IPL 6 Final: Mumbai Indians are the new champs

Mumbai Indians were crowned champions of the Indian Premier League for the first time when they defeated two-time winners Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday night.

Chasing a target of 149, Chennai were floored by Malinga and Johnson who ripped through the top order claiming two wickets each.

Chennai never recovered after Malinga struck in consecutive deliveries in the first over to dismiss Hussey and Raina.

Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals with only Viay (18), Bravo (15) and Albier Morkel (10) managing double figures apart from Dhoni's defiant innings to finish on 125-9.

Dhoni kept alive their faint hopes with a fighting unbeaten knock of 63 off 45 balls which was studded with five sixes and three boundaries but it was a difficult mountain for the two-time champions to climb.

"I think the batting department failed, Hussey and Raina got out to good balls but the rest of them played some bad shots," said Chennai skipper Dhoni.

It was sweet revenge for Mumbai who lost the final to the same opposition in 2010.

"Captaincy was a good challenge and it's been a great experience and a learning curve. We knew we haven't won the title for the last five years but this time we were very determined," said Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma after collecting the winner's trophy together with Ricky Ponting from whom he took over the captain's arm band in the middle of the season.

Malinga kept his best for the last claiming two for 22 while Johnson had two for 19.

Harbhajan also chipped in with two for 14.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians recovered after a horror start to reach 148-9 after opting to bat first.

Pollard smashed three sixes and seven boundaries in his 32-ball unbeaten 60 to lift Mumbai who were reeling at 16 for three at one stage.

"Good to play some of your best cricket against the best IPL team," said man of the match Pollard after receiving his award.

Mumbai were rocked early when Mohit Sharma trapped the dangerous Smith leg before in the first over.

They were floored by the double strike of Morkel who bowled Tare and dismissed skipper Sharma cheaply.

Karthik (21) revived the innings briefly before being bowled by Morris as Mumbai slipped to 52-4.

Pollard repaired the innings in partnership with Rayudu (37) before Bravo struck.

Bravo ripped through the rest of the batting claiming four for 42 to become the holder of the Purple Cap with 31 wickets.

Gurkeerat Singh wins the catch of the tournament for the diving catch at fine-leg off a Ross Taylor hook.

Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals wins the best Young Player of the tournament award.

"Feel very lucky to be a part of Rajasthan," said Samson.

Chennai Super Kings won the Fairplay Award.

Shane Watson wins the MVP award.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS

The IPL crown is another feather in the cap for Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar who did not play since suffering an injury and confirms it would be his last IPL tournament.

There is an outpouring of joy around Eden Gardens by both players and fans of Mumbai Indians after clinically dismantling the tough Chennai Super Kings.

Pollard goes for 18 in the final over with Dhoni smashing consecutive sixes to complete his half century in style and finishes with a boundary as Chennai manage 125-9 in 20 overs but lose by 23 runs.

Dhoni hits a boundary off Malinga in the 19th over.

It is all over bar the shouting with Mumbai virtually having sewn up the final despite Dhoni being in the middle.

Chennai lose their ninth wicket as Ashwin departs in the 18th over. CSK 99-9.

R Ashwin c sub (AR Patel) b Pollard 9 (18b 0x4 0x6)

Johnson bowls a tight over giving away just four runs. CSK 97-8 in 17 overs.

Dhoni is keeping alive Chennai's slim hopes of victory by hammering a monster six off Pollard. CSK 93-8 in 16 overs.

Dhoni slog sweeps Ojha for another six but can he turn it around for Chennai who need 66 from 30 balls. CSK 83-8 in 15 overs.

Dhoni gets a boundary off Malinga but Chennai need 76 off the last six overs with just two wickets in hand.

Dhoni blasts a six off Ojha as Chennai face an uphill task. CSK 67-8 in 13 overs.

Mumbai must be surely scenting victory as Morris goes for a duck caught behind. CSK 58-8.

C Morris c Karthik b Harbhajan Singh 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Ojha strikes another blow as Morkel is bowled. CSK 57-7.

A Morkel b Ojha 10 (10b 0x4 1x6)

Tight over from Pollard giving away just four runs as Chennai teach 54-6 at the halfway stage.

Morkel slams a towering six off Harbhajan as Chennai attempt to salvage their innings. CSK 50-6 in 9 overs.

Chennai are falling like nine pins as Vijay miscues a pull shot off Johnson. CSK 39-6.

M Vijay c Sharma b Johnson 18 (20b 2x4 0x6)

Dhoni has walked into the middle with Chennai staring at the barrel with half the side gone with just 38 on the board.

Mumbai have taken a firm grip of the match as Jadeja holes out to Pollard in the deep. CSK 36-5.

R Jadeja c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Dhawan strikes with the final ball of his first over getting the big wicket of Bravo who chips to Johnson at mid-on. CSK 35-4.

