Suresh Raina believes Chennai Super Kings will have to bring their ‘A’ game to the Eden Gardens if they are going to dismantle Mumbai Indians and lay their hands on their third IPL title.
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Raina who has the highest number of IPL games under his belt and also tops the overall batting charts with 3671 runs from 131 games, knows it will take a herculean effort from Chennai to ups-tage Mumbai, who have already won two of their three meetings against them this season.
No team has tested Chennai as much as Mumbai, who will meeting them for the third time in a final.
Chennai won the first in 2010 by 22 runs while Mumbai settled scores by winning in 2013 by 23 runs. A win for either team will land them the 2015 IPL supremo tag.
Chennai, however, still hold the bragging rights for the top IPL team. Six finals, two titles and 94 victories in 155 matches over the past eight years is no mean feat. Mumbai are the second best with three final appearances, one title and 83 victories in 147 matches.
All the best to @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/klrcKDSyVd
— samuel badree (@qmanbad) May 24, 2015
Overall, Chennai have been consistent while Mumbai have blown hot and cold. But this season, it has been the other way round. After starting well by notching six victories in their first seven games, Chennai have struggled winning four of their next nine matches. Mumbai, on the other hand, lost five of their first six games but have logged eight wins in their last nine.
Raina insists they cannot afford any slip-ups against Mumbai, who have a better record in Kolkata having won six of their eight games while Chennai have won four and lost four at the venue.
“When you’re taking on MI, you have to really play very good cricket. We still remember the loss against them in the 2103 final.
“There is going to be pressure but you need to play on your merit and work hard on your game. I think whichever team gets nervous will lose the battle.”
And all you @ChennaiIPL fans, do you have what it takes to cheer for #CSK? #UnitedByGoodTimes #CSKvsMI pic.twitter.com/6DVvS2TDoe
— Kingfisher (@kingfisherworld) May 24, 2015
The Chennai left-hander is banking on his team’s experience and the leadership skills of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to see them through.
“T20 format is very short and you don’t have plan B. We would look to play positive cricket. That is the thing we have done in the past.
“When you know Dhoni is there – he is the most consistent captain and is the reason we have been in most finals over the last eight years – you have the advantage.”
Chennai are missing the dash of opener and their top rungetter of the season Brendon McCullum (436 runs), who has headed to England for national duty. But they will be encouraged by Michael Hussey’s display in the second qualifier.
The 40-year-old veteran, filling in for McCullum, hit a fluent 56 in 46-balls to set up the win against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
