IPL 2018, CSK vs KKR: 5 player battles to look forward to

It was an outstanding comeback from the gushes of defeat which saw Dwayne Bravo single-handedly snatch victory from Mumbai Indians in the opener of the VIVO IPL 2018.

With CSK returning home after a gap of more than two years, it’s going to be an amazing homecoming for the side. Always dominant when they play at home, their first home game of this season promises to be a mouth-watering prospect.

Up against them is the new look Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who were convincing in their triumph over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first game of the season. Under Dinesh Karthik, the team seems to have a settled feel to it.

Ahead of the fifth match in this year’s IPL, we look at 5 player battles to look forward to:

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#5 Mark Wood vs Sunil Narine

Ever since Sunil Narine was promoted to the opener’s position during last year’s IPL, he has been a revelation for KKR. His unorthodox technique rattles most sides. A case in point could be how he derailed RCB’s attack and amassed a 19-ball fifty.

If Chennai Super Kings stand a chance to minimise the damage Narine can cause it would have to be through sheer pace. They have in their team a talented, quick bowler Mark Wood.

Wood had a tough start to his IPL journey as he conceded 49 runs in 4 overs against Mumbai Indians, but no one can doubt his ability to surprise quality batsmen with his pace. CSK would most certainly want to use this weapon against an unpredictable Sunil Narine.

This player battle promises to be really exciting. Can Narine play out the threat posed by Mark Wood? We will have to wait and watch.

#4 MS Dhoni vs Kuldeep Yadav

The skipper will be back at the Chepauk

It’s going to be an emotional homecoming for Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni. He returns to the Chepauk stadium amidst huge expectations. He sure would want to make his return a memorable one.

What would stop that from happening would be his inability to play spin early in his innings. It’s an worrying aspect of the game which was exposed by rookie spinner Markhande in their game against MI. MSD takes time against spin and he tends to play back to many deliveries when he should be playing forward.

KKR have in their arsenal a quality left-arm leggie Kuldeep Yadav. Everyone has seen his rapid rise in the past year or so where he is the go to bowler along with Yuzhvendra Chahal for Virat Kohli when he plays for India.

Dinesh Karthik was smart in using Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav in the power play overs against RCB. He must surely keep some of Kuldeep’s overs intact so that he can use that against Mahendra Singh Dhoni .

Can MSD get over his shortcomings against spin? Or will Kuldeep reign supreme against Dhoni? Everyone would be eager to find out.

#3 Murali Vijay vs Dinesh Karthik

KKR's new skipper would look to outshine Vijay

This player battle is more for personal reasons rather than professional reasons. Everyone is aware of how Dinesh Karthik’s ex-wife is now Murali Vijay’s wife. There has been lot of talk about these two cricketer’s personal life in recent times.

Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay have clearly put that aside and have let their performances do the talking. A classic example would be Dinesh Karthik’s meteoric rise to clinching the Nidahas Trophy with his unbelievable batting to now leading a new look KKR side.

With both of them being localities, it will indeed be interesting to see whether the crowd at the Chepauk will pour all their love and affection on CSK opener Murali Vijay- who is most certain to play in today’s clash in place of the injured Kedhar Jadhav. Or will they reserve some admiration for the opposition captain who most certainly looks in good knick.

A player battle which is slightly different from the norm, it will be interesting to see Murali Vijay and Dinesh Karthik take the field in the same game against each other.

#2 Chris Lynn vs Shane Watson

Chris Lynn in full flow will be hard to stop even for the in-form Shane Watson

Two Australian players who are in completely different situations when it comes to their position in the national side. While Watson has retired from all forms of the game, Chris Lynn has made a strong impact in his limited presence for the Aussies.

Why this player battle will be intriguing is because there are lot of similarities between the two. Both are openers for their respective sides. Both are explosive openers who can take the game with their individual brilliance.

Both of them are liabilities on the field. Watson isn’t the quickest fielders going around and neither is Lynn in this year’s IPL, with his shoulder injury which has curtailed Chris Lynn the fielder.

It will certainly be interesting to see how Shane Watson shapes up against Lynn when they face off. Viewers and fans of KKR would hope Lynn will create a bigger impact than he managed against RCB.

Lynn in full fitness can derail any bowling attack. Can Watson’s experience and skill outfox Lynn?

#1 Dwayne Bravo vs Andre Russell

Bravo celebrates

Two ferocious strikers of the ball, two charismatic cricketers, two fine and cunning bowlers in the IPL. It’s a face- off between two Windies all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell.

Bravo set the VIVO IPL 2018 alight with his outstanding batting display which took CSK to an unlikely win against the Mumbai Indians. In an audacious batting display, Bravo showed everyone why he’s such an asset to have for any T20 team.

Clean strikes under such pressure, it was an innings which Dwayne Bravo termed as his ‘best innings’. He will most certainly look to continue to his glorious form and take the attack to the opposition and especially his country mate Andre Russell who will be most likely be pitted against Bravo in today’s clash.

Andre Russell is still not 100% fitness wise but still showed how important a player he is against RCB with his crucial bowling and batting lower down the order. KKR will be hoping that Russell who knows a trick or two about Bravo can prove to be the trump card in today’s high octane clash.

It promises to be a really intense competition with CSK’s homecoming. Lot of player battles to look forward to as well!