MI VS CSK VS RR VS RCB

The classic battle of fortunes

 

The IPL is finally into the final four stage and now is the time when bars will be raised, performances will be notched up and teams will be ready to up the ante to grab the coveted trophy.

The teams which have made it to the playoffs are mostly the ones which were expected. CSK has made qualifying for the playoffs a habit since the inauguration of IPL. 

MI is giving heart attacks to their fans since the last 3 years. They seem to start below ground level but slowly and slyly they rise up the ladder. They are like the giants who wake up and realize they have a lot of catching up to do and then they go on destroying almost everything and anything that comes in their way. 

 

RR are those students who are always on time, obey their teachers, study everything but still are never able to score good marks. Since the inaugural triumph their journey has been a roller coaster of sorts. Every year they look like they will make the final cut but then a sudden collapse during the business end of the tournament sends them out. This year too they started brilliantly by winning 5 back to back matches but after that they were able to win only 2 of the 9 matches they played.

The playoff kicks off today with the battle of CSK VS MI. The match will be a high pressure game as both teams look into making into the finals. The loser will get another chance and have a shot at glory.

CSK have an opening problem at their disposal. Dwayne Smith seems to have magically lost his form and their inform player Brendon McCullum will be answering his call for national duty. Dwayne Bravo has been in great form for CSK, being the purple cap holder for taking the highest no. of wickets so far on IPL8. His variations with the ball and excellent fielding skills may win CSK a close game

MI do have a stable opening pair as Simmons and Parthiv both look in decent touch and have given their team good starts consistently. MI might be concerned with the lack of consistency in Parthiv as he always starts his innings on a high note and then suddenly loses the plot. Pollard is in great touch with bat and is now coming into his own in the bowling skills too. Harbhajan has been the go to bowler for MI and Rohit will hope that the offie can strangle the likes of Rainas and Dhonis. The fielding may be a concern for Johnty Rhodes as they have dropped catches lately.

The only thing that can be expected from today’s game is that it will be high voltage one and fans can expect a few verbal exchanged as both Bravo and Pollard don’t believe in holding back. Gear up and fasten your seat belts the battle begins today!