D Bravo c Johnson b Dhawan 15 (16b 3x4 0x6)

Karthik fails to hold onto a tough chances after Vijay edges Dhawan.

Bravo lofts the first ball from Dhawan over mid-off for a boundary.

Bravo smashes the first ball from Ojha to the mid-on fence. CSK 29-3 in 5 overs.

A good over for Chennai as Vijay gets a couple of boundaries off Johnson. CSK 22-3 in 4 overs.

Bravo manages to hit the first boundary of the innings despite another fiery over from Malinga. CSK 12-3 in 3 overs.

Mumbai are rocking Chennai as Badrinath chases a wide delivery from Johnson to be caught behind by Karthik. CSK 3-3.

S Badrinath c Karthik b Johnson 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Sensational start for Mumbai as Malinga removes Hussey and Raina in successive ball before Badrinath survives the hat-trick ball. CSK 2-2 in 1 over.

Malinga strikes in consecutive balls as Raina is out for a first-ball duck. CSK 2-2.

S Raina c Smith b Malinga 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Malinga strikes a deadly blow with his fourth ball yorkiing Orange Cap holder Michael Hussey. CSK 2-1.

M Hussey b Malinga 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Malinga to open the attack for Mumbai as Hussey takes strike for Chennai.

MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS

Pollard slams consecutive sixes off Bravo as Mumbai reach 148-9.

Pollard smashes a full toss from Bravo for a six to complete his half century.

Bravo gets his fourth wicket as Malinga is caught behind for a duck. MI 135-9.

L Malinga c Dhoni b Bravo 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Bravo becomes the first man to take 30 IPL wickets in a season as Dhoni take a brilliant catch to dismiss Johnson. MI 135-8.

M Johnson c Dhoni b Bravo 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Morris bowls a good 19th over as MI reach 135-7.

Dhawan is run out as Mumbai lose their seventh wicket. MI 133-7.

R Dhawan run out 3 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Big over for Mumbai as Bravo goes for 17 despite claiming the wicket of Harbhajan. MI 129-6 in 18 overs.

Harbhajan perishes after hitting three streaky boundaries off Bravo slicing to Hussey in the deep. MI 125-6.

Harbhajan Singh c Hussey b Bravo 14 (8b 3x4 0x6)

Harbhajan gets another boundary off a thick inside edge off Bravo.

Harbhajan edges Bravo for a boundary past the outstretched hands of Dhoni.

Pollard hooks a bouncer from Morris to square leg for a boundary. MI 112-5 in 17 overs.

Pollard hits out at Bravo smashing him back past the bowler for a boundary. MI 106-5 in 16 overs.

Bravo knocks the middle stump of Rayudu with the first delivery after the second strategic break. MI 100-5.

A Rayudu b Bravo 37 (36b 4x4 0x6)

Pollard gets a couple of boundaries off misfield and a mishit off Sharma. MI 100-4 in 15 overs as the second strategic break is taken.

A good opening over by Bravo giving away only only singles. MI 90-4 in 14 overs.

Pollard hits the first six of the match slamming Ashwin over long-on. MI 84-4 in 13 overs.

Pollard is living dangerously edging Jadeja past Aswhin in the slips for a boundary. MI 74-4 in 12 overs.

Rayudu slams Ashwin inside out over extra cover for a boundary. MI 65-4 in 11 overs.

Pollard completes 1,000 IPL runs in style with a straight drive to the fence off the first ball from Morris. MI 58-4 in 10 overs.

Morris strikes after the break bowling Karthik off an inside edge. MI 52-4.

D Karthik b Morris 21 (26b 3x4 0x6)

It's slow going for Mumbai who are recovering after the early losses to reach 50-3 in 9 overs at the first strategic break.

Rayudu edges Sharma for another boundary past the keeper. MI 40-3 in 7 overs.

Rayudu gets into his stride cracking a couple of boundaries off Morkel. MI 34-3 in 6 overs.

Karthik is attempting to spearhead Mumbai's recovery hitting another boundary off Sharma. MI 25-3 in 5 overs.

Karthik hits another lovely boundary off Sharma with superb timing through the covers.

Another good over for Chennai after Morkel's double strike. MI 18-3 in 4 overs.

Mumbai are reeling as Morkel strikes again holding a return catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma. MI 16-3.

R Sharma c and b Morkel 2 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Karthik punches Sharma through extra-cover for a boundary. MI 16-2 in 3 overs.

Morkel concedes just three runs in his splendid opening over. MI 11-2 in 2 overs.

Albie Morkel strikes with his first ball knocking back the stump of Tare beating him with an in dipper. MI 8-2.

A Tare b Morkel 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Karthik opens his account with an edged boundary off Sharma. MI 8-1 in 1 over.

Smith hits the first boundary of the final driving the third ball from Sharma through the covers but is out next ball. MI 4-1.

