Pune: Rajasthan Royals and Sunrises Hyderabad face off against each other as both sides look to start the tournament on a winning note. Both sides have multiple match-winners in their lineups.
It will be closely watched how their talented skipper Sanju Samson fares in the batting department. He has been around the scene for a long time now, but has not lived up to expectations.
Despite being inconsistent, he would like to change that and lead the team to a title this season, their first since 2008.
It's Samson's turn once or twice a year to make a big hit, but this time he will have to go the extra mile in order to win the Royals that elusive second championship.
In addition, Samson's performance in the IPL could help him secure a place in the Indian team as the T20 World Cup is approaching.
Jaipur's opening duo is most likely to be Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal.
With Buttler and Padikkal tearing into bowling attacks, the Royals have a good chance of succeeding. If they can get off to a good start, Samson and the others can follow.
Royals have a range of players to choose from for the middle order that includes Shimron Hetmyer, Rassie Van der Dussen, Jimmy Neesham and Riyan Parag, and their performances will determine how well the team does.
With the addition of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal to the bowling unit, they have a more potent attack this time around.
In the overall context of a particular match, their eight overs are crucial and nothing would please skipper Samson more than if they can spin a web around the SRH batters.
Former Mumbai Indians spearhead Trent Boult will lead the pace attack along with Navdeep Saini and Prasidh Krishna.
SRH could benefit greatly from the experience of Kane Williamson, who is probably the best batter in their lineup.
The hard-hitting West Indian Nicholas Pooran, Priyam Garg and Rahul Tripathi will take over the middle order responsibilities as Williamson's compatriot Glenn Phillips opens the batting.
Williamson may bat at No.3, in which case Ravikumar Samarth will open the batting, while Abdul Samad will contribute as a finisher.
Although Tripathi has also had some successful knocks in the IPL, he needs to be more consistent.
One of the finest death bowlers is Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but both he and new fast bowler Umran Malik have to dish out consistent spells.
As he attempts to reclaim his place in the national team, left-arm pacer T Natarajan will look to get his yorkers right.
Washington Sundar, another specialist in T20 cricket, can be indispensable to the Sunrisers, with either Shreyas Gopal or J Suchith making an appearance for the team.