Mumbai Indians holds third place with six wins so far in the fifth Indian Premier League, while they are working hard to win the matches. Mumbai Indians have not showed up-to their potential, where they are looking forward to win the third consecutive match here in IPL-5. Mumbai Indians have won last two matches against Deccan Chargers and Pune Warriors.

Australian middle-order batsman Michael Hussey has return back into the Chennai Super Kings, while South African Du Plessis has been passing through great form right now. Skipper MS Dhoni leads the batting line-up along with Suresh Riana, Murali Vijay and Dwayne Bravo. Spinner R. Ashwin leads the Chennai bowling line-up Australian pacer Hilfenhaus back into the side.

Predications’:

As per the predications’, Chennai Super Kings is considered to big favorite to win the clash against Mumbai Indians, being played here at the Wankhede Stadium at 10:30 GMT.

Mumbai Indians Key Players:

Rohit Sharma, Pollard, Malinga

Chennai Super Kings Key Players:

Suresh Riana, Morkel, Bravo

Pitch Report:

The Wankhede Stadium pitch having bit of mixed bag, while 160 plus will be a match winning score in the second innings.

Mumbai Indians squad:

Harbhajan Singh (c), AN Ahmed, Amitoze Singh, AC Blizzard, YS Chahal, JEC Franklin, HH Gibbs, DJ Jacobs, KD Karthik†, Kuldeep Yadav, DS Kulkarni, RE Levi, CJ McKay, SL Malinga, SH Marathe, SS Nayak, PP Ojha, MM Patel, NLTC Perera, RJ Peterson, KA Pollard, AT Rayudu, JN Shah, RG Sharma, R Shukla, RP Singh, DR Smith, TL Suman, P Suyal, AP Tare, SR Tendulkar, AV Wankhade, SA Yadav

Chennai Super Kings:

MS Dhoni, Joginder Sharma, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh, Abhinav Mukund,  Wriddhiman Saha,  Scott Styris, Sudeep Tyagi, K Vasudevadas, Ganapathi VigneshShadab Jakati, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Dwayne Bravo,   George Bailey, Srikkanth Anirudha, Faf du Plessis, Ravichandran Ashwin

Mumbai Indians started batting chasing a target of 169 against the Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians were ostensibly out of contention with 32 runs required from last two overs.

However, Ambati Rayudu and Petersen scripted a dramatic turnaround for their team in the 19th over, in which they took Piyush Chawla for 27 runs, hitting two boundaries and three sixes.

Unbelievable innings by both the batsmen turned the match to Mumbai Indians favor. Once the momentum swung Mumbai’s way, the last over was just a formality. The two batsmen comfortably scored the required five runs with one ball to spare and collected two valuable points.

Kings XI Punjab started batting earlier and the stand-in captain David Hussey and middle order batsman David Miller had helped Punjab to 168 for three.

Helpful contributions from the top-order set a platform for Hussey to exploit and the Australian didn’t miss his chance, smashing four boundaries and as many sixes during an unbeaten 68.

Miller too provided Punjab a welcome boost towards the end of their innings as he hit the last two deliveries for sixes during a quick-fire knock of 34 not out.

The Mumbai bowling, without Lasith Malinga, had little to cheer about as captain Harbhajan Singh against went wicketless.

This victory boosted Mumbai Indians confidence and yet again proved their strong batting lineup.

The ‘Turbanator’, who has become a terror for Australian batsman over the last decade, has lost his charm of bowling and have been to a defensive bowling line, in an effort to cut the scoring rate. As per an official in the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the poor form of Harbhajan and the terrific performance by both the spinners R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha, has diverted the advantage to their side, while the chances for Harbhajan have been slim.

The official added that, there will be only two spinners for the forthcoming Australian tour and the selection of Harbhajan seems unlikely, considering the performance of Ashwin and Ojha with their given opportunities, compared with the failure in the Ranji Trophy of Singh. He failed to perform, despite giving ample opportunities by the selection committee. Dropping Ashwin or Ojha means a step in the backward direction.

