IPL 8: Why tonight's final between CSK and MI will be epic

After one-and-a-half months of gruelling and high octane cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL), we are ready for the grand finale. Fifty-nine matches in such a short span of time may have sapped the energy out of the players and fans alike, and many have said that this has been just too much of cricket, but we are not complaining.

IPL 8 would be remembered for many feats of brilliance, chiefly Chris Gayle's murderous 46-ball century against the Kings XI Punjab (and indeed his celebration thereafter). Then, while centuries by Brendon McCullum and AB de Villiers left us spellbound, Ashish Nehra turned back the clock and made the ball talk. On the other hand, young domestic talents like Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and Shreyas Iyer assured us that there would be reason to cheer for the Indian fans in times to come.

Now, as the 60th and final match is upon us, one can't help but be awestruck by the achievement of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which has reached its 6th IPL final, having won the competition twice (what is it with yellow jerseys? Australia in World Cup finals and CSK in IPL finals seem to have become the norm).

There is really a sense of resignation now when you hear that the CSK is in an IPL final and you would have to be quite brave to bet against it. It is fair to admit now that in the second qualifier, billed widely as a clash between "Captain Cool" (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) and "Captain Flamboyant" (Virat Kohli), a part of me was supporting Kohli and his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) boys. It was not simply because I am enamoured by the star-studded RCB batting line-up comprising Gayle, de Villiers and Kohli himself, it was also because of the urge to see something new in the final. Some of us are a bit jaded seeing the CSK in the IPL final again and again and AGAIN. For goodness' sake, Dhoni and company, give the others a chance!

However, on a more serious note, if the CSK has been one of the most prolific teams in IPL history, it is because the team deserved it every bit, and if others have to have a chance, they must earn it. The ruthless efficiency that the Dhoni-led CSK brings to the field, reflects that shown by the legendary Australian teams under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Interestingly, Ponting himself would be in the dug-out of the Mumbai Indians (MI), CSK's opponents in tonight's final. He had led Australia to dizzying heights in both Tests and One Day Internationals (ODIs). What can he do, as the MI coach, to plot the defeat of the mighty CSK would be intersting to see.

The MI, whose campaign got off to a horrendous start, slowly found its feet, registering some fine wins on its way to the final. If the CSK reminds us of Australia, the way the 2013 champions, MI, stuttered at the start, composed itself and then was on a roll, is reminiscent of Imran Khan's Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup.

Imran's team began with a ten-wicket thrashing at the hands of the West Indies, and was shot out for 74 in its third match against England (only to be saved by the rain god). After losses to arch-rivals India and a formidable South Africa, Pakistan looked to be in dire straits, before a win against Australia turned it around for it, and from then onwards the team never looked back, winning all its remaining matches, including twice against a powerful New Zealand and the final against England.

Can the MI, who has momentum on its side, go all the way, like Imran's Pakistan in 1992? Will captain Rohit Sharma, who made a fine 98 not out in the opening match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), inspire his team to victory? The Eden Gardens has been a happy hunting ground for Sharma and it is here that he scored a record-setting 264 in an ODI against Sri Lanka last year. Or will the big-hitting West Indian Kieron Pollard step up to the plate? Pollard's 17-ball 41 against the CSK in the first qualifier dealt a killer punch. Can he do an encore? Or will Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh take the centrestage? Or could it be the young Hardik Pandya? Like the CSK, MI also has a galaxy of stars, but the team would have its task cut out. But can MI do it for its great icon Sachin Tendulkar and for its fans across India and the world?

With the final just hours away, here's a look at some of the top tweets:

All the best to both teams in the @IPL final tomorrow... May the better team win on the day! #Mumbai vs #CSK

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) May 23, 2015

MI is the better side in the IPL finals. If the pitch turns, CSK become major threat to MI. If nerves come into play CSK wins. #IPL2015

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 23, 2015

IPL 8 so far: #MIvCSK #CSKvMI Played : 3 games #MI won 2, #CSK 1 Now for the Final! #ApunKaSuperstar #MI

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 22, 2015

What a turnaround this has been by @mipaltan.after first 4 games to become the team to beat now,clawing bk frm behind,all about self-belief

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) May 19, 2015

CSK reach the Finals of the CSK Premier league

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 22, 2015

1st they counted us off, now they term us favourites! We welcome all challenges! #ApunKaSuperstar(s) are ready for Kolkata, paltan are you.

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 19, 2015

A contest within the bigger contest that the fans would be eagerly waiting to see would be between the two West Indians, Kieron Pollard and Dwyane Bravo. They have had quite a rivalry in the IPL and had never shied away from a banter.

As things stand, MI leads CSK in this year's IPL two-to-one, and 12-11 overall. In the two IPL finals the two teams played against each other (in 2010 and 2013), the score is one-one. But tonight, all these statistics won't matter. It is just one match, 40 overs, one opportunity. The team that takes that opportunity would have its hands on the silverware. Who do you think will win? The magnificent Eden Gardens awaits.