Dhoni versus Sachin at master's bastion (Preview)

Sachin Tendulkar declared MS Dhoni the best captain during his 22-year long career. Such admiration by the master clearly indicates how good a captain Dhoni is. Come Friday evening, Sachin will be trying all his tricks to out think Chennai skipper Dhoni when latter’s team takes on mighty Mumbai at Wankhede in an important IPL fixture. it was at Wankhede where Dhoni led India to second world cup victory and Sachin for his much deserved first world cup medallion.

For Sachin’s Mumbai, the current season is turning out to be a dominating period for their batsmen. So much so Mumbai’s highest wicket count they have lost in a match is three as their top order, Sachin and Ambati Rayudu, have been in a terrific form. Likes of big hitters Andrew Symonds and Kieran Pollard have hardly been required with the bat and opposition bowlers have been carted around by Mumbai top order mercilessly.

Munaf Patel is proving to be a dependable option for Sachin in the bowling department which has Lasith Malinga, Murtaza Ali, Harbhajan Singh and new fast bowling prospect Abu Nechim. Patel is going under six runs per over in the tournament and is giving team some vital break through as well. Only problem that Mumbai is facing in the bowling is that their second string bowlers are going for plenty runs and Chennai would aware of that and make most of this weakness in the opposition camp.

Chennai has followed a pattern in which they a win has been followed by a loss which meant defending champions have won two out of four games this season. They go into this match after being outplayed by newcomers Kochi in their own backyard with Chennai falling to pull batting and bowling together.

In both the games that they lost, Chennai couldn’t defend the competitive totals as there has been a lack of wickets upfront which has put too much pressure on the spin attack. That is what Dhoni would be expecting his new ball bowlers to rectify that and put strong Mumbai on backfoot early in the piece. Batting is in safe hands though as likes of Murali Vijay, Michael Hussey and Dhoni himself have looked in a good form to contribute some big runs to the team.

Chennai is heavily loaded with spinners and most of the Mumbai batsmen would like to dominate them that should indicate a mouth watering contest is on cards.

MUMBAI

Players who can make impact…

Munaf Patel…He has certainly come of age in last 18 months or so as he continues his good bowling in the IPL after playing a vital role in India’s world cup winning campaign. What makes him dangerous is the fact he isn’t prone to many errors and with him adding some new tricks to his arsenal he is proving to be valuable addition to the Mumbai squad.

Rohit Sharma…Playing in his home team after having spend productive three seasons with Deccan, Rohit Sharma is a terrific timer of a cricket ball but hasn’t got many chances to bat for Mumbai with top order doing a fantastic job. He will be itching to play a big innings to stake his claim for a spot in the Indian team.

SQUAD

Abu Nechim , Aditya Tare (wk), Aiden Blizzard, Ali Murtaza, Ambati Rayudu, Andrew Symonds, Davy Jacobs, Dhawal Kulkarni, Harbhajan Singh, James Franklin, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Moises Henriques, Munaf Patel, Pawan Suyal, Rajagopal Sathish, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar (c), Santosh Yadav, Sarul Kanwar, Tirumalsetti Suman, Yuzvendra Chahal.

CHENNAI

Players who can make impact…

Albie Morkel…Chennai retained big hitting South African all-rounder after experiencing what he brings to the set up in first three seasons. However, Chennai is yet to witness fireworks from Morkel’s bat and he hasn’t performed to his liking with ball as well. Friday could well turn out to be his evening if performs to his potential in either of the department.

Suresh Raina…Indian batting star had a couple of good innings in the tournament so far but yet to play a big innings. He would be keen to do that and if he gets going there aren’t many who can match his hitting skills. He holds key in the field as well being best fielder for the team and can role his arm when skipper wants him to do so.

Squad

Abhinav Mukund, Albie Morkel, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Ganapathi Vignesh, George Bailey, Joginder Sharma, K Vasudevadas, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni (c)(wk), Murali Vijay, Nuwan Kulasekara, R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Scott Styris, Shadab Jakati ,Srikkanth Anirudha, Sudeep Tyagi, Suraj Randiv, Suresh Raina, Tim Southee, Wriddhiman Saha ,Yo Mahesh.