It will be a test of wits between two new captains in Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya when defending champions Chennai Super Kings clash with debutants Gujarat Titans in the IPL match in Pune on Sunday.
Known for their all-round skills, both Jadeja and Pandya have served Indian cricket well, and the duo will be engaged in a battle of tactical supremacy as both teams look to continue their momentum after winning their previous matches.
While Jadeja was elevated to the captaincy role by CSK, Pandya was roped in as leader of the Titans after Mumbai Indians did not retain the gifted all-rounder as he struggled with his fitness.
Pandya has given the newcomers a rollicking start with four wins in five games. The Titans head into the match after bouncing back from their only loss to SunRisers Hyderabad with a 37-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Thursday.
Jadeja, on the other hand, has endured a tough initial phase, the team losing their first four matches before opening their account with a 23-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Bowling is a major concern for CSK, but the former champions produced a better show against RCB with the spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and skipper Jadeja running riot and picking seven wickets between them in the last match.
But pacer Mukesh Choudhary hasn’t been able to rise to the occasion in the absence of CSK's main weapon, Deepak Chahar, who has been ruled out of the IPL due to a back injury.
Chris Jordon and Dwayne Bravo have done well overall to keep things in check even though the latter was taken for runs in the last match.
The Titans, however, boast of a formidable bowling line-up, with New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson (8 wickets), India quick Mohammed Shami (7) and Pandya (4) himself all capable of taking wickets and putting the opposition under the pump.
With six wickets so far, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan too has done the job of squeezing the run flow.
In the batting department, Pandya and opener Shubman Gill, with two fifties each, have been among the runs but Matthew Wade's form is a concern.
Rookie Abhinav Manohar and South Africa's David Miller came good in their last match and the team will expect them to take more responsibility.
Rahul Tewatia too shone in his role of a finisher, as his sixes earned the Titans victory over Lucknow Super Giants.
For CSK, time is running out for young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been in horrible form this season. Moeen Ali too has lacked consistency at the top of the order. Ditto for Ambati Rayudu, who failed to capitalise on his starts.
All-rounder Shivam Dube is their star performer. He blasted an unbeaten 95 at number four the other night.
Opener Robin Uthappa also turned back the clock during his 88-run hammering of RCB’s bowlers.
However, Jadeja and former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have to show more intent when the going gets tough in the middle.
Teams (from):
Chennai Super Kings: Ravindra Jadeja (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayadu, Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Santner, Chris Jordan, Adam Milne, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Dwaine Pretorius, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande, KM Asif, C Hari Nishaanth, N Jagadeesan, Subranshu Senapati, K Bhagath Verma, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary.
Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (captain), Abhinav Manohar, David Miller, Gurkeerat Singh, B Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Matthew Wade, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wriddhiman Saha, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Pradeep Sangwan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Varun Aaron, Yash Dayal.
Match starts: 7.30 PM.
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