IPL 2021: Will Sam Curran play along side MS Dhoni in upcoming CSK vs MI match?

Chennai Super Kings preparation for the second phase of IPL 2021 has been in full swing ever since landing in UAE. The opening day of the IPL 2021 UAE leg will start with the CSK vs MI clash and the Men in yellow would want to make a winning start to the second leg. However, ahead of the blockbuster match, there are still doubts over the availability of one of the key CSK members for the CSK vs MI match. The cricketer we are talking about is England cricketer Sam Curran who landed in UAE on Wednesday. The all-rounder's chance of joining the team on arrival looks bleak due to quarantine rule in the country.   

Sam Curran likely to miss the CSK vs MI match 

According to the Insidesport report, Sam Curran is likely to miss the CSK vs MI match as he will have to undergo 6 days of quarantine which will rule him out of the opening fixture of the second leg. As per the IPL 2021 guideline, all the players must undergo mandatory quarantine of 6 days at the team hotel before entering the bubble. Curran has been an important member for the CSK team due to his exploits with both bat and ball and his absence might hurt MS Dhoni's team in the first match at least. The England allrounder's recent outing was the test series against India.

Faf du Plessis injury report

CSK is also like tom is the services of former South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis who recently suffered yet another injury that has put his participation in the tournament under serious doubt. du Plessis suffered a groin injury before the start of St Lucia Kings vs Barbados Royals match forcing him to miss the CPL tie. The seriousness of the injury is yet to be known. The South African cricketer played a crucial role for CSK in the first leg of IPL 2021 which was held in India. The opener scored 320 runs in 7 matches at an average of 64.00. Faf's highest individual score in IPL 2021 was 95 not-out, which came against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 15th match of the season. 

CSK vs MI Head-to-Head

CSK and MI have played each other a total of 31 times, out of which MI have won 19 matches and CSK won 12 matches. They have a combined of eight IPL titles among them out of the 13 seasons. Both the teams are considered to be the best teams statistically in the IPL, since its inaugural edition in 2008. MI clearly have the upper hand in terms of victories over CSK and have five IPL winning titles to their name under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. On the other hand, CSK led by MS Dhoni have won it a total of three times in 2010, 2011, and 2018. While MI have clinched the title in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. The matches between both these giants are considered as the Indian version of ‘El Classico’ by the Indian cricket fans.