A. 1. The chennai top order is stacked with world-class batsmen and power-hitters. Inclusion of Badri , as far as I am concerned is meaningless, until and unless they are looking for someone who can anchor the innings when the likes of Dhoni, Bravo, Morkel or Vijay are firing from the other end. Anirudha can turn the heat on if needed and we have seen that in the last few IPLs. I would go for Srikkanth in these circumstances. 2.Why not mate? With a scintillating match winning knock at the top, he deserves another chance. And if delivers again, the match is OVER and OUT within the first 10 overs :)

A. Badrinath finds place in playing eleven and it is a good decision of Chennai as he is more reliable in crucial situation. As today Mumbai will chase possibly a big total as per me Franklin will be right choice to open as he is more experienced and Smith, Raidu playing comeos in chasing will be more fruitful.

A. 1. Badrinath ahs a good track record in IPl than anirudha Srikant. Moreover he is able to perform at any stag and any number as per the requirement of the team. He is a also a good fielder in the team. So he has an upper hand compare to Anirudha due to just the experience in the IPL. 2. Mumbai is doing experiments all the seasons to find a good opener. They found many and lost all. It seems that Mumbai is too much conceous and making too much changes in the opening pair. It just not disturb the Great Sachin but the whole team suffers. Dwayne is also a good player but success is not guarantee with him at opening each and every time. Mumbai finds him in last match but in my view Gibbs should perform at opening due to his experience and explosiveness he had. though Dwayne is performing great in last match as an opener but he is still not a good choice to be open in a crucial match like this.

A. 1- Chennai have good batting order likes of Hussey Murli, Raina and Dhoni who can score fast. Badrinath to me looks like a player for emergency, who in crisis can help his side. In case Chennai looses wickets in quick succession Badrinath is mature and experienced to handle pressure of Malinga and Harbhjan and can consolidate inning. So he should definitely be included in playing eleven over Shrikanth. 2- The match is being played at Bengaluru, looking at the aggregates total of the matches played here gives indication that all matches have been high scoring. Smith got two chance and he has proved his worth, he was very comfortable when he opened inning against Royals and so Smith should continue to do so, especially at Bengaluru. If he gets going Rohit and Raidu to follow, Mumbai will not look back.

A. 1- Chennai have good batting order likes of Hussey Murli, Raina and Dhoni who can score fast. Badrinath to me looks like a player for emergency, who in crisis can help his side. In case Chennai looses wickets in quick succession Badrinath is mature and experienced to handle pressure of Malinga and Harbhjan and can consolidate inning. So he should definitely be included in playing eleven over Shrikanth. 2- The match is being played at Bengaluru, looking at the aggregates total of the matches played here gives indication that all matches have been high scoring. Smith got two chance and he has proved his worth, he was very comfortable when he opened inning against Royals and so Smith should continue to do so, especially at Bengaluru. If he gets going Rohit and Raidu to follow, Mumbai will not look back.

A. To Answer query 1 ) Team Chennai Team principal Gurunath has said that Srikkanth has a collar bone injury and will be out for six weeks, so he will surely not play. But the question is as the game is in Bangalore and generally the bat has dominated the ball here, Team Chennai MIGHT be tempted to bring in an extra bowler, if they want to pick a batsman Badrinath is their best best. dwayne Bravo was playing the sheet Anchor role if there is an early wicket and because of that Team Chennai were missing a powerful hitter down the order. Badrinath has been doing the Sheet Anchor role for Team Chennai VERY well for the past 5 seasons, it gives Dhoni more OPTIONS to tweak his batting order as per the situation of the game. If an early wicket or two fall Bardinath is the Ideal batsman to consolidate and lay the platform for BIG hitters like Dhoni Morkel and Bravo to smash it towards the end. If Team Chennai do not lose any wickets in 1st 10 overs or so, Badri will be demoted down the order, which he has been many a time but that has worked very well for Team Chennai also. Their record speaks for itself in that regard.We all know MSD loves to have options to play with depending on the situation of the game. Hence Badrinath should play today. 2) Gibbs was rested for the last game and should come back, given Smith did VERY well vs Team Jaipur but in crunch games you need specialists to do the job. Gibbs is someone who relishes the CRUNCH games - the 438 game vs Aus and IPL 2 Finals come to mind. Gibbs should replace franklin in the team. Anyhow IF Gibbs gets out early Smith can come in at one down as they need an attacking player with Sachin who generally anchors the innings for Team Mumbai, given the batting line up Team Mumbai has they can play the game according to the situation. One needs to remember that after Gibbs started opening with Sachin then only their opening combination looked settled, else they had 5-6 different opening combinations during this IPL with Levi Franklin etc which haven't worked at all. Team Mumbai will be VERY difficult to beat when their top order is settled. Hoping that we have a cracker of a match between team Mumbai and Team Chennai !

