Chennai Super Kings will be looking to gain revenge on the 2014 IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders as the CLT20 sees yet another all-IPL affair when the two sides clash in the final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
A determined Chennai Super Kings will be looking to gain revenge on the 2014 IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders as the CLT20 sees yet another all-IPL affair when the two sides clash in the final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams had met in the final of the 2012 Indian Premier League, when Kolkata defeated Chennai by five wickets and also recently, in the opener of the tournament where KKR had the better of CSK.
But even if KKR who will miss the services of banned spinner, Sunil Narine; will look to cash in the unbeaten momentum and win their first ever CLT20 whereas the Chennai Super Kings might just ruin the day for Gambhir and co.
As we await the final clash, here are 5 epic battles to watch out for in the final of the CLT20 when these two goliaths of IPL go head to head.
Piyush Chawla vs. Dwayne Smith
With the unavailability of Sunil Narine, KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir will be pinning his hopes on spinner Piyush Chawla to strike gold in the final. But upfront in the CSK corner will be hard-hitting, Dwayne Smith who likes to take on the spinners. Will Chawla prevail or will Dwayne Smith’s blistering batting form crush the KKR? Exciting contest this!
Kuldeep Yadav vs. Suresh Raina
KKR captain Gautam Gambhir has backed young spinner Kuldeep Yadav throughout this tournament and will do so in the final as well. The Uttar Pradesh-born will look to neutralise the CSK attack especially his statesman, Suresh Raina. Indian southpaw Raina has been in tremendous form in the CLT20 and so is Yadav and the battle between the two will be an eye-catching one.
Jacques Kallis vs. Ashish Nehra
South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis might not be the pinchitter in the side but his experience will be vital during the final. Kallis hates in-swinging deliveries that nip back in the stumps and Ashish Nehra is an expert at those kinds of balls.
Andre Russell vs. MS Dhoni
West Indian Andre Russell turned the result in his side’s favour in the opening game of the CLT20 against the CSK where the former hit a crackling half-century to take the side to victory. Here too, the all-rounder will look to strike with the ball and if that will be the CSK skipper MS Dhoni, then the IPL champions might have one hand on the trophy.
Gautam Gambhir vs. Ravichandran Ashwin
Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper Gautam Gambhir is a great player of spin bowling and that will be of huge importance during their dual with spin wizard, Ravi Ashwin. The Indian spinner will be looking to create inroads in the KKR side but Gambhir’s experience might just come in handy!
