Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings Reuters

Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The match is at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the home of the IPL 2012 champions Kolkata Knight Riders; the hosts were eliminated in the group stages.

Chennai have won two IPL titles and are making a fifth appearance in the final. Mumbai have never won this trophy and are making a second appearance in the final.

Where to Watch Live

Play starts at 3.30pm BST. Live coverage is on ITV 4 and ITV 4 HD. Follow the match live, via text updates, on ESPN Cricinfo.

Overview

Chennai may have a mental edge over Mumbai. The two met in Qualifier 1 earlier this week and MS Dhoni's men strolled to a 48-run win and direct access to this final. Mumbai, meanwhile, were forced to play-off against 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals (who they did eventually beat) for a spot in Sunday's match.

However, the Super Kings have mental baggage of their own coming into this fixture. The franchise from the southern Indian city of Chennai faces an investigation into allegations of match fixing; Gurunath Meiyappan, the man the authorities claim is the owner, has been arrested. The franchise, however, maintains he is an honourary member and has no legal association with the team.

On the pitch, Chennai have been in superb form. They topped the group stage, picking up 22 points from 16 games. In the process the side also recorded a seven-game winning streak (joint-best in IPL history) that effectively sealed qualification to the knock-out stages. Incidentally, the streak was snapped by Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium in Maharashtra.

The midweek game between these two was built around a sensational batting performance from Chennai's Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina. The pair came together after a comfortable 52-run opening stand between Hussey and Murali Vijay. Raina's knock of 82 off 42 balls was particularly brutal, with five sixes. Hussey also managed 82 but his was a relatively slower 58-ball innings.

Chennai posted a mammoth 192/1 in 20 overs.

Mumbai's chase never recovered after Ravindra Jadeja had West Indian Dwayne Smith caught for a hurricane-like 28-ball 68. Tight bowling from Jadeja (3/31) and Dwayne Bravo (3/9) set up an easy win.

Mumbai then faced Rajasthan in a knock-out tie on Friday. The Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in an earlier knock-out game. Mumbai's bowling was once again a little suspect, with the Royals' captain, Rahul Dravid scoring 43 off 37 balls to set the platform for a big score.

Dinesh Yagnik's unbeaten 17-ball 31 and capable contributions from Stuart Binny, Ajinkya Rahane and Brad Hodge boosted Rajasthan to 165/6. Harbhajan Singh and Kieron Pollard picked up a combined 5/29 from five overs.

With the bat, Mumbai were better this time around. Smith was his customary big-hitting self, smashing 62 off 44 balls. But a strong innings from fellow opener Aditya Tare and a good 55-run second wicket partnership with Dinesh Karthik were both crucial in setting up the win.

Mumbai will need all three to fire again in the final, particularly if Hussey, Raina, Dhoni and Bravo fire again.

Ambati Raydu's 17 from 13 balls at the end was the turning the turning point in the game, which saw Harbhajan Singh finish the game in style with a four in the penultimate delivery of the game.

Team Form

Chennai Super Kings

  • Last Five (most recent first): W L W L W
  • Last Match: Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians by 48 runs

Mumbai Indians

  • Last Five (most recent first): W L L W W
  • Last Match: Mumbai Indian beat Rajasthan Royals by four wickets