IPL 2018, CSK vs MI: Five players to watch out for 

While all the action comes back to the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, the giants Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings already find themselves facing each other for the second time in the Vivo IPL 2018.

The first 20 days of the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League could hardly have been worse for Mumbai Indians. They have lost five of the six games they have played so far. To add insult to injury they have failed to defend 118 runs at their home den against Sunrisers Hyderabad by registering their joint least total in the history of IPL on Tuesday. But the points table doesn't probably give an accurate reflection of how Mumbai Indians have fared in the Indian Premier League 2018 so far. They have seen runs come at some stage from their top five batsmen except in the match against SRH, while the bowling hasn't been too bad. It's just that they couldn't cling on to those crucial moments in the matches and incurred losses with very small margins more often.

While on the other hand, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side have hardly put a foot wrong despite losing a close game against KXIP. They have been on the roll this season with arguably the best batting line-up of the tournament. They have multiple match-winners in Watson, Rayudu, Bravo, Billings, Raina and the skipper himself. Their spin-heavy bowling line-up has also been decent thus far.

The last time the two teams met in the season opener at Wankhade and it had resulted in a compelling last-over finish with Kedar Jadhav and Dwayne Bravo taking CSK past the finish line.

With one team desperately finding winning ways and other cruising towards a play-offs spot, let's take a look at five players who could make an impact in this clash of titans.

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#5 Surya Kumar Yadav

The Mumbai born right-handed batsman has been the most consistent of all the Mumbai Indians batsmen. With 230 runs to his name in six innings, the 27-year-old leads the batting chart for Mumbai Indians.

After a fine show in the middle-order at the beginning of the season, the youngster was promoted to open the innings and he has been exceptional in that role too.

The struggling Mumbai Indians would want the former KKR batsman to continue his rich vein form and score big in their clash against the table toppers, CSK.

#4 Rohit Sharma

The Mumbai Indians skipper, Rohit Sharma, has not been living up to his reputation as a batsman as well as a captain. A total of 140 runs in six innings and an average of 23.33 is not just what his team expected of a player of his caliber.

With his team slowly losing playoffs hopes there will be an extra burden on Rohit to take care of alongside his batting failures.

Considering the tough phase he is in, it will be interesting to see how Rohit fares in the all-important clash.

#3 Shane Watson

The Australian all-rounder is having a dream season with Chennai Super Kings this year as he became the first centurion of this season when he scored a swashbuckling 106 off 57 balls to guide his team to a comprehensive 64-run victory against Rajasthan Royals.

With 191 runs in six games thus far at an average of 31.83 and a strike-rate of 161.86, the 36-year-old is the third highest run-getter for CSK.

He also has done justice to his role in the team by chipping in with 6 wickets by conceding at a decent 8.23 runs per over with the ball.

With the first century of this tournament on his name, Watson must be riding on confidence

#2 MS Dhoni

The Chennai Super King skipper has reiterated it to the world that the finisher in him is still alive with his match-winning knock of 70 off 34 against RCB on Wednesday.

The former Indian captain has been in phenomenal form this season as he scored 209 runs in six appearances thus far. He scored them at an impressive average of nearly 70 and a staggering strike rate of 166.

With him coming back to what he does best, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune may witness another Dhoni special this Saturday.

#1 Ambati Rayudu

After being in the shadow of the stars during his stint with Mumbai Indians over the years the Andhra born cricketer has finally come into the limelight this season playing for Chennai Super Kings.

Opening this season with Shane Watson, the right-hander has been exceptional for Chennai as he scored 283 runs in six innings at an average of 47.17 and a strike rate of nearly 159.

His innings of 82 off 53 balls against RCB a few days back could well be the best knock of the season thus far.

Given his batting exploits and the maturity that he has been showing in this season, Rayudu will be the key player for Chennai to come on top against Mumbai.