IPL 2013 Finals: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians
The Sixth edition of the Indian Premier League(IPL) which has been marred by some off-field Controversies, is all set to draw to a close. The IPL 2013 finals has been scheduled to take place later today at the Eden Gardens, the home of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Amid controversies, The finals will take place as per the schedule. Cricmatez.com brings you the complete preview of the IPL 2013 Finals that takes place at the Eden Gardens.
Get Set Go!!!!! IPL 2013 Finals on the Way
The Indian Premier League 2013 began on April 3, 2013 with 9 teams fighting each other for the most coveted domestic T20 trophy around the world. After the completion of league Stages, 4 top teams qualified for the next stage. After the completion of the Qualifiers and the Eliminator, the top 2 teams are set to face-off against each other in the summit clash that starts in few hours time. The IPL 2013 Finals is a face-off between the usual suspects Chennai Super Kings and their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. Unlike the previous editions, the IPL 2013 Finals is overshadowed by controversies. There were talks that the IPL finals will be cancelled aftermath the arrest of Former CSK team Principal Gurunath Meiyappan.
CSK are playing their fifth finals in 6 years and MI play their second in 6 years. CSK have won the finals twice and MI are yet to win the coveted cup. The Million Dollar question ahead of the IPL 2013 finals is the availability of Champion Batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Pitch Report: The Pitch for the IPL 2013 Finals is likely to be Batsman Friendly. So a run feast is on the cards.
Weather Report: Today’s forecast for Kolkata is predominantly cloudy with chances showers. It is unlikely that the weather will force a washout. Even if there is a washout, there is a reserve day for the final on the following day.
Timing: 20:00 IST | 15:30 GMT
Road to IPL 2013 Finals
| Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians | |
|---|---|---|
| Mahendra Singh Dhoni | Captain | Rohit Sharma |
| 11 | No. of Wins | 11 |
| 5 | No. of loses | 5 |
| 1st with 22 Points | Total Points and Position | 2nd with 22 Points |
| Mike Hussey- 732 runs | Leading Run Scorer | Rohit Sharma- 536 runs |
| Dwayne Bravo- 28 Wickets | Leading Wicket Taker | Harbhajan Singh and Mitchell Johnson- 22 Wickets |
| 223-3 vs Sunrisers Hyd. | Highest Team total | 209-5 vs Delhi Daredevils |
| 79 vs Mumbai Indians | Lowest team total | 92 vs Rajasthan Royals |
| 78 | No. of sixes | 114 |
| MS Dhoni- 20 sixes | Batsman with Maximum Sixes | Rohit Sharma- 28 Sixes |
| WLWLW | Recent Form | WLLWW |
| 1 | Head to Head in IPL 2013 | 2 |
IPL 2013 Finals Preview- Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings, the most consistent team in the IPL History are all set to take the field in the finals for a record fifth time in six editions since the tournament started. This time around they didn’t leave it till the last game or dependent on other teams for a place in last four. They were at their destructive best since the tournament started. They made it to the finals by thrashing Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier.
Now given their team Principal Gurunath was arrested for betting, the Lions from Chennai will have a point to prove in the finals. There are no injury concerns in the team.The form of Murali Vijay is a big worry for the team management. But Vijay, a big match player has the knack of setting the stage on fire in big Finals. The 4 over spell from their new ball bowler Mohit Sharma and the performance of Mike Hussey with the Bat will be crucial for the Men in Yellow.
MS Dhoni didn’t take part in the Pre-Match Press Conference. Instead their coach Stephen Fleming took part. This is what he said to the media
“The players and support staff are distressed by the allegations and news reports considering the CSK franchise, the IPL and Indian cricket. The players and the support staff have no knowledge of either the betting or the separate spot-fixing allegations. As difficult as it is, all our focus is on appearing in the final tomorrow.”
Team Line-up:
M Vijay, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), S Badrinath, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, R Ashwin, Mohit Sharma.
IPL 2013 Finals Preview- Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have been on a roll since the start of IPL 2013. The finished the Group Stages only behind CSK. They made it to the Finals by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator after losing their qualifier to CSK. Rohit Sharma, who replaced Ricky Ponting as the skipper, has been doing a fine job as Captain. Mumbai Indians are the only team to beat CSK twice in the IPL 2013. Mumbai will hope for their destructive batsman Kieron Pollard to fire.
The 8 overs to be bowled by Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh will be crucial. Mumbai Indians are fighting the time to get Sachin Tendulkar fully fit. He is unlikely to play the IPL 2013 Finals and Aditya Tare will be opening the batting along with Dwayne Smith. Adding to their woes is the Shoulder injury to their Spinner Pragyan Ojha in the match against RR. The team management is yet to take a final call on his fitness. If Ojha misses out, Munaf Patel is likely to replace him which is bad sign for Mumbai Indians.
Like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma too skipped the Pre-Match Press Conference. Instead their coach John Wright took part. This is what he said to about the availability of Sachin
“At this stage Sachin is probably a doubt for tomorrow. We will take a call tomorrow. He is still a big part of our team whether he plays or not. Aditya has done a great job. Sachin is a big part of Mumbai Indians. We play for people like Sachin. We are a family. It’s probably unlikely. We will take a final call tomorrow.”
Team Line-up:
Aditya Tare/Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik(w.k), Rohit Sharma (capt), Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Rishi Dhawan, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha/Munaf Patel.
With the IPL 2013 Finals just Hours away, Can CSK make their fans happy after the disappointment made by the arrest of Gurunath? or can MI win their Maiden IPL title? This makes the IPL 2013 Finals more interesting.
