In his first match as Delhi Capitals skipper, Rishabh Pant will be up against his mentor and talismanic former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the IPL clash at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
In a battle between the past and present of Indian cricket superstars, both teams will look to start the new season on a positive note.
Last year Delhi ended as runners-up while CSK finished second from the bottom.
For Delhi, apart from Pant, the onus will be on the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and in-form Prithvi Shaw to give a good start. And to compliment the Indian openers there’s Steve Smith’s and Marcus Stoinis in the middle.
But they will miss the services of South African Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje on Saturday. The pacer duo is currently serving six-day mandatory quarantine.
Also, the positive corona test has already ruled out Axar Patel.
In the absence of these three, Chris Woakes is likely to lead the pace attack. While Ravichandran Ashwin will head the spin department.
On the other hand, Chennai will be bolstered by the return of Suresh Raina, who opted out of last year’s edition due to Covid-19 related restrictions. He will bat at No 3.
His return will give more stability to the Super Kings middle-order which has the likes of Amabti Rayudu, MS Dhoni.
Robin Uthappa had a good domestic season with Kerala in the Vijay Hazare and he is expected to get the nod ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad to partner Faf du Plessis at the top.
In Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and big buy Krishnappa Gowtham, CSK has good all-rounders.
And ever-improving Shardul Thakur, who can also bat, and Deepak Chahar will lead the pace attack.