With the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just a day away, defending champions Mumbai Indians are being backed by the bookies to retain their title this season as per reports. The opening clash will take place on September 19 and it involves four-time champions Mumbai Indians taking on three-time winners Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi. It will be the clash between Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, two of the finest captains not just in IPL but in world cricket.
As per reports, just a few days before the start of IPL 2020, the Gurugram Police has also asked its Intelligence Wing, Crime Branch Unit and Station House Officers (SHOs) of all the districts to keep an eye on the bookies. According to multiple reports, after Mumbai Indias, its Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings who are tipped by the bookies as 2nd and 3rd favorites while Kohli Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals are after them accordingly.
Ahead of Saturday's mega encounter, Mumbai Indians hold the edge over Chennai Super Kings, having won three out of their four IPL titles by beating the Chennai Super Kings in 2013, 2015 and 2019. In their last encounter in 2019, Mumbai Indians won the match by one run in the final in Hyderabad when Lasith Malinga bowled a perfect slower ball to deceive Shardul Thakur.
In the build-up to IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings have been jolted by the withdrawals of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh while 13 members of their entourage tested positive for the coronavirus. For Mumbai Indians, apart from missing Lasith Malinga, the rest of the build-up has been smooth.
Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings matches are considered the marquee clash of the IPL.
