MI Are New IPL Champs - Decimate CSK To Lift The Cup

#CSK vs #MI
#IPLFinal
#EdenGardens #Kolkata
24th May 2015

In an amazing display of determination and courage throughout the season, #MI completed a fairytale ending to this year's IPL season defeating a lacklustre #CSK by 41 runs to lift the cup for a second time.

Asked to bat first (first of the multiple blunders committed by CSK), they put on a strong 202 for 5 in 20 overs thanks to a stunning blitzkrieg by Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma. Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu played the end game to perfection to smash the hapless and hopeless CSK bowling all over the park. At one stage they even looked to get 220-230 but were pulled back a bit.

Chasing this massive score, the one team that had potential to do it was CSK with their batting lineup. But, it looked as if they had surrendered already and their batsman crawled in the initial overs. That was remarkable batting to play steadily when chasing that big a target. No one stood counted and they capitulated to 161 for 8 in 20 overs.

Big celebrations for Mumbai and they will come next year to defend their crown.
For CSK, this was their 6th final. They have won it twice as well but this was abject surrender to some really disciplined and determined Mumbai heroes.

#LIVE #SCORE
MI - 202 for 5
CSK - 161 for 8

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CSK vs MI - Who Will Win IPL Final

#CSK vs #MI
#IPLFinal
#EdenGardens #Kolkata
24th May 2015

After 6 weeks of absolute "dhamaal (fun)" on the field and some scorching cricketing action, its all come down to this day! The day of the #IPL Final...

Two teams, certainly not at their best, have made it there (owing to some poor performances from other teams) and will vie for the coveted trophy at the #Eden #Gardens in #Kolkata tonight.

On the one hand, "Team Consistent" #CSK will be gunning for a hat trick of trophies (they won in 2010, 2011 and finished runner-up in 3 other finals) while on the other #MI will be looking to emulate their 2013 success (they had won defeating CSK)

On a head to head comparison, there is pretty much nothing to choose.
Games played between the two teams: 21
MI Wins - 11, CSK Wins - 10
Its that close...

And while MI have been at best mercurial and topsy-turvy in this tournament, they have gained momentum at the perfect moment to go all the way. What also goes in their favour is they are the only side to trouble and lead CSK on head-to-head contest wins. Something brings out the best in them against the most balanced and consistent team of IPL over 8 seasons!

Having said that, do not discount #WhistlePodu boys. They have been there, done that on many occasions and can change gear very quickly. Skipper #Dhoni has had a silent IPL and these moments brings out the best in him. If that happens, he can turn games around from any situation and inspire his boys to do the same. Such is his aura and capability.

Man to Man comparison is a very interesting read as well

1. Lendl Simmons/Parthiv Patel  vs Mike Hussey/Dwayne Smith
MI hold the edge here. Their opening pair has been instrumental in getting MI to the finals with some amazing consistent performances off-late. Steady starts to lay foundation for the big boys down the order has been MI's recipe for success. Don't discount Hussey and Smith though. Hussey's super innings against RCB in Qualifier2 was a lesson for youngsters. In McCullum's big absence, Smith can "tee-off" from ball 1 as well.

2. Rohit Sharma vs Faf Du Plessis
Evenly matched on form. Rohit more classical but Faf more all round with his fielding abilities.

3. Kieron Pollard vs Suresh Raina
Again, MI hold the edge here on form and all round ability. Raina hasn't played a blinder of a knock this season .. just yet. Could it be his day. If it is, MI will suffer badly.

4. Ambati Rayudu vs MS Dhoni
Surprise, surprise ... MI slightly ahead here too. Rayudu has finished games, MS hasn't but we all know what he can do? and this is his business end. He gets dangerously professional here.

5. Hardik Pandya vs Pavan Negi
Two terrific youngsters vying for the best new comer award, looking to outdo the other. Both have played match winning knocks. Can they withstand pressure of a #IPL Final?

6. Jagdeesh Suchith vs Dwayne Bravo
The calyso guru is at the height of his game. Bravo edges out the youngster by some distance.

