Chennai eye 3rd title to complete fairytale comeback

Here we are. 59 matches done. 10 venues as hosts. Thousands of miles covered. 149 players fighting tooth and nail to enable their team a shot at the trophy. There were mighty tugs of war - this IPL will perhaps be remembered most for how deep it went and how competitive most of its matches were. 50 days since the start, only two teams remain - Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad - leaving 22 players and a few substitutes their last chance at glory in IPL 2018.

Chennai Super Kings have made a habit of appearing in IPL finals, even if they haven't really made winning the final a habit. They are in their seventh IPL final in nine attempts, having won two, back-to-back, in 2010 and 2011. They were away on a two-year hiatus, and to return to the competition with a triumph will be a statement of sorts for CSK.

For SRH, it will be the culmination of years of meticulous planning and execution. Including this year, they have made the playoffs on three consecutive occasions. Possessing a strong bowling attack already, they strengthened it further this season by adding a few more names. It is no surprise now that their attack is the most lethal and constantly wins them games that people think are beyond them.

As has been the trend this IPL, the tug of war is set to continue into the final games. The match-ups between players from both sides make for a mouth-watering contest. Kane Williamson and MS Dhoni take on each other as not only captains leading from the front, but also as middle order mainstays. Rashid Khan faces the experienced batting order that has gotten the better of him thrice (His 2-11 in four overs in the last game not enough to help SRH win) already. Lungi Ngidi goes up against Shikhar Dhawan, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar will have to tackle two international stars in Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson.

The final is at stake and the sub-plots already look delightful. It has been one hell of an IPL, and it could just have the explosive finish it deserves.

When: IPL 2018 final - May 27, Sunday, 7 PM IST

Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai