It will be a battle between veteran battle commander MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and apprentice Rishav Pant led Delhi Capitals (DC). CSK won many battles in the past, lifted the trophy three times, made the business round every time.
Delhi Capital is on ascendency finished third in 2019, was the losing finalist in 2020. CSK is a unit of experienced professionals, DC is an assembly of flamboyant batsmen and quality bowlers, many fresh legs. The battle today is expected to produce mouth-watering contest at Mumbai.
Dhoni is in his twilight season may apply his head and heart for making it memorable. Pant would like to make his start in style.
Probable Playing Xi:
CSK
Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayadu, Suresh Raina, Rituraj Gaekwad, MS Dhoni, Sam Curran, Karn Sharma, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar
DC: Shikhar Dhawan, Shresh Iyer, Steve Smith, Simron Hetmeyer, Rishav Pant, Ajinka Rahane, Marcus Stoinis, Amit Misra, Axar Patel, Chris Woakes and Ishant Sharma/ Umesh Yadav
Both teams cannot field their full-strength teams as South African recruits just reaching India are still having their mandatory quarantine. CSK will miss Luigi Ngidi and Faf du Plessis, DC cannot use Kagiso Rabada or Anrich Nortje. But even without them both teams have enough quality players to make the contest very lovely and exciting. However, it is not easy starting it with a bang straight away. Teams have to start with new surface and conditions. Most of Indian players in CSK have not played for a while. Indian players in DC have recently played against England. However, IPL is different contest.
If DC can carry the momentum that it had last year in UAE then can make a strong start. However, experience counts in nerve wrecking contest. Last year surprisingly MSD was not in his element. It will depend how he plays as a finisher and lead his team win uncanny brilliance. For Pant it will be gathering moss as he grows strength to strength as the future Indian leader.
We can guarantee it will be a fascinating contest with so many impact players in both teams.
BDST: 1519 HRS, APR 10, 2021
SMS
