Will Chennai take its revenge in tonight’s all-important final?

After much anticipation, Chennai is once again part of the IPL finals for a staggering 8th time in the 10 years that they have competed. As they lock horns with arch-rivals Mumbai, one of the strongest teams in IPL history, it’s definitely going to be a battle of equals — both having won the title three times in the last 12 editions of the cricket extravaganza.So, who’s going to make it 4-3 in terms of the number of titles — Chennai or Mumbai? Here, a few experts and fans, share their thoughts...
We have a better chance if we chase
Both are equally good teams. Maybe on paper, Mumbai looks a better side. Also, they’ve got that momentum of winning two league matches and Qualifier 1 against Chennai. But if Watson and Dhoni click, there are no opponents who can stop the team. And we also have good spinners. Also, Chennai has good experience playing big matches. The final is just one game, and it can swing in favour of any team. It’s going to be 50-50 chance for both the teams. But if Chennai gets to chase, another 10 per cent chance for the team to win as we have the best finisher, Dhoni, with us.
— Vikranth, actor and cricketer
We won’t give it away easily
Both the teams have won three finals each. Whoever wins today will be adjudged the most consistent team of the IPL. But the thing is that CSK has already won it last year and they will retain it for sure. They won the Cup back to back in 2010 and 2011. We’ll again see that happen today. Once the Cup is with Chennai, they won’t give it away easily.
— Saravanan, Chennai fan
Battle of two captains
We have got two teams who have won the title three times; they are two of the most successful teams in IPL. They are two sides that don’t fold under pressure. We saw recently the occasion got to Delhi, but these two teams love the big occasion, that’s what makes this rivalry special. It is the battle of two best captains. If you look at the way these two teams have shaped up, they are the ones who’ve made the least number of changes to their playing XI. That tells you about the solidarity of these teams. It would have been lovely to see Delhi come through since they are a young team, but at the end of the day when you have Dhoni, Rohit and Chennai and Mumbai up against each other, it’s dream a finale for everyone. I hope the match justifiably lives up to the expectation. Hyderabad is going to be a pitch that’s going to give us a good contest.
— Suhail Chandhok, sports presenter who hosts IPL
We have a good bowling unit
Chasing suits Chennai the best. I hope we win the toss. If we can steady the middle order, our finishers will be able to take care of the rest. We are a strong bowling unit with the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir. We’ve already lost three times to Mumbai; this is a huge opportunity for us to give them back. Also, we have a few senior players who might not be a part of the next season. So, it would be a fitting tribute to them if we win it today.
— M Savithru, Chennai fan
The numbers say Chennai, but Mumbai has the edge!
The match being played is under the vibrations of Jupiter, Sun and Moon, so the Numbers 3, 2 and 1 become important. Interestingly, Mumbai's team name adds to 38 = 11 and the date 12.5.2019 when added gives 2036 which adds to 11 = 2. At the moment, the horoscope of MS Dhoni, who is a Leo Moon sign, is much better than that of Rohit Sharma, who is a Taurus Moon and under astham Shani-Ketu, but placement of Mars is strong in Dhoni’s chart. Also, the match is being played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, which also adds to 97 = 16 = 7, which is Dhoni’s date number 7. And Hyderabad, too, adds to 7, which vibrates to 7. As the vowels of his name with Hyderabad add to 14, and with Shane Watson, Ambati Rayadu, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh expected to play well, I would be surprised if Chennai loses. For Mumbai, Rohit Sharma, Lasith Maliga, Krunal Pandya and Jayant Yadav would play important roles. Numbers do show that Chennai may make serious mistakes, and would have themselves to blame if they throw away a match which they should have easily won. Rohit Sharma’s fate number, 3, too, matches with match date of 12.5.2019, so I think Mumbai has the edge despite the numbers being on the side of Chennai.
— Anupam Kapil, astro-numerologist
Chennai’s captain is its strength
On paper, Mumbai definitely looks a lot stronger than Chennai. They have three important players who will play in the World Cup for India — Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, but Chennai has a wonderful captain who knows the limitations of the team and plays according to their strengths. Many of them would have written off Chennai from entering finals, but they are here again, it’s because Chennai performs extraordinarily well as a unit under MS Dhoni’s leadership.
— RJ Balaji, actor and commentator
Hoping for a tight game; it doesn’t matter who wins it
The match is going to be exciting and the pitch in Hyderabad is really good. It’s going to be a 170-180 runs game. But Mumbai has a slight edge as they have good all-round bowling unit. Also, Mumbai players are well rested. Chennai just had only one day’s rest before today’s finals. But you can’t count out the experience of Chennai players. I am hoping a tight game and it doesn’t really matter who wins it. One team has to win and the other team has to lose. But I’ll be very happy if Chennai wins. Even otherwise, it’s fine. They’ve been a very good team — making it to the eighth finals. That shows their consistency. Also, some of the senior players in the team like Watson might not figure in the next edition. So, it’ll be good for them to finish it with a victory.
— L Sivaramakrishnan, former Indian cricketer