and work hard between wickets. You have to play a small dot ball, and if CSK has to defeat MI, they will have to play their game.”

Punjab Kings vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore at 3:30 pm and Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at 7:30 pm on Sunday, from April 20-27 at an electrification IPL 2025 Revenge Week, live and especially on GeoTar and Star Sports Network, live and especially.

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