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Why is the IPL rivalry between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians dubbed ‘El Clasico’?

The IPL clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians involves plenty of drama, action and thrills. The battle between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, and in the past between MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar has led to a massive fan following and that is why, the Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians clash is dubbed as the ‘El Clasico’ of cricket.

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Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are two of the best white-ball captains for the Indian cricket team and their contest enhances the greatness of the rivalry between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
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When it comes to sporting rivalries, the ‘El Clasico’ derby between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona is considered as one of the marquee rivalries in the history of the sport. The history, cultural conflict, language differences and struggles from the Spanish Civil War makes this sporting rivalry intense and fierce. When it comes to cricket, there is the Ashes contest between England and Australia that has a 140-year history of competitiveness. However, in the Indian Premier League, in its short 13-year period, there is one rivalry that has managed to grab the attention of billions of fans in the country. The IPL’s version of the ‘El Clasico’ is the battle between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

How did this rivalry, between two sides that have nothing in common, emerge? It all begins in 2008. Mumbai Indians had Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest player in the history of cricket in the side. However, for Chennai Super Kings, they had a player who was changing the game of cricket in the country after he helped India to victory in the 2007 World T20 against Pakistan.

The clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians reached a fever pitch when both of these sides clashed in the final of the IPL 2010 at DY Patil stadium. It was one particular moment and some tactics that suggested the change of guard in Indian cricket was complete.

MS Dhoni’s brilliant tactics

When Sachin Tendulkar was batting, MS Dhoni employed left-arm spin as he knew Tendulkar had a weakness against left-armers. Right on point, he fell to Shadab Jakati. Mumbai Indians were given some hope by Kieron Pollard who smashed fours and sixes at will. At that point, a moment of tactical brilliance saw MS Dhoni seal the deal for Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni employed a straight mid-off, almost behind the umpire. Albie Morkel bowled a full ball, Pollard mistimed the lofted drive and he found the fielder at straight mid-off. Many analysts stated that this out-of-the-box move sealed Dhoni’s reputation as one of the best in the business.

Chennai Super Kings won the title yet again in 2011 and they had already sealed a Champions League T20 win in 2010 as well. However, that was when Mumbai Indians changed their entire approach.

Employing coaches like Anil Kumble, Robin Singh, Jonty Rhodes, John Wright, Ricky Ponting as a player and coach, Mumbai Indians turned the rivalry on its head. They won the Champions League T20 in 2011 but capped off a fantastic double when they won the IPL and Champions League T20 in 2013 by beating Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the final respectively.

The appointment of Rohit Sharma changed the entire game for Mumbai Indians. They breached the fortress of Chepauk, winning there in three consecutive seasons. Mumbai Indians have won four IPL titles and three have come by beating Chennai Super Kings. The rivalry, which had started out in favour of Chennai Super Kings and was even until a certain point of time, has now gone totally in favour of Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni’s team has a positive win-loss ratio against every side barring Mumbai Indians with 12-17. Rohit Sharma has matched MS Dhoni for tactical brilliance and power-hitting and the result has seen India producing two of their finest white-ball captains in the modern era.

Ahead of their clash in Sharjah in IPL 2020, the build-up has been toned down. Chennai Super Kings are on the brink of elimination while a win for Mumbai Indians will almost seal their spot in the play-offs. If Chennai Super Kings pull off a win, they will be in contention for the play-off spot. However, the circumstances will not blunt the brilliance of the rivalry between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

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