Wounded Chennai to come out firing against Mumbai

Port Elizabeth:

Stung by their two-wicket loss at the hand of Royal Challengers Bangalore, a wounded Chennai Super Kings would come out all guns blazing against Mumbai Indians in a bid to advance towards their semifinal goal in the Indian Premier League here on Saturday.

Chennai would be fired up to cash on Mumbai Indians' weakness of buckling g under pressure, especially with every match being crucial for the eight teams.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men are sitting pretty at the second spot with 13 points in their kitty from 11 matches while Sachin Tendulkar has a tough task in his hands with mere 11 points from their 12 appearances in the high-profile tournament so far.

Chennai, who lost to Mumbai in the tournament opener, look in a stronger position in Saturday's encounter despite its unimpressive fielding but surely boasts of a strong batting line-up which also runs deep with the likes of Australian swashbuckler Matthew Hayden, Suresh Raina, Dhoni, Jacob Oram and S Badrinath in their ranks.

Their bowling department is also studded with world's highest wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and greenhorn Shahdab Jakati, who is proving very effective for the side.

Chennai would also have a reason to approach the match with a relaxed mindset as they would still have two more chances to score enough points and make the last four stage as they round off their league campaign with matches against tournament laggards Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.

Mumbai, on their part, would be under pressure as none of their tactics paid off against Rajasthan Royals yesterday with Shane Warne-led side edging outing them by two runs.

With frequent chopping and changing in their batting order, Mumbai's star studded line up buckled under pressure in the last few matches.

But Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya along with JP Duminy, Dwayne Bravo and Abhishek Nayar would be expected to go all guns blazing to pull off tomorrow's affair in their favour.

Their bowling department, led by star bowlers Lasitha Malinga and Harbhajan Singh, will also have to rise to the occasion in the need of the hour.

With pressure already being their weakness, Mumbai will be further burried under the huge load of tackling the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday and Delhi Daredevils in their subsequent encounter.

"We have got big teams to play. We have got Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils who are on the top. It will not be easy and it is a big task for us. We need to help ourselves. We need to get those 15 points to see us through," admitted Mumbai's chief mentor Shaun Pollock after losing against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday.