The second phase of the 2021 IPL season will begin with a match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) on September 19. Many fans feel that CSK are the favourites to win the match because MI generally fail to win their opening matches. But fans should mind that this will be the eighth game of the Mumbai Indians team in IPL 2021.
Mumbai Indians started their IPL 2021 season with a defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, but the two-time defending champions bounced back by registering four victories in their next six matches. Their last match in IPL 2021 happened against the Chennai Super Kings, where they won a high-scoring thriller. MI have the momentum on their side in their rivalry against Chennai Super Kings because last year, MI crushed CSK in their reverse fixture in the United Arab Emirates.
One more factor that favours the Mumbai Indians is the fact that the Chennai Super Kings might not have the services of two players who would have probably featured in the starting playing XI of the team. In this article today, we will have a look at the two key players, CSK might miss in their first match against the Mumbai Indians.
1. Faf du Plessis has suffered an injury before IPL 2021
The first name on this list is Chennai Super Kings’ star South African opener Faf du Plessis. The right-handed batsman recently participated in the 2021 edition of the Caribbean Premier League, where he played for the St. Lucia Kings. He has suffered a groin injury. It will be interesting to see if Faf makes it to the playing XI for the first match.
2. Sam Curran will be under quarantine during the match between CSK and Mumbai Indians
English all-rounder Sam Curran left late for the United Arab Emirates. The Chennai Super Kings star will have to quarantine for six days. Thus, it is unlikely that he will be a part of the Chennai Super Kings playing XI for the first match at least. If Curran misses out, CSK could give a game to Mitchell Santner or Josh Hazlewood. Santner is an all-rounder, while Hazlewood is a fast bowler.
