After 59 matches, It all comes down to the final; More specifically a final featuring MI and CSK.

This time, These two teams finished as first and second in the league table.

This is a rather repetitive element of the IPL as this has occurred 3 times in between the seasons of 2010-2015. Even when the two teams did not face each other in an IPL final, One of these teams have featured in the final (CSK faced KKR in 2012, MI faced RPSG in 2017, A team which featured Dhoni as a player ) then CSK faced SRH in 2018 final and made the victory their own statement of comeback .

CSK began with a win in terms of record in finals, To take their first title by defeating MI at Mumbai by 22 runs on April 25, 2010.

On 2013 May 26th and 2015 May 24th, MI successfully defended in the respective finals against CSK and registered comprehensive victories by margins of 23 and 46 runs 

When Dhoni faced MI in 2017 as a player for RPSG, That final saw the narrowest victory margin (1 run), While Pune failed to chase down 129 and fell short.

Having a well-built squad and having got through to the final after being the table toppers and by virtue of a victory in Qualifier 1, against CSK by 6 wickets, MI is in a strong mold with fine abilities being shown by almost the whole team ,With almost all key members featuring in the run-getter and wicket- taker lists .

CSK made a strong comeback at Vishakapatnam in Qualifier 2 after a forgettable and haunting defeat at home in the first qualifier.

The second qualifier saw the openers putting down their best effort with the highest stand for the first wicket (83) for CSK. Watson too striking big is a major advantage which would help Dhoni, Raina, and Faf, The top 3 run getters for CSK.

The spin trio of CSK has swallowed 55 wickets. in this season. Deepak Chahar's 19 wickets is a praiseworthy effort as most of his bowling duties get done in the powerplay. Bringing in Shardul Thakur didn't make any impact in the second qualifier. Murali Vijay could be recalled depending upon the nature of tomorrow's track.

CSK have lost comprehensively in all 3 matches against MI in this season including 2 matches at home.

Its a must for CSK to cross this hurdle and eventually become the first team to defend the IPL title twice.

With both the teams having 3 titles each, Its a matter of time before one team takes the lead in the rivalry and the other team bows down.

-Kumanan Kumanan

Images Courtesy: IPLT20 BCCI