Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
The biggest and best T20 competition in the world kicks off with an absolute beauty. In even better news, our sports provider in Australia (Fox Sports) will be showing the tournament for the first time in five years!
Defending champions Mumbai Indians take on returning Chennai Super Kings in a game I can’t wait for; a game that can set the tone for each team in a tournament that is expected to be very closely fought.
The opening night represents a challenge for Mumbai Indians. In the last five IPL editions, they have lost their opening fixture, and against a Chennai side rearing to go on their return, meeting the expectations of a packed Wankhede could be added pressure. However, MI possess a batting line up that promises plenty, as well as bowlers that can deliver at the death, which I’ll go through in a little more detail in this preview.
For CSK, after a difficult few years, this represents a momentous occasion. Led by inspirational skipper MS Dhoni, they still possess a few players that helped built them as a successful team in the IPL. Can they cause Mumbai problems in front of their home fans? Expecting a win from CSK away from home after two years might be much, but a good performance will give them and their fans plenty of hope.
Key to a Mumbai win
Fiery start with the bat, excellent finish with the ball.
Mumbai’s strengths lie in their top order, and with Jasprit Bumrah, Patrick Cummins and Mustafizur Rahman at helm, MI possess quality with the ball right throughout the innings, and can back them to do well at the death. Rohit Sharma, possessing the best win record of any captain who has captained at least 30 matches in the IPL, is key at the top, along with Evin Lewis and Ishan Kishan to help MI get a fast start, and push CSK onto the back foot. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard are excellent potential finishers.
One worry for MI is their depth in spin bowling, so the seam bowlers have a key role to play, including changing their pace regularly, and landing their variation balls well.
Key to a Chennai win
Can CSK’s batting handle Mumbai’s potent seam attack?
Fan favourite Suresh Raina, one of IPL’s finest ever players, will be key to victory, and a close eye will also be kept on Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo (who were strong in the recent BBL) and MS Dhoni. Unlike MI, CSK possess quite an inexperienced specialist seam attack, so much will depend on Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir to deliver with the ball.
Dealing with MI’s seam attack, as well as a potentially damaging top order is key.
Possible teams:
Much will be expected of MI’s top order, as well as their seam attack.
Mumbai Indians XI: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Rohit Sharma (c), 3. Ishan Kishan (wk), 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Krunal Pandya, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Patrick Cummins, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
Do CSK have enough fire power in their squad? It is regarded the following will be their line up, and will be interesting to see how they go.
Chennai Super Kings XI: 1. Murali Vijay, 2. Shane Watson, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. Faf du Plessis, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Imran Tahir
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Played 23, Mumbai Indians 13, Chennai Super Kings 10. At the Wankhede, MI lead 5-2.
- Rohit Sharma has the best winning percentage of any captain in IPL history (minimum 30 matches) with 60.66%. MS Dhoni has captained the most IPL matches (143), with a win percentage of 58.45%.
- Dwayne Bravo recently became the first player to take 400 T20 wickets.
- MI have lost their opening game in the last five IPL tournaments, but have won their last three games against CSK.
- Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have both played 159 IPL matches.
Prediction:
On what is expected to be a good batting track, plenty of runs could be the name of the game.
Despite their spin options not quite as strong as other teams, I expect MI to buck their opening game trend over the last few years, and win this game against a CSK side that will show plenty of positive signs.