The IPL final takes place in Kolkata on Sunday, but all the news
surrounding the tournament is about events off the field. As Indian
cricket and its fans grapple with the dismaying allegations of the past
week, the old Apartheid-era slogan - No normal sport in an abnormal
society - comes to mind. However, despite the formal charges of
corruption against top Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan, the 2013
season will reach its scheduled end, when Chennai Super Kings play
their fifth IPL final in six seasons, against Mumbai Indians at Eden
Gardens. An assertion of the game being bigger than the individuals that
comprise it, no matter how abnormal the environs.
Super Kings have had an outstanding season, finishing top of the league
with 11 wins out of 16 games, and blazed through the first qualifier to
seal their finals berth. They are the only team to have won more games
than they lost away from home this season; they have the tournament's
highest run-scorer and joint top wicket-taker. Their fielders have set
standards not matched by most competitors. They have been the IPL's most
formidable franchise since its inception, and have the opportunity to
enhance that reputation by winning a third title. To do that, however,
not only do MS Dhoni's men have to deal with, and overcome the turmoil
caused by Meiyappan's arrest, but they also have to deal with a tough
opponent.
Mumbai Indians. Their habit of buying the flavours of the season, and of
tinkering constantly with their line-up, produced largely disappointing
results in IPLs past. This season began the same way, but they took
tough decisions - dropping Ricky Ponting and appointing Rohit Sharma as
captain - and hit upon a balanced and successful combination earlier
than usual. They delighted their home crowds by winning all eight
matches at the Wankhede Stadium, but the final is at a neutral venue,
and they lost five league games away from home. They are the best
franchise to never win the IPL, but that accolade is a slight to the
millions that have gone into making the team.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)Chennai Super Kings WLWLW
Mumbai Indians WLLWW
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