Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – IPL 5 – Match Preview – Part 1
The most exciting T20 tournament’s curtain raiser pits defending champions Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians, both looking to kick off the fifth edition of Indian Premier League with a win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
The fireworks had begun last evening in Chennai, which witnessed a star-studded opening ceremony including some of the top Bollywood stars, along with International celebrity Katy Perry. The marketing endeavours have been up to par and the battle will begin today with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 looking to lead the Super Kings to their third coveted title.
After off-field troubles involving the BCCI and Sahara Pariwar, the edition will be heavily observed by all neutral and pundits – over its trueness and long term stability. However, having said that this year remains as competitive as ever, with all teams pretty evenly matched.
Following a disappointing international term for many of the Indian players, the tournament will hold key for most, who see it as perfect platform to impress the selectors and get into the reckoning before the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 Cup in September.
For the Chennai, they will have their usual suspects to count on – the likes of Dhoni, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Ashwin-c2228 who have proved time and again to be the backbone of the side. The skipper’s credentials as a leader and a top batter have been the major plus points for the franchise, as he thrives in pressure.
His partner in crime has been Raina, who despite having a below par time over the past 12 months, remains a key figure, and his enthusiasm will be another major advantage. While Ashwin will be looking to reproduce his heroics from the past couple of seasons, the major acquisition has been another home grown talent – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RA-Jadeja-c2238.
The all-rounder was the most expensive buy of the 2012 auction after Chennai clinched his services via a tie-breaker. The pressure will be on him to perform, considering the amount the franchise paid for him. However, his aggressive depth batting, coupled with intelligent left-arm spin will prove key through the course of the tournament.
The outfit has a host of International players including Australians in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, where they will contest in a three-match Test series before joining the squad on April 30.
Bollinger has been the team’s spearhead pacer and will be eyeing the same role for most of the campaign. With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JA-Morkel-c1613.
Like all franchise, Chennai will face difficulty in cramping four overseas players. However, their shrewd buying of Jadeja means that they can afford the luxury of playing both all-rounders, along with Bollinger and either Bailey or http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Faf-du-Plessis-c1427.
With an impressive track record, where they have won the competition twice while finishing runners up and semi-finalists in the other two , they remain the side to beat.
The first opponents are from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221.
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