The craze of India-Pakistan's high octane clash among the fans is immeasurable and so is for the clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) which is popularly knows as Indian Premier League's El Clasico.
Five-time title holders MI and the defending champions CSK are all set to lock horns in an IPL clash on Thursday and its excitement among the fans is palpable who is eagerly waiting for highly anticipated clash.
However, the 15th season has brought agony for both the sides as their performance has been underwhelming so far in the tournament. While Rohit Sharma-led side are reeling on bottom of the table, Ravindra Jadeja-led side are wobbling just above MI on ninth place in the IPL points table.
Meanwhile, right ahead of the match, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has represented both franchises, said that the MI-CSK clash gives him the feeling similar to an India-Pakistan game.
"It felt strange when I first wore the CSK jersey after sitting in the Mumbai Indians dressing room for 10 years. For me, both the teams have been very special. The match between these two IPL giants gives the feeling of an India-Pakistan contest due to the rivalry factor and the level of competition," Harbhajan told Star Sports.
"When I first stepped down on the field against MI, I was praying for the match to end soon because there was emotion and a lot of pressure involved in that game. Luckily that match ended early and CSK won it," he further added.
Meanwhile, MI's star batter Suryakumar Yadav and their new recruit Dewald Brevis also shared about their part of the excitement ahead of the clash between CSK and MI.
Speaking on the MI TV on Star Sports, Suryakumar said, "I think it has been going on for a decade now people are talking about MI vs CSK. I think it has always been there and I feel it will always be there because that bond between the two teams is very special whenever both the teams take the ground against each other, I feel it's a completely different atmosphere altogether."
"For our family, the IPL is one of the biggest T20 leagues we follow. I really want to be honest about my family. So, from the start of the IPL, my mother has been a Mumbai supporter. She loves Mumbai and she was so happy and grateful when I got contracted here," the young South African said.
"My Dad was from Kolkata but everyone in the family moved now to Mumbai. I still need to work a bit on my brother as he is a CSK supporter but I think he will get in there," he said about the loyalties of his family members.
