May 12: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, 59th Match, Wankhede Stadium
Safe XI: Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Devon Conway (capt), Tim David (vice-capt), Tilak Varma, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo, Jasprit Bumrah, M Ashwin, Maheesh Theekshana
Captain: Devon Conway
The overseas opener and CSK bond has been strengthened by Devon Conway after stars like Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis built the foundation. He has been in sublime form recording scores of 87(49), 56(37) and 85(55) in his last three outings. He has especially shown no mercy to spinners, scoring 114 runs at a strike rate of 196.55 with just one dismissal.
Vice-captain: Tim David
One of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball, Tim David will try to maximise his scoring against an indifferent CSK death bowling attack. Contrary to popular belief, since 2021 in T20s, he averages more against spin (40.88) than against pace (27.90)
Hot Picks
Ishan Kishan: Ishan Kishan has found his feet in recent games with scores of 51 and 45. Against Super Kings, he has scored 170 runs in seven outings at a healthy average of 34. He has scored 174 runs in 11 innings in powerplay this IPL, while getting out only thrice.
Dwayne Bravo: The West Indian is the leading wicket-taker for Super Kings this season, with 16 scalps in nine games. No bowler has taken more wickets against Mumbai than Bravo in the IPL - 33 wickets in 21 games at an average of 18.18. He has also been prolific at the Wankhede Stadium, picking up 26 wickets in 18 games, including five wickets this season in two games.
Differential Picks
Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai captain might not be in the best of forms this season, but when it comes to Wankhede Stadium, he is expected to score runs. He is the highest run-scorer in T20s at this venue with 1990 runs in 69 games at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 134.82. His recent scores in this venue are 39, 71, 55, 24, 28 and 47.
Maheesh Theekshana: One of the contenders for the emerging player award this season, Theekshana has taken 12 wickets in eight games for Super Kings. He is the leading wicket-taker for spinners in powerplay this season with six scalps in eight innings.
High Risk XI: Ishan Kishan (capt), Rohit Sharma, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo (vice-capt), Jasprit Bumrah, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Karthikeya.