With defending champions Chennai Super Kings set to face Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL season opener this year, former batter Abhinav Mukund believes Chepauk is 'no more a fortress' for the five-time champions. Mukund, who played for Chennai Super Kings between 2008 and 2012, claimed on Thursday that RCB can fancy their chances, but CSK will prevail.
CSK versus RCB has been a great rivalry over the years. RCB has come incredibly close to winning at Chepauk but couldn't cross the line. A couple of these moments will be etched in fans' hearts.
~Mukund said
The good thing for RCB is that the pitches in Chennai have changed. It's no longer a fortress for CSK. They lost to Punjab (Kings) and KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) at home (last year) even though they won the trophy. But looking at the spin-friendly conditions and the spinners they have, CSK looks stronger on paper.
~the former India batter was quoted as saying by Jio Cinema
The schedule for the first two weeks and 21 matches of the T20 extravaganza was released on Thursday, with the MS Dhoni-led CSK playing two games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chennai's next home game would be a rematch of last year's championship versus Gujarat Titans on March 26.
Meanwhile, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expects Dhoni to be in his role as the team leader.
"MS Dhoni will do his thing. He'll show us that captaincy that has such a huge impact just like last season," Manjrekar was quoted as saying by Star Sports.
"With the role that MS Dhoni had last season, it's clear to see that captaincy in the IPL is so important. As a batter, he contributed a bit, but for the youngsters and inexperienced players, he makes them champions — that's his speciality," he added.
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