Chennai: It was billed as a battle of legends, promising a blockbuster contest as five time winners and home favourites Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face off in their second IPL contest at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday.
Both of them have started their campaign in the lucrative 18th edition on a winning note.
Though albeit winning their opening matches in contrasting styles, the mood in the dug out of both the teams is definitely buoyant and upbeat and CSK and RCB will be keen to continue to sustain their winning momentum for the second win.
Both of them have one win each and RCB might have placed second in the points table as against CSK, which was in the fourth position based on nett run rate.
But the tournament is in very early stages and the nett run rate does not matter now and it only would come into the picture during the business end of the tournament that could decide which of the four teams would qualify for the play offs, which is still long distance away.
In the tournament's pipe-opener, RCB, which was yet to lay its hands on the coveted title, romped home against reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) without much fuss chasing the target of 175 with the loss of just three wickets and with plenty of balls to spare at Eden Gardens.
On the other hand, the Yellow brigade at home, chasing a rather less target on a slow pitch that offered enough assistance to the spinners, made heavy weather of the target of 155 against Mumbai Indians, also five time champions, but without the services of captain Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, before crossing the finishing line at the expense of losing six wickets with a mere five balls to spare.
Despite being on a cruise mode, thanks to blistering start by opener southpaw Rachin Ravindra and No.3 skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad's scintilatting half century and the stage set for a much early finish, CSK lost wickets in the middle overs.
However, the Kiwi star Rachin (65 not out) held the innings together to guide the team home, despite remaining a mute witness to wickets falling at the other end, especially due to poor shot selection that stretched the chase to the final over.
Had Mumbai Indians scored another 15 to 20 runs extra, the chase would have become even more tense.
From 78 for two in the 10th over, Gaikwad holed out to the long on fence after a pulsating 26 ball 53 that was punctuated with six fours and three sixers, setting the stage for a big win.
But loss of quick wickets of Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda and Sam Curran going for big shots, who in an attempt to finish off quickly and holed out in the deep, instead of rotating the strike against the spinners, caused some anxiety.
However, Rachin ensured full points that helped CSK start with a win in the comnpany of Ravindra Jadeja.
Though the target was moderate, the fact that the contest literally went to the last mile, should be a cause of concern and the key is how to handle the middle overs--10 to 15--by rotating the strike without losing wickets, before exploding in the final five overs.
Though CSK was expected to retain the same XI as the wicket was expected to assist the spinners, they need to come out with guns blazing against an opponent, which was equally formidable.
The presence of three quality and experienced spinners--return of offie R.Ashwin back to his home team, all rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the rookie Noor Ahmed, whose four wicket haul against MI fetched him the man-of-the-match award--gives the CSK the much-needed fillip, with seamers Khaleel Ahmed, who gave crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and left arm pacer Sam Curran, who just bowled a solitary over but has loads of experience, bringing in the solidity to the attack.
RCB on the other hand, has a strong opening combination in Phil Salt and the experienced Virat Kohli, both of whom scored half centuries in the first match, with big hitter Devdutt Pallikal, skipper Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone, who also bowls off spin, lending solidtity in the batting front.
The presence of likes of Tim David, Jitesh Sharma and all rounder and spinner Krunal Pandya adds more strength to the batting depth with the seasoned Aussie Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal and Rashik Salam Dar forming a decent pace attack.
The contest promises to be close and enthralling in what considered to be a battle of equals as the winner will catapult to the top of the table.
With the dew factor unlikely to come into play as the city has been experiencing spike in mercury levels during the last couple of days, the team winning the toss has a key decision to make, whether to bowl or bat first.
A battle royale is on the cards with the crowd expected to get their money worth.
