IPL 6: Final - CSK vs MI - Chennai Super Kings Preview
It’s the big day today, and finally the moment we all were waiting for has arrived. We will find out today whether CSK will be IPL champions for the 3rd time in 6 years, or the much-fancied MI side will end their championship drought to be crowned the new IPL champions, when both the teams face-off for the final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. CSK have made the IPL finals their very own, as it’s the fourth consecutive time they have managed a place in the final. MI, on the other hand, will be playing their second final in the IPL after 2010. Coincidentally, they faced CSK in that final too, which they lost unfortunately. MI are coming into this match from a close win over RR in the second qualifier, which they won with only 1 ball to spare. CSK, however, beat MI in the first qualifier to reach the final, and they won it in a convincing manner as well.
CSK have looked ominous this year, and so has their batting. They have been piling up some huge scores in the tournament almost incessantly. Michael Hussey, at the top of the order, has been in the form of his life. The Aussie southpaw has been simply majestic with his stroke making. Murali Vijay hasn’t been consistent this year, but has the tendency of churning out some match-winning knocks in big matches. Suresh Raina has been destructive, and might prove to be a nightmare for MI again if they don’t manage to get him early. MS Dhoni hasn’t got enough chances to score big this year, but has managed to change the game with some of his flourishing knocks during the death overs. The likes of Badrinath, Bravo, Jadeja and Morkel haven’t come up with a lot of significant scores this year, but are certainly capable of destroying the opposition when needed.
CSK’s bowlers have been able to compliment their batsmen very well this season. Mohit Sharma has been dream find for them, as the Indian bowler has picked up some crucial wickets and also managed to control the flow of runs with the new ball. Albie Morkel and Chris Morris have been sharp with their line and length, while R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have delivered the goods in the spin department all through the tournament. However, the bowler who has been Dhoni’s trump card this year is Dwayne Bravo. The Caribbean all-rounder has almost been impossible to score against at the death, and also is the current purple cap holder.
Conditions:
Conditions here can be a bit dicey at times. Traditionally, the pitch here is slow and low, and is expected to assist the slow bowlers. But curators have done a good job to prepare a reasonably good track to bat on, as is evident from some of the high scores put up by the teams in the previous few matches here.
Key Players:
Michael Hussey - Mr. Cricket has been at his best so far, providing his side with some flourishing starts. He is the the highest scorer in the IPL so far, and will be expected to deliver at the top again today.
Suresh Raina – This talented left-hander has been rather ruthless in his approach to batting this year. His heroics with the bat during the middle and death overs are very well known, and CSK will definitely depend on him to reach a significant score today.
Head to head:
The win/loss ratio is a bit skewed towards MI, who have won 8 of the 14 games played between the 2 teams so far. CSK have won 6 of them.
CSK’s strategy:
Teams have often chased here and won. But considering the pressure of chasing in a big final, CSK might opt to bat first if the coin falls on their side. Their batsmen have been in stupendous form and they might like to put up a big score on the board batting first.
Possible XI:
They have been dominating and winning the matches rather comfortably this season. They are likely to field the same XI that played against MI in the first qualifier.
Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(c/wk), S Badrinath, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Chris Morris, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel and Mohit Sharma.