'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
“When I go out there, I have no pity on my brother. I am out there to win.” spurted Joe Frazer, a champion American boxer, on the eve of ‘Fight of the Century’- the title clash- against his all time rival Muhammad Ali. Such arch-rivalry is the cornerstone of any individual sport. Cricket, though a team-sport is barely an exception to this kind of singular battles. And those singular battles sometimes even surface between two same nationals while they play for different teams. The IPL which attracts the best cricketing talent from across the globe, has been a boxing ring of sorts for friends who turn foes, at least during the match, as they play for different franchises.As many cricketers are landing in India fresh after a splendid performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup held in the Antipodes, fans are going to be witnesses to some fierce rivalry between national colleagues in this eighth edition of the T20 tournament. Here are 5 such battles:
#5 David Warner vs Mitchell Johnson
The attacking Australian opener was scintillating for SRH last season as he managed to pile up 528 runs at an average of 48 and a phenomenal strike of 148. Mitchell Johnson, though wasn’t at his best during the World Cup, can do a lot of damage when he peaks on a cricketing field and had 17 wickets to his credit for Kings XI in the 2014 season.
The left hand batsman from New South Wales and the left-arm pacer from Queensland should have played enough domestic cricket against each other in the Australian domestic tournaments. Despite ending their World Cup journey together in a glorious fashion they will carry forward the local animosity on to the IPL as well and give something to cheer for the viewers who are waiting with bated breath.
#4 Chris Gayle vs Sunil Narine
The Jamaican giant Chris Gayle and the mysterious Trinidadian Sunil Narine are two of the most heard names in the IPL circuit. The two West Indians have already pulled out several magical performances that would speak volumes about their worth.
Gayle, who plays for RCB, holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL as he bludgeoned the now defunct franchise Pune Warriors India for 175 in 66 balls in IPL 2013. Sunil Narine, on the other hand, is considered a valuable asset for KKR as he can spin a yarn over the opponents and keep the defending champions on top this season as well.
Gayle will be looking to make amends after the World Cup debacle, whereas Narine is fresh to start as he his action has now been cleared by BCCI and he is allowed to play. What these two can offer when they come up against each other to the entertainment hungry fans remains to be seen.
#3 Brendon McCullum vs Trent Boult
New Zealanders are usually said to be nice in treating people, but sports can make things go really wild. McCullum, the Kiwi skipper, was on a demolition mode in the just concluded World Cup in his homeland.
He took on some of the best attacks in World cricket with effortless ease. Even in the IPL, he was the first one to score a century in the inaugural edition in 2008 which still is nightmarish for few bowlers when thought about. This athletic opener is currently playing for CSK.
“Tim Southee and Trent Boult are two blokes whom I wouldn’t swap for anyone else. They are the two best men I have.” McCullum said authoritatively during the World Cup’15. Ironically, the Black Caps’ skipper has to be on the receiving end when it comes to IPL, as Trent Boult is set to make his IPL debut for SRH and is set to take the league by storm. Given the threatening form both are currently in, this is going to be one hell of a contest to watch out for.
#2 Glenn Maxwell vs Mitchell Starc
Glenn Maxwell, the hero of IPL-2014, is all set to gear up to play for Kings XI Punjab this season as well; while Mitchell Starc, the hero of World Cup 2015, will take charge for the Bangalore based RCB. These two Australians are at present one of the best in their business.
Maxwell was devastating in the last IPL as he plundered 554 runs with four fifties. Mitchell Starc too was exciting for the RCB as he took 14 wickets and at a strike rate of 23. These two men had a memorable World Cup campaign and in all probability are touted to reproduce similar heroics in the T20 extravaganza as well, but how much of it is going to come against each other is eagerly awaited by one and all.
#1 AB de Villiers vs Dale Steyn
The mother of all one on one battles in the IPL is the one between these two terrific South Africans. AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn offer a classic duel which is IPL’s most expected . Footages of ABD assaulting the world’s best fast bowler in both the 2013 and 2014 editions are awe-inspiring when watched even today.
The way the versatile South African batsman in RCB colours played a block-hole yorker from his Sunrisers counter-part over the fine-leg for a six proves what this edition may hold for us. "There are only two games in a year I dread – it's the two IPL games I play against this guy (de Villiers)," Steyn confessed after he took severe pounding from his fellow countryman, in 2014.
