Kolkata: It will be a battle of two former champions when Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, who are making their sixth Indian Premier League final, will battle it out at the Eden Gardens, here on Sunday as they lock horns against a confident Mumbai Indians side.
CSK have been the much more consistent side between the two, but given MI’s great run, a thrilling contest is imperative. Both sides have players peaking at the right time. If Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga has found form off late for MI, then Mike Hussey, who played a prominent role for CSK in Ranchi against Royal Challengers Bangalore has also found himself amongst the run-getters for the team.
There are others who can also be certain game changers at the final of the 47-day extravaganza. Let’s have a look.
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma
Leading his team from the front, skipper Rohit Sharma has not been in his best form off late with scores of 19, 7* and 30 in his last three matches. Reportedly, Rohit said that MI need to make one last effort and leading again with fierce shots should do his side a whole lot of good to put the opposition early on the backfoot.
Harbhajan Singh
The Eden Gardens pitch is potentially a slow one making it a heaven for spinners such as Harbhajan Singh, who has nothing short of impressive this season. ‘The Turbanator’ player a crucial role in MI’s win over CSK in Qualifier 1 as he sent both Suresh Rain and skipper Dhoni back to the pavilion in successive deliveries. Bhaji will look to exploit the conditions to the maximum and make his contribution a match winning one.
Kieron Pollard
Big West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard has played one of the main roles in MI’s road to the final both with the bat and ball. Unleashing lethal strokes in the death overs, sending the white ball airborne to the stands, Pollard has come across a huge asset for the Ricky Ponting coached side. Reprtedly, he earlier said that ‘he gets motivated when people criticise him’ and MI can surely expose him to some of his critics.
Chennai Super Kings
Suresh Raina
His match-winning performances during the earlier seasons of the IPL has pitted him in such a way that a big score beckons for high flying all-rounder Suresh Raina. Consistency has been lacking from Raina, who played a reckless shot going for a two-ball duck in his previous game against RCB much to the disappointment of skipper Dhoni. When on a roll, India’s shinning star can be a handful and dangerous to the opposition bowlers and CSK will hop Raina brings out his A game on Sunday.
Mike Hussey
He didn’t click in his first match coming in as a replacement for powerful Kiwi star Brendon McCullum, who took off for national duty but after playing a vital knock (56), Mike Hussey goes into the final with a big score to backing him. Mr Cricket’s contribution at the start will have to be a good one in case the Men in Yellow want to emerge victorious.
Dwayne Bravo
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s slower deliveries have proven to be game changers for CSK. Current holder of the Purple Cap, Bravo has been a revelation this season for the Stephen Fleming coached side. His contribution in all the three departments will prove vital for CSK.
