Bengaluru: It’s not for the first time in the Indian Premier League that two in-form teams will clash for the trophy in a tournament that is relished, rejoiced and even revered by millions. And, it’s not for the first time that two teams whose campaign took off in contrasting directions are set to do battle for the T20’s ultimate domestic-global prize, at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium on Sunday.
Let’s face it: even the T20 World Cup, sans India, does not have such a thriving market and viewership as the IPL does. It is a global phenomenon and doubts if any can be totally put to bed by the performances over the last week, if not more.
Let’s face it: whatever be the ills that dog the sport, apparently being brought down by a sprinkling few who are lured by riches and not rationale, the game itself is too huge to crumble.
If Chris Gayle’s humungous 175 last season is the altar where all batsmen will aim to pay obeisance, then jaw-dropping knocks from Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan and Corey Anderson this week lays startling emphasis that IPL borders on fanaticism, from the fans and players alike.
The IPL is a long gruelling stretch but the 45-plus days of sheer thrill and cricketing madness, depending on the way you look at it does provide enough scope for teams to bounce back and make a pitch for it.
If Kings XI Punjab, driven by the forgotten maverick Virender Sehwag in high-scoring contest against the formidable and most consistent team ever, Chennai Super Kings, deservingly made it to the final after a stupendous run in the league stages, then Kolkata Knight Riders, picking themselves off the floor in stunning fashion after a horrendous slump early on, have turned into this impressive force to vault into their second final.
On the face of it, it’s also a clash of Bollywood in its own way; Gautam Gambhir’s Knight Riders, the 2012 champions and owned by Shah Rukh Khan will be evenly matched by George Bailey’s Kings XI, co-owned by Preity Zinta; cricket and glamour couldn’t be more entwined than this.
KKR, who have had the luxury of a three-day break after storming past Kings XI in the first Qualifier, have over the last couple of weeks hit such a hot streak that it’s capable of sending shivers down their opponents’ spines. But Kings XI, whose resurgence in the seventh season after a dismal run in the previous six has been heartwarming and overwhelming even, have packed so much belief and consistency that it has seen them slay the best in the business.
At absolutely the business end of the tournament, the Knights, powered by the run-machine that Robin Uthappa has transformed himself into coupled with the mystery of Sunil Narine, the brute power of Pathan and the emergence of Shakib-al-Hasan do have the edge; they have tasted success in the past and are hungry for more glory.
Kings XI, motoring along in the initial stages on Maxwell’s muscle seem to have reignited the love of the game in Sehwag even. Once considered a demon with the bat, the now-bespectacled Sehwag did deliver the perfect riposte to his son’s friends who were critical of his batting but there is more to this happy team that is vibrant and versatile.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore may have done the vanishing act from their home ground but there is a swell of home support for the Knights in three local boys as they step out for the battle royale with the Kings XI.
