Kolkata Knights Riders versus Chennai Super Kings, the tournament opener couldn’t have been more thrilling. The two Indian Premier League (IPL) sides will lift curtains from the Champions League T20 today in Hyderabad.
Knights Riders are an explosive side, while Super Kings, on the other hand, are the most balanced bunch. It is difficult to predict who will emerge winner in the opening fixture, but one thing is sure that there will be plenty of volatility in the tie.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Super Kings are one of the most consistent teams, be it in IPL or CLT20, and it is another opportunity of the captain fantastic to add another feather to his hat.
The former champions are boasted by the inclusion of West Indies limited-overs skipper Dwayne Bravo and they have plenty of fire power, in form of Proteas Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni as well.
Most Super Kings players are heading with plenty of international cricket under their belt but contrary they haven’t played together since IPL, which could go against them.
“You don’t get the same amount of time with the team,” Dhoni said. “As I said, it has its own challenge. Still it is good. We get enough time to get together.”
“The two months of IPL, the time, we spend that really helps us,” he added. “It becomes like a refresher course, where you get together and start getting your acts together.”
Kolkata is a strong unit on paper and the momentum is on their side. KKR are the reigning IPL champions and moreover they are on a five-match winning streak.
However, they will be missing the services of Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and Proteas pacer Morne Morkel but they still a team to beat in the tournament.
Skipper Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kallis and Umesh Yadav are some of the name featuring for KKR.
KKR has never won the CLT20 crown, and if there will be any, this is their best opportunity to clinch their maiden title. However, it will not be easy for the Gambhir-led side as the Super Kings leads Knights Riders 9-5 in the head-to-head encounters.
“Obviously (we will miss them),” Gambhir said. “I would be lying if I say I won’t miss them. They are quality performers. Especially Shakib is an unbelievable performer. But it gives opportunity for other young guys who have been waiting.”
“Hopefully they can grab the opportunity and deliver it for us,” Gambhir added. “This will also help us in next IPL if they perform well. We will have big pool to select the team for IPL.”
