It’s all down to one last match, before the final decides who’ll walk away with the crown. Even as the Rain Gods tried their best to play party spoilers in the first qualifiers of this season, Kolkata Knight Riders outsmarted the otherwise aggressive Kings XI Punjab, to become the first team of this season to make it through to the finals. As a spirited Mumbai Indians took on Chennai Super Kings to take their first shot at becoming the finalists, Super Kings dismissed them out of their way to claim a second chance to get to the ultimate match of the season.
It all boils down to Friday’s encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab, to fill that final line up. In a neutral venue, the crowd support will be split and it will be interesting to see how this clash of the North and South pans out. This is the encounter that will determine who KKR fight against for the silverware.
Kings XI Punjab were the table toppers till the last stage. They won 11 of their 14 encounters and ensured that no team could match up to their level of aggressiveness. With the likes of Vohra, Maxwell and Miller going all guns blazing for them, they’ve kept their dimpled owner smile and smile broadly at that. It was only in the encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders that the Punjab team faltered, and the Kolkata team was looking for just that one opportunity. However, Chennai would understand that KXIP is no cakewalk to brush off, and with explosive batsmen in their side, they could well be the team that ends CSK’s run in IPL 7. Chasing has been an issue and that is what they need to sort.
However, Chennai Super Kings have always been known to turn things around in the last moment. They’ve taken last moment happy endings as a challenge and they are a team that goes all out to ensure that victory is theirs. Their openers are strong and they have both great batsmen and great bowlers in their side. Plus, having a sorted sipper like MS Dhoni has always worked in their favour. They didn’t fare too badly, winning 9 out their 14 matches. With an ego boosting win against Mumbai Indians, their morales would be on a high. Given their history in the IPL, they look like the stronger contenders in this challenge.
Overall, Friday’s clash looks promising. Cricket lovers would be all geared up for a finger-liking semi-final of sorts, eager to know which is the team that will triumph and give KKR a tough competition for the trophy.