When Chennai Super Kings takes on Mumbai Indians at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday, a large section of the crowd will still be a disappointed lot.
They would have expected their home team Royal Challengers Bangalore to play this match, but Deccan Chargers spoiled their party. Deccan ensured that they wouldn't finish last and in the process oust the Royal Challengers, who I believe should have won the game after restricting Deccan to 132.
The teams that are able to handle pressure better will thrive in this format. Unfortunately for Bangalore, it had a more cautious approach when it batted. The runner-up of the last edition of IPL and Champions League, had been over reliant on Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, and once they got out, Bangalore lost the plot.
Virat Kohli was batting well and his wicket was the turning point for Bangalore's fortunes.
Dale Steyn contributed to much of the Bangalore chaos. He is certainly one of the best fast bowlers in the world and he showed us this season that if you are a good bowler, you will perform irrespective of formats and conditions.
Lucky
Chennai Super Kings had three results to go in its favour in order to secure a berth in the play-offs and many would consider it extremely lucky to still have qualified.
Luck has often favoured the M.S. Dhoni-led franchise, but one must not forget that it has been the most successful IPL franchise.
It has made all the five play-offs, played three finals out of which it has won two, also to mention it has won the Champions League 2010 in South Africa. It has a team suited for this format for all the conditions.
The allrounders such as Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel and Ravindra Jadeja add depth to its batting and the arrival of the in-form Ben Hilfenhaus strengthens its pace attack.
Like I mentioned, this format is much about thriving against pressure and the Chennai team knows how to do that.
Saving its best
It has a knack of saving its best for the big games, and though it tottered its way to the play-offs, it is very much the favourite for the competition now!
Mumbai Indians had a convincing win over Rajasthan Royals. Its batsmen are in form and the bowling led by Lasith Malinga is doing the job for it. However, its skipper Harbhajan Singh's isn't in best of form whose effect may be seen in the way he leads.
Mumbai Indians has a balanced side but the order of the day will be cool heads to battle the pressure. The home team might not be playing in Bangalore, but the crowd will still have a spectacle in hands when two of India's biggest superstars Sachin Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni clash in a must-win tie.
