Chennai to face Warriors in final

Johannesburg: After the grueling play of 16 days where batsmen bludgeoned the ball from outset, bowlers disturbed timbers on numerous occasions and tactical brilliance by skippers dumbfounded many, the ball is set to roll for the last time. And finally the two juggernauts have got the credence to provide the befitting end to this extravaganza.

In Sunday’s final, the Super Kings from Chennai will lock horns with the Warriors of South Africa and, not just a big cheque will be waiting for the winner, but players from both the sides will also be itching to lift the glittering Champions League Twenty20 trophy for the first time.

Both teams compete each other neck and neck in every department of the game. On one hand, Warriors have Davy Jacobs – their skipper – who has put opposition bowlers to the sword throughout the tournament. The other side has Suresh Raina, whose onslaughts, especially against the Royal Challengers Bangalore would have won the hearts of many supporters not just back home but all round the world.

Jacobs’s 252 runs have made him the most successful batsman in the tournament so far, while the batting display by Murali Vijay (236 runs in five matches) and Suresh Raina (201 runs in as many matches) has also helped them earn spots in the list of top four run-getter of the event.

With experienced Michael Hussey at the top, Chennai’s middle order is packed with free flowing S Badrinath, young Anirudha Srikkanth and exceptional MS Dhoni, who is capable of giving his side a big flourish at the end with the help of big-hitting Albie Morkel.

Just like Chennai, Ashwell Prince gives the solidarity to the Warriors side, followed by dynamic Colin Ingram. Justin Kreusch, with his all-round abilities, has done the trick for his captain, while we all are aware of the fighting spirit of Mark Boucher and Johan Botha.

Botha, is equally a tough nut to crack when it comes to scoring off his well disguised spinning deliveries. Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who had a brilliant semi-final game against the South Australia Redbacks and Juan Theron, who has been exceptional with his line and length both upfront and in death overs, complete the Warriors’ line-up which is well capable of making its opposition bite the dust on a given day.

For Chennai, just like batters, their bowlers are also ruling the list of most wicket takers in the competition, with off-spinner R Ashwin is leading the chart with 11 wickets in five matches, followed by the magician Muttiah Muralitharan with 9 wickets in as many games.

Doug Bollinger, too, has troubled many with the spongy bounce he generates from the wicket. The Australian pacer is also the fourth highest wicket taker in the event.

So, with everything is settled equally between the two sides, it would be a battle of nerves and the team that holds it for a longer duration will come victorious at the end.