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IPL 2018 - Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: 4 key match-ups in this battle of titans

While there's little doubt that both sides are packed with match-winners, there's one particularly fascinating aspect about the match. The battles within the battle, where the old guard comes face to face with the current superstars.

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The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) couldn't have gotten off to a more exciting start. Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) take on the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium to kick-off IPL 2018.

Both MI and CSK are IPL royalty, nevermind the latter's two-year ban on betting charges. While the Men In Yellow formed the most successful unit in years gone by, the Mumbai 'paltan' has undoubtedly been the biggest force over the past few editions of the cash-rich T20 extravaganza. Even as far as fan-following is concerned, only MI can come close to matching the dizzy heights set by the 'Whistle Podu' gang.

While there's little doubt that both sides are packed with match-winners, there's one particularly fascinating aspect about the match. The battles within the battle, where the old guard comes face to face with the current superstars.

With CSK managing to retain its core group of players, the anticipation for IPL 11 has gone up several notches. What that also means is that fans will be treated to some intriguing match-ups between the 'old and new'. While Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai is full of legends, Rohit Shama's Mumbai has many who're next in line.

Here's a look at four such match-ups to look forward to in the IPL 2018 opener

Rohit vs Dhoni

MS Dhoni might've got his hands on every ICC trophy, but a lot of the credit for his popularity as 'Captain Cool' has to be attributed to his excellence as a leader in the IPL. The 36-year-old has twice led CSK to the title, in 2010 and '11. Those years will, perhaps, go down as the keeper-batsman's best. When he emerged as a world beater and was almost invincible in white-ball cricket.

As surprising as it is, though, Rohit has already led MI to the title twice. The 30-year-old has been phenomenal for his team as a skipper, contributing heavily with the bat as well as his decision-making.

With Dhoni leading a side after a long time, it'll be an absorbing battle of wits between him and Rohit on Saturday.

 

Raina vs Bumrah

Much of the credit for CSK's success has to go to Suresh Raina. All the while MSD was applying his 'Midas touch', it was Raina who was piling on the runs. The Uttar Pradesh lad is the leading run-scorer in IPL history, with 4540 runs from 161 matches.

The  left-hander will be up against Jasprit Bumrah, one of the finest T20 bowlers in the world as of today. Long in the shadow of Lasith Malinga, Bumrah has well and truly established himself as the leader of the attack. It's his rare talent, and not just the unorthodox action, that makes him a lethal force in the shortest format of the game.

Raina hasn't had the best time with bat in recent times, but he's very much on the Team India comeback trail as we head towards the 2019 World Cup. On Saturday, it'll be interesting to see if he can get the better of the 'yorker specialist'.

 

Hardik vs DJ Bravo

Both are fast-bowling all-rounders, right-handers, showmen, and absolute match-winners. Not just in the opening game, Hardik Pandya and Dwayne Bravo will play pivotal roles for their respective teams throughout the tournament.

'Champion' DJ Bravo redefined the use of a slower ball during CSK's heydays. The Trinidadian's contributions with the ball, and occasionally with the bat, guided his team to umpteen victories. The 34-year-old is the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket, with with 413 victims from 375 matches.

Hardik, on the other hand, is Indian cricket's rising star. Be it any format, the 24-year-old plays an integral part in Virat Kohli's scheme of things. Unlike Bravo, though, Hardik's threat comes with his big-hitting ability.

Come Saturday, MI and CSK's fortunes could well be decided by the performances of these flamboyant all-rounders.

 

Harbhajan vs Pollard

The Turbanator will have a point to prove. Having spent all ten seasons with MI, Harbhajan Singh will now don the yellow of Chennai. Not out of vengeance, but the off-spinner would definitely be itching to show his former employers what they're missing out on.

Standing in the 37-year-old's way, though, will be an old mate - Kieron Pollard. Just like Bhajji, the burly West Indian has only played for MI up until now. This is, in fact, his ninth straight season for them. Although he can't be termed a youngster, the 30-year-old has many years of bludgeoning cricket left in him. No wonder the Mumbai franchise shelled out Rs 5.4 crore to retain him.

Dhoni will surely look to the experienced Harbhajan in crunch situations. And when that happens, the legend might have to contend with Pollard's broad bat.

Here are the Probable Playing XIs for both team

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar and Akila Dananjaya.

Chennai Super Kings: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mark Wood and Imran Tahir.

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