A. 1) Yes, he is the experienced player in the team chennai. And he can handle the pressure situation when needed by the team. Played the 2 most number of matches to chennai next to raina. Will be eyeing to make a mark in this match and help in team chennai's victory. 2) Yes, Team mumbai has tried 8 opening combinations so far. But the one which clicked was Dwayne and Sachin partnership. They also made a highest opening stand in the history of IPL by beating hussey and vijay partnership. On the other hand Dwayne smith opened couple of times for WI team as well. So he has the temperament and ability to attack the bowlers. He will provide a support to Sachin in many ways

A. 1. First off, CSK has no choice with Srikkanth Junior out for 6 weeks with a collarbone injury. Even if there was a choice, it should be Badri coming in for the following reasons: a. In a high stakes match, absorbing pressure well will be key to success. Badri's experience in previous play-off matches over four years and calm thinking will be invaluable to CSK. b. His steady batting is required in a batting line-up laden with aggressive strokeplayers. c. If an early wicket were to fall, Badri would not only steady the ship, but also take the game forward with his busy style of rotating the strike and innovative, deft strokeplay. d. His excellent fielding will be an added advantage, not to mention the fact that he will be really hungry having sat out a few matches. 2. It is certainly a fact that Mumbai have had troubles at the top with the opening combination changing as frequently as a bouncing ball in a roulette board. It is also a fact that Dwayne Smith sparkled against Rajasthan, and also dealt Chennai the death-blow with 14 runs off 3 Hilfenhaus deliveries in the last match against the defending champions. However, one swallow does not a summer make, nor would two! Apart from his heroics against Rajasthan and Chennai, Smith's batting has been quite hit and miss. While the Bangalore track is a batting beauty, I doubt Dwayne's technique would pass muster against a stern examination by Hilfenhaus, Morkel and Ashwin. An early wicket would give Chennai a first taste of blood, something to be avoided at all costs against a set of hungry lions! For this reason, despite being part of an unbeaten partnership at Mumbai, I think Harbhajan should think twice before pairing Dwayne Smith with the Master Blaster. Bhajji's response at the Jaipur presentation ceremony DID reveal this line of thinking.

A. Badrinath is far better and experienced player than Anirudha. Anirudha has not got much chance to perform all the IPL. Badrinath won the selectors attention during 2011 IPL season, playing an important role in team's success and becoming known as "Mr Dependable" for Chennai Super King. Badrinath is much experienced and be brought in. Dwayne Smith MoM innings vs RR has brought him in the spotlight has opener. Smith and Sachin played splendidly for MI to get 10 wickets win vs RR. Looking to the previous innings Smith can open the innings- when MI is already struggling for opening pair. Smith 87/58 and partnership of 163 runs will certainly boost MI morale.

A. 1) Anirudha should be played today. Bangaluru pitch is a batting pitch. Will suit his kind of batting i.e. attacking. If it would have been a Chennai pitch would have gone for badrinath as he is orthodox player. 2) Dwayne should open. Mumbai needs someone whose attacking and will be able to support Sachin. Dwayne has experience as an opener he is in good form. On the other hand, always felt there would be confusion between the roles of Pollard and Dwayne if they play together as they both have similar roles in the team.