7. Vinay Kumar vs Mohit Sharma
Both have struggled really and need to pull up a gear

8. Harbhajan Singh vs Ravi Ashwin
This is going one heck of a contest! Both are in sublime form. Bhajji is the eternal effervescent himself and Ashwin the disciplined tactician. Wow.. this is definitely a contest within a contest

9. Mitch McClaneghan/ Lasith Malinga vs Ashish Nehra/Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja is the odd one out in this comparison but he seems to be the "odd" one out in the CSK outfit too. Woefully out of form, he has been a liability for that team. The other three have been in super form off late. Malinga has caught up well after a poor start but Nehra and McClenaghan (since he was brought in half way through the tournament) have been good right through.  

Its that close with MI holding slight edge on form and momentum.
Its all to play for today. May the best team win. All the best

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Did Dhoni Cross The Line With Horrible Decision Comment?

"Smith got a horrible decision really...." spoke #MSDhoni (Mr. Cool himself) in the post-match interview after losing to #MI comfortably in #Qualifier1.

The media went berserk ... The public was stunned ... and everyone was talking about the #horrible #decision comment over the last few days. It culminated in a penalty for King Cool by the #ICC.

Will the ‪#‎horrible‬ ‪#‎decision‬ comment by MS Dhoni take away the sheen from Chennai Super Kings' ‪#‎fair‬ ‪#‎play‬ award? ‪#‎CSK‬ have always been the best behaved team in all seasons till date and ‪#‎MSD‬ has been instrumental in keeping that team behavior in check and taken it to a new level.

But, that "comment" in an interview after ‪#‎Qualifier1‬ game againstMumbai Indians (CSK lost that game) about a decision to give Dwayne Smith out lbw by umpire Richard Illingworth has everyone raising eyebrows on his surprising aggressive remark. This led to wild spread speculations about Mr. Cool and his composure to lead CSK to the title again.

For a captain of his stature, the comment did look rough (as was the lbw decision to begin with). I think the media took it too seriously and the #horrible #decision comment spread like widlfire. 

Just looked like it was not his day on that fateful night against MI.

1. He was first seen arguing with umpire Dharmasena over a couple of iffy wide ball decisions when MI was batting. Those two extra deliveries cost Chennai 10 extra runs which seemed to have peeved MS.

2. When he came out to bat, match was in the balance and his innings was going to be decisive. What happened? He moved across his crease to sweep Harbhajan and was trapped plumb leg-before. Golden duck! Dear O Dear!!!   

3. Then the #horrible #decision comment made it worse for him.

Am sure #MSD will take note and make amends as CSK prepare for the mega #IPLFinal on Sunday vs?? you guessed it right ... its MI again!!!

By the way, CSK have won the #Fair #Play award at this years IPL season by a long distance from the other teams. Just goes to show you can behave well and win all at the same time!!

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Harbhajan Double Strike Puts Mumbai Firmly Ahead

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

#MI slightly ahead of the game after the first strategic timeout in CSK innings.

A horror lbw decision against #DwayneSmith by umpire Illingworth in the first over, set them on the backfoot rightaway. The aging #MikeHussey was unable to push things through really fast and eventually was caught behind off #VinayKumar. 

#FafduPlessis and #SureshRainia have stepped up the gas, especially Plessis to infuse life in this CSK innings. 

But, Harbhajan's 11th over of the innings turned things on its head.
He had #SureshRaina caught and bowled off the second ball. Big wicket.
The bigger wicket awaited next delivery when he trapped #MSDhoni plumb in front. The celebrations from the MI team and crowd were amazing.

He almost had DwayneBravo on the last ball of the same over but he missed a simple caught and bowled chance. However, this over has put MI firmly ahead in this game and the IPL final beckons!

#LIVE #SCORE
MI - 187
CSK - 95 for 4 in 12 overs

Game ON>>>

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Pollard Cameo Helps MI Set 189 Target For CSK

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

A stunning 17 ball 41 by #KieronPollard has helped #MI set a formidable target of 188 against #CSK. After 17 overs, CSK had pulled back the MI innings wonderfully through #Bravo and #Nehra.

But the last three overs belonged to Pollard.
He ripped into the CSK seamers - Bravo and Mohit to leapfrog their total to 188.
46 runs came off the last 3 overs.

Over 18 - 15 runs
Over 19 - 15 runs
Over 20 - 16 runs.

Massive damage done.
A couple of iffy decisions on wides cost CSK a bit, though.
MS Dhoni seemed disappointed and talked to umpire Dharmasena about it.

So, how does this pan out now?
188 in 20 overs. Can CSK pull this off? or will MI restrict them?
Game on... 

