Mumbai Indians, Super Kings brace for another chapter of storied rivalry

Dhoni returns to lead CSK in crucial IPL match, facing MI on a slow turner pitch at Wankhede.

For most of the pre-match days at Chepauk, he usually enters the ground in the latter half of Chennai Super Kings’ practice session. On Saturday, though, he walked down the famed stairs of the  Wankhede Stadium soon after the batters started a range-hitting streak and had a gentle jog with the team physio Tommy Simsek.

As he returns to lead the men in yellow, M.S. Dhoni will be expected to sprint to a cameo and give the CSK  campaign a much-needed boost at the start of the latter half of the IPL.

While Dhoni will continue to be in the limelight in the marquee clash between the two most successful IPL teams, both the camps will be eager for a convincing win to switch gears into the league.

Both teams have been languishing in the bottom half at the halfway stage. Despite notching a win in their last games, neither outfit appears to be a settled lot that’s ready to challenge for a place in the Playoffs yet.

The pitch, though, will be in focus, with Thursday’s strip being a tacky, slow turner. With the adjacent strip that saw a run-feast against Royal Challengers Bengaluru being used, fans can hope for a six-hitting contest.

Karn Sharma, the MI leggie, is all but ruled out after having split his webbing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The home team will thus be banking on Will Jacks’ offspin to stifle yet another left-handed top-order.

CSK will be tempted to field Dewald Brevis, who joined the camp on Saturday, considering his familiarity with the conditions and the desperation  to infuse aggression in its batting order.