However, Sourav Ganguly the former Indian Captain believes that, he should be picked considering his vast experience. But picking him for such a tough and electrifying series against would be gutsy job. Do you think, Harbhajan Singh would be picked for Australian series?

Earlier the BCCI stated that they were just “wild claims” made by Majeed, and now Yuvraj and Harbhajan have both denied any link with the bookie.

Harbhajan while speaking with the various sources has said that, he don’t know who is Mazhar Majeed and has never met him. We will definitely take some action against him. I don’t whether it will be legal action or whatever. But I will definitely bring it to the BCCI’s notice and I’m sure they’ll take the right kind of action against these kind people who are trying to spoil the game.

While all-rounder Yuvraj, who is still out through injury took public forum, Tweeter to make his voice heard in a defiant manner.

“And who is Majid!! Absolute rubbish! Don’t no (sic), never met! The problem in India is if someone says a rooster has given an egg it will become news!! Whether it’s true or not it doesn’t matter,” he tweeted.

The Cricketing world has been thrown into deeper controversy with the spot-fixing trial, taking place in London, involving Pakistani duo, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, who face charges over their involvement in fixing some aspects of the game on their tour of England last year.

The Master Blaster is recovering from an injury, selected out of the tournament, but his existence in the Mumbai Indians nets and the dressing-room played a vast role, feels stand-by captain Harbhajan Singh.

Harbhajan Singh told, ” Sachin was very concerned in everything…He is great role model to have in the dressing room,” talking about Tendulkar’s role in the Mumbai Indians scheme of things. He has escort Mumbai Indians in all four editions of the IPL and everyone seal to him knows how greatly he wants to win that tournament.

However, That hasn’t happened as so far, but this time around, he make sure that Mumbai Indians finished the Champions League cut with some inspiring batting performances and from there, it was the turn of the Pollards and Harbhajans, and to take the side to the desirable title.

Sachin Tendulkar had backed a number of youngsters in the IPL also the stand-in captain felt that they were reaping the return of that. Singh added: “We always wanted to give them great chances and not make them feel left out. Even in the IPL, we had tried a lot of young players and in this tournament they truly raised their performances.”

Even when the chips were down on Sunday with Mumbai Indians running a total of 139, Tendulkar had a word with the boys which played a big role.  Harbhajan also discussed about the role of the training staff, who played a big part in the Mumbai Indians victory.

Harbhajan Singh could not receive the award personally in London, as he was eventful captain leading Mumbai Indians to the Champions League Twenty20 title. The quotation for him read, “Harbhajan Singh Plaha, born July 3, 1980 is a Professional Indian cricketer. A specialist Indian bowler, he has the 2nd highest number of Test wickets by an off-spinner.”

Harbhajan is the 11th feisty bowler in the history of Test cricket to maintain 400 wickets. Singh was a major provider to the Indian cricket team’s triumph during the World Cup.

The honor comes at a time, when Harbhajan has been put down from the ODI squad due to his poor form. Singh gushes – “My mum who brought me up single handedly, as my father was assassinated for opposing the partition of United India 2 months before I was born, to India for instilling right values, my wife for supporting me – when I had nothing to my staff for their loyalty and commitment, and the UK for the British sense of fairness.”

Other bestowed of the awards were Stephen Grosz (Special Recognition Award), Ravi Singh (USA) (Sikhs in Media), Sikh Air International (UK) (Sikhs in Charities), Mrs Gurmeet Kaur Sodhi (USA) (Sikhs in entertainment), Kulvinder Singh Sihra (Kenya) (Sikhs in Seva) ) and Simon Singh (UK) (Sikhs in Education).

Prof Kartar Singh Ji was selected for ‘Sikh Lifetime Achievement award’ for his dedication to the kirtan music in its original form.

Harbhajan Singh says that things become hard when star batsman and captain Sachin Tendulkar is not in the MI playing eleven. Harbhajan said: “Tendulkar is obviously being missed, but it is good to have him around even when he is not playing. He is a fantastic player and a great motivator and he has loads of experience to pass on,” Sources revealed.

