Knights eye Kings checkmate

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Two finely balanced sides that have peaked right will fight for the top prize at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday.

Good fortune had a lot to do with Chennai Super Kings qualifying for the play-offs but none can dispute the fact that they have decimated two strong teams with clinical efforts to earn their spot in the final. Kolkata Knight Riders on the other hand have been the most balanced side and in spite of Chennai’s roaring form will be starting slight favourites.

Kolkata have been led by example by Gautam Gambhir. The left-hander did his side a huge favour by returning to the openers slot. He has controlled proceedings with the right mix of caution and aggression. He provides the required impetus at the start from where the top-order builds on. At the same time, there have been instances where the team has struggled when he has failed and it is time for other senior to make a telling contribution as well.

Chennai has always been an extremely difficult team to beat at home. Kolkata will have to get many pieces of the juggernaut in place to take their maiden IPL crown. Chennai are also used to the big stage on a far more regular basis than the visitors. And given their entry to the last four, Chennai can afford to shoot from the hip.

The defending champions are more dangerous when they take the fear of failure out of their psyche, one that Mumbai and Delhi will vouch for.

Mystery of Narine

Chennai look to have most bases covered. Their batting line up also possess the flexibility to counter the fall of early wickets but the strategy they adapt against the quality spin of Narine will have a huge bearing on the outcome. With L. Balaji’s participation not confirmed, Narine will have a bigger task at hand.

The last three IPL finals have been won by the team batting first. The pressure involved in chasing a big target is always there and once the asking rate goes beyond eight plus then the risks involved grows manifold. Both captains will look to bat first and hope for mistakes from the opponents.

Hat-trick beckons
MS Dhoni has enough ammunition in the form of Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, M. Vijay and R. Ashwin to get the job done.

The transformation in the last two games has been nothing short of phenomenal and the hosts would be looking at one more day of playing to potential.

IF there is one small weakness in the line-up it is the lack of a genuine speedster but on a track where air speed could get negated off the wicket, there is no real reason for Chennai to worry.

kEY PLAYER: Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)
He has confused and corrupted batsmen through the tournament and it remains to be seen whether he will have one more big day at the office.

The Chennai top-order is blessed with good players of spin but to master Narine will not be an easy job. The maverick will hold the key on Sunday. If Chennai get through his quota without losing a wicket it could well add to the pressure on the other bowlers.

kEY PLAYER: Dwayne Bravo (Chennai Super Kings)
The all rounder has fired on all cylinders in the last two games. Bravo has provided the perfect finish to the innings and also bowled his seamers craftily to provide the much required balance to the defending champions.

Add his athletic fielding and Bravo is the complete T20 package. Dhoni will be looking up to another inspired show from the Trinidadian who is also an absolute hit with the Chennai crowd.