IPL 2020: MI vs CSK Preview – Arch-Rivals set for an epic opening game

After winning a thriller in the final of IPL 2019, Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians is all set to clash with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural match of this season. The anticipation is pretty high considering the track record of both the teams. Mumbai Indians is the most successful team in the league which won four titles till now. CSK has the second-best track record by winning three titles.

Both MI and CSK have played against each other in 28 matches in the past. While MI won 17 of them. 11 turned in the favor of CSK. An interesting fact is that Rohit Sharma led his side to the victory against CSK 10 times in 16 matches. On paper, Mumbai looks solid with a well-balanced team. They have retained most of their players from the last season and they wouldn’t tamper with the playing XI as well. On the flip side, CSK lost its backbone, Suresh Raina, as he backed out from this season owing to personal reasons. However, the likes of Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar can be match-winners at any given day.

UAE is known for its scorching heat and the weather is no different right now. The Abu Dhabi stadium has long boundaries, which means that the batsmen have to sweat hard to score boundaries. The pitch conditions favor the batsmen and pacers, say the reports.

The match will start at 07.30 PM (IST). Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be the hosting venue of it. The toss takes place at 07.10 PM (IST). Star Sports Network will telecast the match live on television. Online users can stream it live on Disney+Hotstar.