IPL 2019: Dhoni vs Kohli to enlighten opening day amid no opening ceremony

Will Dhoni's ice-cool temperament once again be the game changer against Virat Kohli's aggression? One will find out when the Yellow Army meets the Red Brigade later in the evening at Cheapuk

The cricket fans across the world are all set for the biggest T20 carnival – the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 12 which begins from Saturday in Chennai. This season, the opening will be a little different than the past editions. For the first time, there won’t be an opening ceremony to mark the formal beginning of the tournament.

Just one more day to go! #WhistlePodu #VivoIPL2019 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/J8P52cKuwM

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2019

As a goodwill gesture, BCCI has cancelled the glittering ceremony as a mark of respect to the CRPF bravehearts who lost their lives in the dastardly terror attack in Pulwama. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai announced that the money which was due to be spent in the opening ceremony will be donated the families of the martyred jawans in the recent Pulwama attack.

MATCH 1: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Dhoni-led CSK come into the tournament as the defending champions after scripting a remarkable comeback in 2018 which saw them winning a record-equaling third title under the brilliant captaincy of MS Dhoni.

The #AnbuDen mustafa-mustafa before the big match! #WhistlePodu #YelloveAgain 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/OniD3TuK8n

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2019

The Yellow army has always held the edge over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the past encounters. Out of the 22 clashes between the two teams, CSK have won a larger share of the pie winning 14, with RCB ending up winners on 7 occasions and one match witnessing no result.

SIR-REAL times coming up! #Thala looking forward! #OnTheWaySir #WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/kPtl2yI5AR

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 19, 2019

To put things in better perspective, CSK have maintained a stranglehold over RCB, winning the last six IPL matches between the teams.

Star Player against RCB

Going by the past records, MS Dhoni would be the key player for CSK against RCB, amassing a staggering 710 runs against the Red Brigade which the most by any batsman in IPL history. Besides him, Watson comes into the tournament after a great season in PSL where he scored 430 runs in 12 innings and was among the top run-getters in the Big Bash League in December-January.

Whistle parakkum paaru! #ThalaParaak #WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/6EeMkYT0QY

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 17, 2019

CSK hold the historical edge in the 'South Indian derby' but every T20 game is a new one and the team faring better on the given day goes onto win. Will Dhoni's ice-cool temperament once again be the game changer against Virat Kohli's fire and aggression? One will find out when the Yellow Army meets the Red Brigade later in the evening at Cheapuk.