CSK set to renew Mumbai rivalry after twoyear ban

Twice champions, led by Dhoni, take on holders MI in a highvoltage clash today

MUMBAI: While the IPL has grown over the last 10 years, so has the rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. After a two-year ban, CSK will take a fresh guard. And luck of draw means the mouth-watering clash is being served first up.

Mumbai Indians are the defending champions while in their eight-year history before being sidelined as punishment for the betting scandal, CSK were a formidable foe in any condition.

It’s the start of a new era in the tournament as well. We have a new broadcaster, the biggest stakeholder in the event, and all the teams wear a new look after the mega auction resulted in teams undergoing complete overhaul.

While there are new names added to team sheets, these two sides have retained their core groups ensuring that this clash will be as engrossing as ever.

Rohit Sharma, captain of the home side, said he is eager to renew the rivalry.

“Everyone is excited to have them back. It is always great to start off with your archrivals. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians share a great bond and a great rivalry over the years. It will be the same again, both the teams will fight hard in that first game. Whoever absorbs the pressure will win the game.”

The opener will also serve as a sub plot of the clash between two of the sharpest brains in T20 cricket — Rohit vs MS Dhoni. Both are natural leaders armed with a calm demeanour. Dhoni’s team has dominated the tournament, winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011, before Rohit helped Mumbai Indians break the stranglehold and turn it into the most successful IPL team. They have won three of the last five editions --- 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Rohit and Suresh Raina will be at the centre of the batting plans of both teams. Both like to bat through the innings and possess the big shots to single-handedly win a match. After being dormant for the last two seasons, Raina’s return to form coincides with CSK’S comeback. It remains to be seen at what number Rohit decides to bat. He prefers to open but here he has the option of Evin Lewis and the young dasher Ishan Kishan.

To add to the rivalry, Harbhajan will go head to head against his old team. Having played for 10 seasons for Mumbai, he knows every blade of grass at the Wankhede and will be battling mixed emotions. Same with Ambati Rayudu, who was the pillar of Mumbai’s batting in the last decade.

Dwayne Bravo taking on his Trinidadian mate Kieron Pollard will be another interesting contest. A death-bowling specialist, Bravo is a master of variations while Mumbai rely on the finishing power of Pollard. On paper, the two teams look balanced. For the visitors, Raina, Faf du Plessis, Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and Dhoni make the batting line-up look imposing. For Rohit, the main support will come from Surya Kumar Yadav, the Pandya brothers and Pollard.

In bowling, Mumbai have the edge in the pace department which is led by Jasprit Bumrah while Chennai will look to strangle the opposition with spin, having Harbhajan, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran

Tahir and Karn Sharma in their squad. More than anything, all teams are eager to see if they got their buys right.