06 May,2009 08:26 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
In today's crucial Indian Premier League game at Centurion, the winner, in all probability will be decided by the outcome of the doubles contest between the opening partnerships of the two Ss of Mumbai Indians and the two Gs of Deccan Chargers. Awesome Twosome: Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya
Reliant
Mumbai Indians are heavily reliant on their openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya while Chargers are as dependent on openers Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs.
The two pairs form the most devastating opening combination in limited overs cricket. Their exploits as openers for their respective countries in the one-day format evokes awe and getting them to pair together is definitely a masterstroke.
When any of these hard-hitting batsmen get going it is difficult to stop them and when they get going together, it can be absolute mayhem.
Tendulkar and Jayasuriya showed that in the 127-run opening blitz against Kolkata Knight Riders, while Gilchrist and Gibbs gave Mumbai Indians the taste of their own medicine with a 63-run partnership in 6.5 overs during their first-leg game at Durban. Gilchrist hit 35 off 20 balls and Gibbs 58 off 44 in that game to set up their team's 12-run win.
All four have been in good nick and are on top of their team's run charts. In seven games, Gilchrist aggregates 210 runs at a strike rate of 154.41. Gibbs, meanwhile, has scored 191 runs in the same number of innings.
Tendulkar has scored 209 runs in six games at a strike rate of 124.40 while Jayasuriya has 137 runs, which includes two half-centuries, in six games.
The fortunes of their respective teams this season have been directly linked to the performances of the opening pairs. In their last game, Chargers' batting was blown away by Chennai Super Kings once both their top two batters went for ducks.
"Gibbs and Gilly are big players for them, it will be important to get an early breakthrough," said Indians coach Shaun Pollock.
Big-match players
About his own champions Pollock said: "Sachin and Sanath are big-match players. They are big players for us. We need them to fire," said Pollock.u00a0
Jayasuriya agreed that the onus was on him and Tendulkar to set the base for the Mumbai Indians in today's game.
"Obviously, the expectations are very high from me and Sachin. If one of us can bat for 15 overs, we can get a good total. Sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesn't work but we will try our best," said Jayasuriya.
All eyes will be on the start of the two innings today. The combination which will earn the title of awesome twosome should help its team take the cake.