D Smith lbw b Sharma 4 (4b 1x4 0x6)

Dwayne Smith and Aditya Tare open the innings for Mumbai with Mohit Sharma opening the attack for Chennai.

 Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Simoun Taufel walk into the middle as CSK go into a huddle.

All set for a crackerjack of a final at packed Eden Gardens.

"We have been here before, but it's a fresh start. All of us are in a very good state of mind," said a smiling CSK captain Dhoni playing in his fifth final.

"It's been a great season. A big day for us but we won't put too much pressure on ourselves. It's always good to win the toss," said MI skipper Sharma as they aim to put runs on the board.

Rohit Sharma has won the toss and Mumbai Indians will bat first in the final of IPL6 against Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Dhoni says he would have batted first also.

Both teams are unchanged from the last game which means Tendulkar will be on the bench.

PLAYING XI

CSK - M Hussey, M Vijay, S Raina, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, S Badrinath, D Bravo, J Morkel, C Morris, R Ashwin, M Sharma

MI - A Tare, D Smith, D Karthik, R Sharma, K Pollard, A  Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, R Dhawan, M Johnson, L Malinga, P Ojha

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are out there for the toss on a humid evening at Eden Gardens.

The good news is that there no sign of any rain at Eden Gardens which delayed the start of Qualifier 2 by one hour on Friday.

We are few minutes away from the toss for the Grand Final of IPL6.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has tweeted: "T 1120 -Ok .. excusé moi ..! IPL about to start .. see ya all in a while .. !!" (‏@SrBachchan)

There is an air of expectancy for a cracker of a match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

And congratulations are pouring in via social media for the two deserving finalists.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has tweeted: "Was a great experience to be there for the last two @ChennaiIPL Finals! I wish them good luck tonight! Another knockout victory vs Mumbai!" (@scottbstyris)

Chennai player Dirk Nannes has also tweeted: "The CSK boys are ready to roll and win the IPL. Massive game day for so many reasons. Hopefully its a great match!" (‏@dirk_nannes)

His Chennai team mate Albie Morkel also tweeted: "After a tough couple of days, its time for the team to do what we do best and play the game we love!" (‏@albiemorkel)

Despite the spot-fixing saga which has rocked IPL, the final of the richest Twenty20 cricket tournament promises no less excitement than the previous five editions when the top two sides this season battle it out like gladiators at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday night.

In a fitting finale, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, lock horns in what promises to be a clash of titanic proportions.

CSK and MI finished the regular league season first and second in the standings, with two-time champions Chennai winning the first Playoff to seal their berth in their fifth IPL final whereas Mumbai took a longer route defeating Rajasthan in Qualifier 2.

At stake is the title of champions of Pepsi IPL 2013, the glorious IPL trophy and a winner’s cheque for Rs 10 Crore.

The dramatic off-field developments has added to the intrigue of the contest with questions being raised whether the match will even take place at all.

However, there is little doubt that the eyes of the cricketing world will be glued on the action on the field for now and praying for clear skies in the City of Joy.

Nonetheless, CSK seem to be a team in turmoil after Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of BCCI president N Srinivasan and the CEO of the side, was arrested by the Mumbai police on Friday.

According to Times Now,  both captain MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma on Saturday skipped the pre-match news conference ahead of the IPL 6 final with coaches, Stephen Fleming of CSK and John Wright of MI addressing it.

"The Chennai players are stressed by all the allegations and neither the players nor the support staff have any knowledge about the betting and fixing," said Fleming.

Fleming also apologised on behalf of Dhoni for his absence from the news conference, according to a report in Times of India.

Wright revealed that Sachin Tendulkar is "unlikely" to play in Sunday's final.

"At this stage, Sachin is probably doubtful for tomorrow. It's probably unlikely. We'll take a final call tomorrow," Wright told reporters.

Tendulkar has not played since injuring his left wrist in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had also missed Friday's Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at the same venue.

About the mood in the MI camp, he said, "We are pleased to be here. If we did not play well in the last game, we would not be here and wake up to this moment. We are really excited to be here.

"It's a great league. We have had a lot of tough games. Tomorrow will be no different, it will be another just another tough game."

CSK will expect Hussey, Raina or Dhoni to get a big score. Murali Vijay could also rise to the occasion like he did in the last two finals.

Dwayne Smith has given Mumbai flying starts in the last two matches while skipper Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard are their other key players.

Mumbai have a formidable attack in  Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha while Chennai have an effective unit in Dwayne Bravo, Mohit Sharma, R Ashwin and Chris Morris.

Mumbai have the best record against Chennai have emerged victorious in eight of their previous 14 meetings, including twice in the league matches this season.

Chennai have the experience of being a part of four consecutive, five overall, finals but it is Mumbai's best chance to win their maiden IPL title and avenge their 2010 final defeat.

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