 After seven weeks of action and over six dozen matches played, the fifth season
of Indian Premier League has finally arrived at its final moment when Chennai
Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders battle it out for the piece of glory
on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders are in the IPL finals for the first time, their entry
coming through the simpler route of a victory in the first qualifier against
Delhi Daredevils. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings had a stroke
of luck coupled with perseverance that saw them overcome Mumbai Indians and
Delhi Daredevils in do-or-die matches to reach their third consecutive final.
Click for Live Score Card of Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Chennai Super Kings
Chennai are eyeing their third title in a row as well and history as well as recent
form makes them a phenomenal opposition.
Strong batting performances in the eliminator as well as the qualifier propelled
them to tall totals that eventually proved too much for the other side to chase.
MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo have been in sublime form providing the aggression
at the end of the innings while Murali Vijay's century also announced his dangerous
intentions as he plundered 113 off just 58 balls. The bowling will depend on
Ravi Ashwin and Bravo's control in the death overs.
For Kolkata Knight Riders, their season says a different story than some of
the earlier seasons. A team struggling to find the right combination has just
done enough to win the critical moments. More importantly, their key man Yusuf Pathan, under fire through most of the tournament, smashed 40 off just 21
in the last match and will be under the limelight.
Yet all the attention will be surrounding Sunil Narine who has rocketed
to fame from nowhere in just a couple of months. Captain Gautam Gambhir
expressed confidence in his team's ability to do well in the crunch match.
The match will be played in Chennai which will be an added advantage for the team
in yellow but Kolkata Knight Riders have overcome plenty such pressures earlier
in the tournament.
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