IPL 2018: 5 players who will be crucial in deciding the IPL opener between MI and CSK

The most awaited cricket league, the Indian Premier League is scheduled to start today. The first match will be played between the two most successful IPL teams, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings.

CSK and MI have gone head to head on 23 different occasions and MI is a little ahead of their opponents with 13 wins.

While the two sides have retained a number of players from the previous campaigns, there are many amazing and talented players who will be featured in the much-awaited IPL opener. It is hard to say which team has an upper hand, however, there are certain players whose performances will be crucial to deciding the result of the match.

Without much ado, let us look at five such players who will be the keys to deciding the opener between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.

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#5 MS Dhoni

MSD will lead CSK against MI

One of the most successful captains in the history of cricket, MS Dhoni is back with his old club after they served their two years of the ban.

He led CSK to two IPL triumphs before the ban and will be looking forward to replicating the same success after signing the core back of that team.

MS Dhoni is in the 8th position on the list of IPL's highest run-scorers and has scored 3561 runs at an average of 37.88. He has an impressive strike rate of 136.75 with 70 being his highest score. The CSK captain has 17 IPL half-centuries to his name and is regarded as one the best finishers in the game.

His leadership qualities will be vital against MI as CSK is playing an IPL after two years and their fans will be looking at him to score some important runs during the concluding overs of their innings.

#4 Jasprit Bhumrah

Jasprit Bumrah needs to step up for MI

As Lasith Malinga is not a part of the MI squad this year, Jasprit Bumrah has huge shoes to fill for the defending Champions.

Jasprit Bumrah was picked up by the Mumbai-based side in 2013 but had failed to make an impact till 2016. He took 15 wickets in the 2016 edition of the IPL and was the main bowler of the Mumbai Indians alongside Mitchell McClenaghan.

He started the following season even more strongly and helped MI win their third IPL title. Bumrah took 20 wickets that year and was his team's leading wicket-taker. The Gujrat born pacer has 46 IPL wickets to his name and we can expect a lot more from him, given his young age.

The Indian international will be Mumbai's key bowler against CSK and he will bowl for them in the powerplay as well as the death overs.

#3 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard has been playing a vital role for Mumbai for the last several years

Kieron Pollard is amongst the best power hitters in the world and is capable of hitting any bowler out of the fence.

The West Indian is with the Mumbai Indians since 2010 and was the main force behind their last three IPL titles. However, they opted not to retain him and decided to sign him through the auctions, in which they succeeded.

He has 147 IPL sixes to his name and has scored 2343 runs in 123 matches. He averages 28.92 runs per game and has an impressive strike rate of 146.52. The aggressive all-rounder is a death-over specialist and has 56 wickets.

#2 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is the highest run scorer in the IPL

Regarded as one of the best left-handed batsmen in the world, Suresh Raina is the top run scorer in the history of the IPL.

He has scored 4540 runs in 161 IPL matches at an average of 32.61 with a strike rate of 139.09. He has 31 half-centuries and one century to his name and has the highest score of 100.

Raina has never missed a game for CSK and was the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in the IPL. He is the first and only player to have scored over 400 runs in 7 consecutive (2008 to 2014) IPL seasons.

Suresh Raina will add stability into CSK's middle-order and can also bowl a few overs for them if needed.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma will play a vital role for Mumbai

One of the most successful IPL captains, Rohit Sharma is considered one of the most talented batsmen of his generation.

Known for his technique and power hitting, the former Deccan Chargers' man has smashed the ball out of the fence 172 times which makes him the batsman with the third-most sixes in the IPL.

He has scored 4207 runs in 159 matches at an average of 32.61 with a strike rate of 130.89. He also scored one century in the IPL and has the highest score of 109.

The Indian opener should open the innings for MI against CSK and their fans will be expecting a good start from their captain.