With spot-fixing and betting scandals getting murkier with back-to-back sensational developments occurring on Saturday, uncertainty loomed large over the IPL-VI title showdown between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai India, set to be played here at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Happenings such as court remanding CSK’s management official Gurunath Meiyappan in police custody till May 29 after his arrest Mumbai Police on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud and N Srinivasan, the father-in-law of Meiyappan, refusing to resign as the BCCI president, took centre stage, keeping everybody guessing about the chances of the IPL final taking place at all.
However, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla made it clear the finale would take place as per schedule and unless allegations are proved in the court of law no action would be taken to terminate the contract of Super Kings.
Though CSK registered a convincing victory over Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier at Delhi, it would be a herculean task for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team to stay focused on the game in the turbulent situation and repeat the victory in the final.
Being two-time champions and five-time finalists CSK would be favourites to add one more title to their cabinet. They have been the most consistent team so far, topping the group table with authoritative performance in all departments of the game.
Among the CSK batsmen, Micheal Hussey is now the owner of the orange cap as highest run accumulator. From 16 matches so far, he has garnered 732 runs at an average of 56.30 and strike-rate of 129.78.
He is followed by Suresh Raina who has 548 runs (average 45.66) including an unbeaten 100. Skipper Dhoni, all-rounders Dwayne and Ravindra Jadeja have won matches single-handedly on many occasions.
The CSK bowling unit, comprising pacers Albie Morkel, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Morris, Mohit Sharma and spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja has proved very much competent. Bravo was holder of the purple camp till Friday with 28 scalps before being replaced by Rajasthan Royals’ James Faulkner on the basis of better average and economy rate.
Mumbai Indians, who have not been affected by any kind of off-the-field controversy, are an equally formidable side with a galaxy of stars in their ranks.
The two-time finalists have the best chance this time to lift the elusive trophy. The experience of beating CSK earlier in both the league matches should stand them in good stead.
Among the Mumbai Indian stars, batsmen Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik, Kieron Pollard, Aditya Tare and Ambatti Rayudu are in good form.
Though skipper Rohit Sharma is struggling with the bat after good showing in the initial stages, he is expected to compensate the loss of form with a big knock in the final.
Pace duo of Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga and spin of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha make their bowling department a formidable one even though they are still lacking a competent fifth bowler.
The only worrying factor the Mumbai Indians is that they have a tendency to choke under pressure. On many occasions, they have snatched defeat from the jaw of victory.