The most awaited T20 extravaganza is back. IPL is back for the 11th time and 8 franchises will again lock horns to lift the coveted trophy on 27th May. And the tournament kick-starts with a jaw-dropping clash between two of the most successful teams in the history of IPL: Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Head-to-Head:

Overall: Matches- 22

Mumbai Indians– 12

Chennai Super Kings– 10

Venue:

The teams will battle it out in the backyard of the defending champions, MI, at Wankhede.

Avg 1st innings score: 187

Avg 2nd innings score:183

Highest Total: 230/8 (19.4 Ov) by Eng vs RSA

Lowest Total: 172/10 (20 Ov) by Afg vs RSA

Highest Chased: 230/8 (19.4 Ov) by Eng vs RSA

Lowest Defended: 209/5 (20 Ov) by RSA vs Afg

(The above stats only include T20Is played at Wankhede)

Wankhede is a batsman’s paradise. Runs always flow when teams play at Wankhede. A high-scoring match is certainly on the cards.

How do the teams stack up?

Mumbai Indians:

The most successful team in the history of IPL in terms of winning titles and defending champions have been perennial slow-starters. They have not won the first match of the season since the last 5 IPL seasons, and they would certainly like to set that record straight when they face CSK, known for its balanced squad in the IPL 2018. Boasting of a lethal pace attack, they can be ludicrously dangerous with batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya in their ranks.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Mustafizur Rahman, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah,

Players to watch out for: Mustafizur Rehman and Rohit Sharma

Chennai Super Kings:

The two-time champions will be back in the field after a suspension of 2 years. Probably the most successful team in the history of IPL, they have a well-stocked squad whose core comprises the ever-reliable quartet of M S Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo. M S Dhoni will rue the absence of Faf du Plesis in the middle-order but with Kedhar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu, the middle-order looks stable, at least on paper. The only area of concern for the men in yellow will be their bowling attack which does not have experienced pace bowlers in their ranks.

Probable XI: M S Dhoni (C) (WK), Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedhar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur

Players to watch out for: Suresh Raina and Lungi Ngidi