Harbhajan was named stand-in Mumbai captain after Tendulkar was ruled out of the tournament. Discussion about his experience, the off-spinner admits, “It was a huge opportunity to lead Mumbai Indians team. It’s a similar situation to the first IPL, when Sachin was not available, but I am more mature now, as I have learnt a lot playing along with Sachin.”

Harbhajan added: “Above all, Mumbai Indians owner Mrs Nita Ambani’s support has been incredible. The young players have cut-off in with their performances in absence of the star batsman.”

To be open, it is difficult not to have Sachin, Munaf Patel and Rohit Sharma in the team. Young players like Yuzvendra Chahal and Sarul Kanwar are bolstering their position with all the ability they have. Every player has added in some way or the other way,”

India’s no. 1 spinner admitted being a professional cricketer, one is anticipated to get used to the conditions fast but it takes time, when one is constantly traveling from one country to another. When asked about his axing from Team India for the first two ODIs over England, Harbhajan told, “I am here to play for Mumbai Indians and would like to focus on how to surpass.”

Sources revealed that Sehwag, who had cut short his Indian Premier League (IPL) spell in May to have a worn out shoulder edge managed on by Wallace, wanted to get fit for the third Test series.

After his last month’s secret visit, Sehwag came back to Bangalore’s National Cricket Academy where he was undertaking treatment over the past fortnight.

Sehwag will get a first option to test his shoulder, when he along with his opening partner Gautam Gambhir, who missed the second Test with a jarred elbow, will open the Indian batting in the two-day match over Northamptonshire on Friday morning at Wantage Road.

The twosome is on course to make their go back to Lord’s Test series duty next Wednesday.

Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan is also anticipated to join them at Edgbaston in a match India must win to avert series defeat. Although his contribution over the County Championship’s Division Two leaders will be determine only on Friday morning.

Zaheer pulled up his hamstring injury on the first day at Lord’s ground and might not bowl in the remaining of the match and was also ruled out of the second Test series.

Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh have already been ruled out of the remainder of the series with injuries.

India suffered two key-player injuries ahead of third Test over England and they will be replaced by middle-order batsman Virat Kohli and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who will join the squad as soon as possible.

BCCI said in a statement that, a scan revealed that Harbhajan has a grade-one abdominal muscle strain. The injury is anticipated to sideline the off-spinner for at least three weeks.

Yuvraj, who was hit on his left hand by a short-pitched delivery from Tim Bresnan on the fourth day of the second Test innings, suffered a fractured on his left index finger. He is expected to be out of action for four weeks.

The injury is likely to take at least four weeks to cure, that means Yuvraj is doubtful to participate for most part of the ODI series as well.

Harbhajan Singh has had a poor time in England series, conceding 218 runs for a wicket at Lord’s ground and bowling only 13.4 over’s (for 69 runs and one wicket) here at Trent Bridge. The other spinner presently with the team is Amit Mishra, who bowls leg-spin.

However, the Indian cricket management will also be keeping a close eye on the fitness of Virender Sehwag, who joined the side on Wednesday and also on Zaheer Khan.

India plays a two-day practice match in Northampton stadium from Friday before the third Test series at Birmingham from next Wednesday.

Harbhajan Singh of India has been ruled out of the team for the third test against England, which would start next week from August 10, 2011 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He has been dropped, after he sustained a grade 1 tear on his stomach.

The off-spinner has sustained the injury during the second test at Trent Bridge, who was able to bowl 13.2 overs, including 9 overs in the second innings, which left India with just three bowlers to bowl the match.

Harbhajan has struggled for his form, right from the first test at Lords and Trent Bridge, where he managed to take 1/218 and 1/68 respectively. A lot was expected from him, after India missed it’s spearhead Zaheer Khan.

Many cricketing experts have given the calls to drop him from the side, due to his poor form. Now, his injury might be an opportunity for Amit Mishra to show his caliber at Edgbaston, if the team decided to go with 1 spinner and 3 pacers.

However, India would have felt better, after the news broke that, Sehwag would be joining the team for the third test. He missed the first two tests, as he was undergoing surgery for his shoulder injury.