A. 1) NO doubt that Anirudha is full of confidence and is a good finisher. But Badrinath has an edge over him, Here r d points in favor of Badri: a) He has more experienced then Anirudha in IPL. He has played many pressure games and at different positions(1,2,3,4,5) and proved to be consistent at many occasions. b) His fielding is impressive. Though Anirudha’s fielding is also good. c) The most important factor is CSK has 7 players who can score at any pace (Hussey,Vijay,Raina,Dhoni,Bravo,Morkel,Jadeja). But only few of them can sustain against a quality spin attack. When wickets are falling he can proved to be Class act against quality attack to hold one end. And oder important thing he can score with a healthy strike rate of 110 at the crunch time as well. So there is no lack of finishers in CSK, but certainly need one class player like Badri. Note : I hope this much logic is enough to prove Badri inclusion in the team in place of Anirudha. Lets wait for Harsha Verdict :-) 2) Here also if we think logically then the Math is simple. Smith Should come after Pollard. The strong reason is there are no one in there trail who can score briskly or genuine hitter after Pollard. If Pollard goes cheaply then Smith can prove to be vital for them. For opening slot I will always go with specialist that is Gibbs. He is a natural international opener and has loads of experience for pressure matches. So if Gibbs is present no need of Smith to open. The order should be Gibbs,Sachin,Sharma,Rayudu,Karthik,Polaard,Smith (7 Match wining bastsmen) then rest.

A. Badri should come in... and Smith can continue too. Its important that Smith gets more time to settle in and take on the opposition. He will be wasted playing in lower middle order as MI has enough power there.

A. 1) I feel the better option is Anirudh Srikanth should be stayed in team because he used his opportunity really well and helped to win again RR in league match. My option Murali Vijay should stay out today and Anirudha should come on opening with Mike Hussey or Du plesis. Raina, MSD, Bravo, Jadeja, Albie in order could be better batting strength. Should give chance to Tyagi with aswin, jakati, hilfanaus for bowling department could be outstanding. 2) I feel Ambati Rayudu should to come up opening with Sachin Tendulkar that could be well opening. Because Rayudu can play steady ly without losing wicket. So Dwayne Smith should come up on his usual place could be sign well. He can increase score level in crucial end time also he can hit some big shots to chasing the tough score as already proven against Chennai.

A. 1)Yes. He will give more solidity to the middle order. He is someone who on his day can survive full 20 overs. 2)Yes. If things are working well continue doing so. No need to change the partners who have put in 163 runs last time.

A. }Badrinath be brought in for Anirudha Srikkanth 2]Dwayne Smith continue to open the batting for Team Mumbai

A. 1.)Yes. Bingo.. for a high pressure game Badri's composure would come in handy if needed. CSK already has a lot of big hitters, so we can replace Ani with Badri For 2.) Yes it would be a big surprise for CSK and push them to backfoot. Also Smith would back himself to go after Hilfy and other MI batsmen wont.

A. 1 Though crucial game,changes of Batsman will not make much of a difference but after looking at the wicket they can always play additional spinner or fast bowler.This will be more beneficial specially if one of the regular bowler goes for many.For 20 0vers match except in rarity,first 5 batsman will be required to play most of overs 2 Dwayne smith should continue to open as mumbai has long batting line up and problem with Mumbai was slow start,smith can be used aa a pinch hitter for opening slot,in addition gives extra edge with his bowling.Useful as opening pinch hitter

A. 1) No i think anirudha srikkanth should be played as he is high on confidence,stroking the ball well and a good finisher of the game and team chennai requires him at this very crucial stage. 2) dwayne smith should not open the batting because his job is to up the run rate in the last overs of the innings for the team whether they are batting 1st or 2nd. Opening the batting job can be given to dinesh karthik.