The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) looks under serious and thick clouds that do not seem to be fading anytime soon. Owing to the outbreak of the Pandemic Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), it is yet to see any confirmation from the BCCI.
The IPL 2020 was to start in Mumbai with a match between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 29 2020. The lucrative Tournament was postponed to April 15 2020.
Going by the havoc that the Novel Coronavirus is wreaking in India, it is highly unlikely that the Tournament will see the light of the day anytime soon. It has also dampened the hopes of many virtual Cricket players indulging in the dream11 prediction today for matches and walking all the way to banks.
Some players in IPL have advised that the Tournament be cancelled, while some have advocated it to be played in closed stadiums. With the 21 days lockdown set to be extended for another fortnight, BCCI would be taking a decision on it finally. On this note, why not take a look at some summit IPL Final clashes so far in the IPL history. Read on!
1. IPL Final 2008 – Rajasthan Royals (164/7) defeat Chennai Super Kings (163/5) by 3 wickets
The inaugural IPL Final in 2008 was a cliffhanger as it was decided on the last ball at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. CSK, while batting first, had managed a decent 163/5 with Parthiv Patel, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina making runs for CSK. Yusuf picked 3 wickets for RR. In reply, Pathan scored 56 from 39 balls (4 x 6 and 3 x 4) that laid the foundation for RR. Rajasthan needed 8 runs in the last over. On the final ball of the over from Sohail Tanvir, RR won the game and started much heartbreak for CSK in Finals in upcoming years in the IPL.
2. IPL Final 2017 – Mumbai Indians (129/8) defeated Rising Pune Supergiant (128/6) by just 1 run
The IPL Final in 2017 saw a low scoring thriller being played between two Teams of Maharashtra – the Mumbai Indians and the Rising Pune Supergiant (now defunct). The RPS Team managed to give strong MI the shock of their lives. However, it was Mumbai Indians who held their nerves and emerged Champs by only 1 run. While batting first, Mumbai did not have the best of the starts as it had to struggle big time in the Hyderabad pitch. They were at the receiving end with the score reading 78/6 at one stage. But it was Hardik Pandya’s knock of 47 off 38 balls that provided the MI with some substance, and they ended up scoring 129/7. The Rising Pune Supergiant had the best chance to make history, and Ajinkya Rahane began on the path scoring a 44 ball 38. Pune was reduced to 98/3 in the 17th over with MS Dhoni being dismissed. Smith held the fortress from one end and scored a 50. In the Final over, Pune needed 11 runs and Mitchell Johnson bowled it. Manoj Tiwary hit a 4 and was out on the next ball. 7 being required on 4 turned out to 7 needed on 3 when Smith was out caught. With Dan Christian on strike, Pune had to score a boundary to win the IPL, the batsman ran for 2, and in his way to run a 3rd Washington Sundar got run out. It avoided MI going into the Super Over and won the game by only 1 run. People predicting MI under the Dream11 prediction today had their hearts into their mouths until the last ball of the game.
3. IPL Final 2019 – Mumbai Indians (149/8) beat Chennai Super Kings (148/7) by only 1 run
It was MI’s 2nd IPL Final in 3 years that saw them winning the Toss and batting first. Mumbai’s Kieron Pollard made 41 from 25 balls, which helped them post 149/8. Needing a modest 150 to win, the CSK did not have the best of the starts. They needed 67 runs from 44 balls, and the task looked impossible when the Captain MS Dhoni was out on 2. CSK needed 62 runs in the last 30 balls, but with Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson still at the crease, the CSK Team still had not given up hopes. The final 2 overs of the innings saw Chennai needing 18 runs. Bumrah bowled a fantastic over in between and gave only 3 – means that CSK needed 9 runs in the last 6 balls. Malinga bowled the final over giving it his best with Yorkers being pelted; CSK could score only 4 runs in the first 3 balls. Watson (79 from 58 balls) was on strike, and his Team needed 5 runs from the last 3 balls to lift the IPL 2019. He handled Malinga’s next ball, which was a Yorker for a run and wanted a 2nd to retain the strike, and was run out. 4 were needed from 2 balls, and Shardul was able to take only 2 and was out LBW off the Final bowl. It helped the Mumbai Indians registering their 2nd 1 run victory in the IPL Finals. Users making the correct today match prediction for MI had their points and accounts flourishing.
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