IPL 2019, Final: MI vs CSK – Ultimate glory in sight for the two giants
The big day is here upon us. After almost two months of exhilarating and thrilling action, the IPL 2019 final is here. Two of the biggest and most successful franchises in the tournament – Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will battle it out to become the first 4-time champion in the history of the tournament.
The two sides have been the most consistent units in the tournament this season, having finished in the top two spots at the end of the group stages. There is a vast amount of experience in both the teams, with plenty of match-winners who could single-handedly take the game away from the opposition.
Overall, MI hold the advantage when it comes to the head-to-head record. The two teams have faced 27 times in the tournament, with MI winning 16 and CSK winning 11. This season as well, Mumbai have proven to be the superior side, winning all the three matches against their rivals.
When it comes to the big matches though, there is nothing to split between the two sides. They have faced off against each other 8 times in qualifiers, eliminators and finals, with both the teams winning 4 matches each.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad has been a high-scoring venue this season, with an average first innings score of 175. With the conditions good for batting with a bit of assistance for the bowlers, the scene is now perfectly set for this blockbuster encounter.
Here we take a look at three key factors which will play a big role in the final:
Will the CSK spinners fire again?
CSK’s key to success this season has undoubtedly been the form of their spinners. They have relied heavily upon their tweakers with Imran Tahir, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja bowling the majority of the overs. The trio have picked up 55 wickets between them, with the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai being perfect for their skillset. However, the surface in Hyderabad won’t be so conducive for the spinners and it will be interesting to see how the three adjust to it. The pacers will get assistance at Uppal and CSK will hope that the likes of Deepak Chahar and Dwayne Bravo have more of a say in the contest.
Onus on MI’s top three
Mumbai Indians have quality in abundance at the top of the order. Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock are two of the best openers in international cricket. They have been ably backed up Suryakumar Yadav, who has batted extremely well in the No.3 spot. When the two teams last faced off in Qualifier 1, it was Yadav who played a brilliant knock of 71 and guided MI to a victory. It has been a good tournament for him, scoring 409 runs so far. Quinton de Kock has been MI’s top scorer this season with 500 runs. Coming to Rohit Sharma, the captain has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but is yet to play a memorable knock which is generally associated with him. What better time to fire on all cylinders than the final, where the lights will shine the brightest?
Flourish at the death
Finishing the innings well will play a big role in the match. Both the units have a genuine world-class ability, both in the batting and the bowling departments. When it comes to batting, MI have power-hitters like Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard at the end. CSK on the other hand, have the experience and canny ability of MS Dhoni, who is one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game. He will be supported by the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo. Bravo will also have a big role to play with the ball, being CSK’s specialist at the death in the bowling department. When it comes to MI, they have two of the best in business in Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga to bowl at the end. The team which aces the final overs better will undoubtedly have an edge in the final.