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CSK Claw Back Through Bravo and Nehra

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

Looking straight down the barrel (staring at chasing 200), #CSK have clawed back brilliantly through #Bravo and #Nehra.

Overs 16 and 17 have been game changers for CSK.
Just 8 runs came off these two overs and two key wickets lost.
#RohitSharma and Hardik Pandya both fell trying to hit long shots, pegging MI back.

MI's hopes to reach 200 now rest on #Pollard and #Rayudu.
3 overs to go. Game on...

#LIVE #SCORE
MI - 156 for 4, 18 overs 

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First TimeOut - MI 48 For No Loss In 6 Overs

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

First #Strategic #Timeout of the game.
#MI started cautiously in the first 4 overs.
#Nehra and #Ashwin troubled them with swing and spin.
But, they've covered up brilliantly in the next 2 overs
#Simmons and #Parthiv have opened up and smashed Ashwin and Nehra for 14 runs each to even things out.

The battle looking exciting already.

Dhoni has utilized 3 overs each from his top 2 bowlers.
So, its going to be interesting how he's going to go from here?

For MI, they need to carry on the momentum..

#LIVE #SCORE
MI - 48 for 0 in 6 overs

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Toss Time - MI Win Toss, Elect To Bat

#CSK vs #MI
#Qualifier 1 
#Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
19th May 2015

We're close to start of Qualifier 1.
Its toss time.
#MSDhoni and #RohitSharma in the centre.
Coin tossed ... and it comes a tail, correctly called by Rohit.

MI have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Massive game this and batting first would be a huge advantage with pressure all around.

Is it going to be the first opportunity or a last min dash performance that would decide the fate of this game? Amazing crowd, great atmosphere and big clash. What else can you ask for.

Let the battle explode.
The big #IPL final is calling....

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Clinical CSK Vs Mercurial MI - Qualifier 1 - Stakes Are High

This is it .. after grueling six weeks of non stop action, drama and amazing performance .. it has come down to the top 4 teams making the playoffs at #IPL - Indian Premier League​. Cant get better and bigger than this!

Qualifier 1 - #MSDhoni​ led table-toppers Chennai Super Kings​, the indomitable force in all seasons of the IPL will take on the mercurial and in-form Mumbai Indians​ led by #RohitSharma​ at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today. Promises to be a cracker of a game. Remember, winner goes straight to the #IPL final - a massive incentive to win. The loser gets another crack by playing qualifier 2. That's a bonus too!

Team #MI - will be selected from below
Rohit Sharma
Corey Anderson
AC Blizzard
Jaspreet Bumrah, 
Unmukt Chand, 
M de Lange, 
S Gopal, 
Alex Hales, 
Harbhajan Singh, 
Ben Hilfenhaus, 
SD Lad, 
Mitchell McClenaghan, 
Lasith Malinga, 
Abhimanyu Mithun, 
C Munro, 
Pragyan Ojha, 
Harsh Pandya, 
Parthiv Patel, 
Kieron Pollard, 
Navin Rana, 
Ambati Rayudu
Lendl Simmons, 
J Suchith, 
P Suyal, 
Aditya Tare, 
Vinay Kumar, 
AA Wakhare

Team #CSK  - will be selected from below
MS Dhoni,
Kyle Abbott,
Baba Aparajith,
Ravichandran Ashwin, 
Shrinivas Badree, 
AK Bains, 
Dwayne Bravo, 
Faf du Plessis, 
ER Dwivedi, 
Mike Henry, 
Mike Hussey, 
Ravindra Jadeja, 
Brendon McCullum, 
Mithun Manhas, 
RG More, 
Pawan Negi, 
Ashish Nehra, 
Ishwar Pandey, 
Irfan Pathan, 
Pratyush Singh, 
Suresh Raina, 
Mohit Sharma, 
R Sharma, 
Dwayne Smith, 
AJ Tye

Both teams look solid both with the bat and ball.
CSK looks stronger with the bat slightly whereas Mumbai look a shade better on the bowling front.

MS' boys can turn around games on their sheer relentlessness while Rohit can inspire his MI team to produce an incredible batting or bowling innings. Thats how it is pioised? 

So, who will win? who will prevail? who can handle pressure better?
The clinical #CSK or the red-hot #MI? Time will tell.
May the best team win!

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