Final berth beckons CSK, MI

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, the two heavyweights of the Indian Premier League, will resume their intense rivalry in a mouth-watering Qualifier 1 clash here at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

Having shared the spoils with 10 wins each in the 20 times they’ve met each other since the start of the IPL in 2008, both will be well aware of what awaits them when they square-off for a direct ticket to Sunday’s final at the Eden Gardens in  Kolkata.

Although punches have been traded in equal measure, it is however the Super Kings who have managed to deliver the telling blows, defeating the Mumbai Indians on four out of the five occasions they’ve battled each other in the knock-outs, showing their big-stage pedigree.

Mumbai, who only managed to secure their position in the play-offs from the very last match of the league phase where they pummeled Sunrisers Hyderabad, can however look forward to the CSK clash with plenty of hope. Playing at the Wankhede, which most definitely will be bathed in blue, they’ve proved a tough customer for the Super Kings, winning four out of the six matches.

In a thrilling season where at least six teams were involved in a mad race for the four play-off spots, CSK, perhaps, have stood out for their consistency although their 18 points (nine wins and five defeats) is the least accrued by a table-topper since the start of IPL.

One of the most well-rounded units with heroes in every department, CSK are the only team to have made the cut for the knock-outs in every edition and they look very hungry to reclaim their crown that was snatched away by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012.

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith have been in great form at the top of the order while Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have delivered the goods more often than not in the middle-order. Dhoni, however, will miss the services of McCullum who has joined his New Zealand team in England.

The bowling too has been brilliant with West Indian Dwayne Bravo currently wearing the Purple Cap with 20 wickets. The 31-year-old’s impact goes beyond just bowling, the sprightly all-rounder not only getting the crucial scalps with the ball but effecting turnarounds with some sensational fielding and catching.

The biggest boost for Dhoni has been the re-emergence of old warhorse Ashish Nehra. The 36-year-old appears in a zone of his own, blending years of experience and cunningness perfectly to outfox the batsmen repeatedly this edition. Add in-form Mohit Sharma, R Ashwin and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, the Super Kings turn into a potent side that can battle it out against team in any condition.

Mumbai, for the second straight year, have overturned a pathetic start to keep themselves in the hunt. Having lost five of their opening six games, it seemed the writing was on the wall for the Rohit Sharma-led side but they have turned around their fortunes by winning seven of their last eight games to stage a remarkable resurrection. With a think-tank comprising legends Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, it took the 2013 champions surprisingly long to settle down but once they found their bearing, they’ve been almost unstoppable now.

Opener Lendl Simmons and skipper Rohit have been consistent with the bat, raking in more than 400 runs each, while Keiron Pollard has been destructive lower down the order. The bowling, which appeared weak at the start, is gaining potency. Yorker machine Lasith Malinga has found his groove while left-arm pacer Mitchell McCleneghan has been hitting the right areas. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been impressive too and youngster Hardik Pandya is slowly living up to his potential.

On paper, CSK appear relatively stronger, but MI, with form and Wankhede crowd behind them, have the ability to get the job done.