IPL 8: Kohli or Dhoni - who are you rooting for tonight?

When the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - one of the most prolific teams of the Indian Premier League (IPL) - lost to the Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier of this year's edition of the tournament, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ousted its challengers from Rajasthan, IPL fans knew what that entailed. It set up a clash of gigantic proportions, one worthy of the grand finale itself, and one that had all of us smacking our lips. No, it is not merely a clash between two of the most talented teams of the IPL. There is something much beyond that, which has whetted the interest of the fans.

So CSK versus RCB in the second qualifier of the IPL is no more the story. Instead, what has come to have a life of its own is a match up between the two captains - two personalities, who are so very different yet so similar in so many ways. Normally, individual rivalries are the sub-plots to bigger battles, but this is one contest where the individuals overwhelm the battle itself. And why shouldn't they, if the individuals in question are Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni?

Some of the tweets reflect the interest in the Kohli-Dhoni battle:

Looking forward to working on #RCBvsCSK at Ranchi day after tomorrow. And to being in Kolkata to see the winner play #MI. #PepsiIPL

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 20, 2015

ODI captain vs Test Captain #CSK #RCB gonna b FUNnn

— Mihir (@koolmihir) May 22, 2015

Oh Yes !!! Match day today that too between the most entertaing teams :D #RCBvsCSK ;P

— ♡RCBian Baarbie♡ (@Inductiveberry_) May 22, 2015

Clash of the titans...coming soon. #RCBvsCSK #IPL pic.twitter.com/uI72vCiz0t

— Mystic Heart (@MysticHeart25) May 21, 2015

Big game today!!! #CSKVSRCB MSDhoni VS Virat Cool Captain VS Vice Captain #SOExcited pic.twitter.com/Q0mLkYrx5f

— keerthana gowri (@MSDSakshimylife) May 22, 2015

When Kohli arrived on the international stage, Dhoni had already established himself. The latter had guided India to their maiden World T20 crown a year before and impressed one and all with his bludgeoning shots (as well as his flowing locks, which for some unfathomable reason he chose to trim).

Kohli had to prove himself and he did. It did not take long for him to be hailed as the "next big thing" of the famous Indian batting. Such has been the glow of his abundant talent that comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar followed. One still fondly remembers his 86-ball unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in Hobart in a series down under in 2012. That surreal innings helped India to chase down over 320 runs in a little less than 37 overs. There have been many such innings that he has played over the years that have secured his place in the hearts of the fans, and I dare say, the Indian fan has truly found a rallying point after Tendulkar retired. Like Tendulkar, Kohli, in a very short span of time has become a mascot of our aspirations.

So when he goes around with his Bollywood diva girlfriend, we derive vicarious satisfaction, when he walks out like a gladiator against a hostile bowling attack and mesmerises them into defeat, we find vicarious satisfaction. Kohli, like Dhoni, has to live with the fact that as individuals and achievers, their personal lives would attract more than their fair share of eyeballs. So Kohli and Anushka Sharma are perhaps as closely followed as Dhoni and Sakshi have been. But the way both Kohli and Dhoni have managed that (often unwanted) attention takes a lot of doing and speaks volumes of their fortitude.

A common trait of both of these personalities has been their ability to be unflustered by what the world says. It is this ability that has helped them in their captaincy. Both of them have proved to be born leaders of men and have taken to captaincy as a fish takes to water. So while Dhoni has the credit of leading India to World Cup crowns in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20s and number one Test ranking, Kohli had led the India colts to a World Cup victory.

Their "don't give a damn" attitude has ensured that no tactics, no mindgame by the opposition can unsettle them. Yet, in spite of all this aggression, both are different.

While Dhoni exudes a calm confidence (hence the nickname "Captain Cool"), Kohli loves to wear all the aggression on his sleeve (how can one forget his infamous spat with Gautam Gambhir in an IPL match?). Dhoni inspires a sense of assurance with his composure. With Dhoni, you know that your innings may flounder in a World Cup final, but he would promote himself up the order and play a captain's knock and take his side to victory. With Kohli, everything is about flamboyance, spunk and style. He would be your man if you have to chase down an improbable total (recall the Hobart innings).

However, as the clash of the titans draws closer, you have to question if Kohli has pulled just a bit ahead of Dhoni. Kohli gives the unmistakable impression that he is the future of Indian cricket and has taken over the baton from Dhoni. Dhoni still wields considerable influence in the corridors of power in Indian cricket, but his successor, it seems, has all but dethroned him. And Kohli taking over the Test captaincy was the official seal on what was brewing for some time.

So in tonight's match, Gayle and de Villiers may wield their big bats with telling effect, and Dwayne Bravo may do a star turn, but people will keep on talking about the Kohli-Dhoni duel long before and after the match. Which side are you on?