5 classic duels we'll get to watch in MCL

In less than 2 weeks time, we will be seeing some of the biggest cricketing legends battle it out in the Masters Champions League (MCL). The tournament features six teams, which have been named after zodiac signs, consisting of retired players from different countries.The MCL roster includes some big names that have played cricket in the past two decades and brought glory to their respective nations. This provides us with the exciting prospect of seeing some great rivalries of the past getting renewed.Here are 5 classic duels we are likely to witness in the Masters Champions League:

#5 Virender Sehwag - Graeme Swann

Sehwag nonchalance towards off-spinners is well known, but Swann is also a class apart.

A duel which will be on the cards during the inaugural edition of the Masters Champions League is the one between ace Indian opener Virender Sehwag and England's great off-spinner Graeme Swann. Sehwag is a member of the Gemini Arabians roster, whereas Swann will play for the Libra Legends.

Virender Sehwag is known to get after the spinners and he did the same to Swann as well during his international career. The dashing opener had a terrific average of 61.40 against the England offie in Tests. However, Graeme Swann too has pulled a few back on Viru as he dismissed him on as many as 5 occasions.

In ODIs, though, it was a Sehwag show all the way as he averaged 69 and got out only once to Swann. It will be fantastic to see the two of them lock horns once again in the shortest format of the game at the MCL.

#4 Adam Gilchrist - Jacques Kallis

The two stalwarts will collide in the MCL

An epic duel which we are going to witness in the Masters Champions League is between former Aussie wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist and South Africa’s legendary allrounder Jacques Kallis. While Gilchrist has been lapped up by the Sagittarius Strikers, Kallis made his way into the Libra Legends team.

The two legends had quite a rivalry during their days of international cricket together. In fact, Kallis has dismissed Gilchrist quite a number of times in both Test and ODI cricket. The southpaw averages 18 against Kallis in Tests and has been dismissed 6 times by him.

On the other hand, the South African medium-pacer has nailed Adam Gilchrist 5 times in ODIs with the latter averaging 31 against him. It will be quite a confrontation when the two collide with each other at the MCL.

#3 Sourav Ganguly - Daniel Vettori

Ganguly’s love for left-arm spinners would pose a challenge for Vettori.

A great duel to look forward to during the MCL will be the one between former Indian skipper and batsman Sourav Ganguly and great Kiwi left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori. Ganguly will be captain of the Libra Legends franchise and Vettori will be representing the Sagittarius Strikers.

Most of us are well aware of Sourav Ganguly’s fascination for left-arm spinners during his international career. Ganguly and Vettori have confronted each other primarily in ODI cricket and the Kiwi has managed to dismiss the Indian southpaw three times.

However, the wickets have come at a steep price as Sourav averages 56 against Vettori’s bowling in ODIs. Dada, as Ganguly is fondly called, will be licking his lips at the prospect of whacking Daniel Vettori out of the park, while the left-arm spinner will be out to pull one back on his rival.

#2 Herschelle Gibbs - Brett Lee

Brett Lee dismisses Herschelle Gibbs in a Test match in 2005

Another great duel we are likely to witness in the Masters Champions League is between former Australian paceman Brett Lee and swashbuckling South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs. Lee has been picked up by the Virgo Super Kings whereas Gibbs will be part of the Leo Lions.

Brett Lee ruled the roost in the rivalry between the two in international cricket, be it in Tests or ODIs. Lee is second on the list of bowlers who have dismissed Herschelle Gibbs the most number of times in Test cricket with 5 instances against his name. Gibbs, on the other hand, averages a paltry 17 against the Aussie quick bowler.

They have not had too many confrontations in ODI cricket as the South African averages just 10 against Brett Lee with the latter having dismissed him just once. Herschelle Gibbs may have a point or two to prove to Lee at the MCL.

#1 Brian Lara - Muttiah Muralitharan

Lara generally had the upper hand in his rivalry against Murali

The most highly anticipated duel of the MCL is the one between great West Indian batsman Brian Lara and Sri Lanka’s spin bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan. While Lara will be representing the Leo Lions franchise, Murali will be in action for the star-studded Gemini Arabians.

During their playing days in international cricket, the two enjoyed a great rivalry even though it was dominated mostly by the man from the Caribbean. Most of their battles came in Test cricket where Lara averaged 56.80 against the off-spinner despite being dismissed by him 5 times in his career.

In ODIs, Muralitharan was dominated even more by the legendary southpaw as he averaged 82 and gave away his wicket only once. The MCL would provide both of them room to rekindle a great rivalry.