5 Key Battles to watch out for in the IPL final: The Eden Gardens will lay out the red carpet for the final of IPL 2015 this Sunday. Two heavy weights of the League will face each other in a fight to be crowned the new champions. Both teams have had great campaigns, with CSK dominating many teams and finishing top of the table with some exceptional performances and MI after a horrid start, recovered magnificently to finish second in the table. They are the two best teams of this IPL, but past success or failure will count for nothing in the showpiece event in Kolkata. Players like Bravo, Hussey, Raina, Dhoni, Rohit, Pollard and Malinga will put their skills on display and the team that wins will take all the plaudits along with the IPL trophy.

In the group stage both the teams won one game against each other by the same margin &#8211; of 6 wickets. There will be some key battles on the ground which could well decide the fate of the match. Here are some of the crucial battles that you should watch out for in the epic clash at the Eden Gardens.

1. Lendl Simmons v Ashish Nehra:

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19189" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg" alt="Ashish Nehra CSK" width="373" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19189" class="wp-caption-text">Ashish Nehra CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Simmons has been a rock for the MI top order with some influential displays with the bat. They will once again look to him for delivering in such a crucial game. His wicket will be key to CSK&#8217;s cause and if Nehra can get him out early, MI&#8217;s middle order can be pressurized. The bowler has had his most successful IPL season till date and will be raring to go in the final. Simmons played a good knock (38) against CSK in their last game while Nehra was severely punished (3-0-45-0) for a bad performance. This battle will shape up the tone for the final.

2. Michael Hussey v Lasith Malinga:

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19111" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg" alt="Michael Hussey CSK" width="388" height="281" sizes="(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19111" class="wp-caption-text">Michael Hussey CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Hussey has faced Malinga many times in previous editions and also played with him in the last IPL. Mr. Cricket reminded us all of his talents in the last game with a crucial knock while Malinga has been MI&#8217;s leading wicket taker in the season. It will be interesting to see the battle of these two great players. For MI to win Malinga has to pick up wickets early on and similarly Hussey&#8217;s experience will be key to CSK&#8217;s fortunes. Malinga had a slow start but has been invaluable to MI in the last few games and his yorkers at the death are just unplayable. While Huss would once again try to be the anchor of the team and MI will need to pick his wicket early to have the upper hand in the game.

3. Rohit Sharma v Ravichandran Ashwin:

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-16266" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma MI" width="347" height="232" sizes="(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16266" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma MI. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Rohit has scored some big runs for MI over the years and has been their key players. The middle order is heavily reliant on him and when he gets going he can post some big totals for MI. Ashwin will be the key in the middle overs after a superb spell in the last game. The offie has had an underwhelming campaign overall but being the senior spinner and a good turner of the ball his spell could end MI&#8217;s hopes of winning. Watch out for this battle as whoever comes out on top can be the key to his team.

4. Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh:

<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19190" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-MI-vs-Suresh-Raina-CSK.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh" width="361" height="248"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19190" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina vs Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

While Raina is behind Dhoni &amp; du Plessis in the scoring charts he has two fifties to their one. He is the most successful IPL batsman of all time and has scored more than 400 runs in each season except this. So it wouldn&#8217;t be a surprise if CSK&#8217;s key player decides to deliver a memorable performance in the final of the tournament. Harbhajan meanwhile holds the key in the middle overs for MI. He will be pumped up after the news of his inclusion for the Bangladesh tour and would want to end the IPL on a high. Bhajji has chipped in with a couple of important performances and him against Raina will be huge battle of wits between two of the most accomplished players of the game.

5. Kieron Pollard v Dwayne Bravo

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-16899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard" width="349" height="250" sizes="(max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16899" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard. (Photo Source:BCCI)</figcaption>

This will be the mother of all battles. Pollard and Bravo are two of the most colorful characters around and they stir up controversies more often than not. Their tussles over the season have been intriguing to watch. Bravo is the current Purple Cap holder and he will most probably bowl in the death overs where he will be up against Pollard who loves to score big towards the end. This will be a major battle for the two teams as both these players are invaluable to their respective teams. Pollard and Bravo are capable of changing the course of the game in a matter of balls and each will want to outperform the other. Apart from cricket, these two usually provide much of the entertainment for the crowds and viewers. Watch out for some big hits and some near misses from these two. Also keep an eye out for Pollard&#8217;s antics and Bravo&#8217;s dance.

5 Key Battles to watch out for in the IPL final:&nbsp;The Eden Gardens will lay out the red carpet for the final of IPL 2015 this Sunday. Two heavy weights of the League will face each other in a fight to be crowned the new champions. Both teams have had great campaigns, with CSK dominating many teams and finishing top of the table with some exceptional performances and MI after a horrid start, recovered magnificently to finish second in the table. They are the two best teams of this IPL, but past success or failure will count for nothing in the showpiece event in Kolkata. Players like Bravo, Hussey, Raina, Dhoni, Rohit, Pollard and Malinga will put their skills on display and the team that wins will take all the plaudits along with the IPL trophy.
In the group stage both the teams won one game against each other by the same margin – of&nbsp;6 wickets. There will be some key battles on the ground which could well decide the fate&nbsp;of the match. Here are some of the crucial battles that you should watch out for in the epic clash at the Eden Gardens.
1. Lendl Simmons v Ashish Nehra:
<figure id="attachment_19189" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19189" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-19189" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg" alt="Ashish Nehra CSK" width="373" height="403" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19189" class="wp-caption-text">Ashish Nehra CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Simmons has been a rock for the MI top order with some influential displays with the bat. They will once again look to him for delivering in such a crucial game. His wicket will be key to CSK’s cause and if Nehra can get him out early, MI’s middle order can be pressurized. The bowler&nbsp;has had his most successful IPL season till date and will be raring to go in the final. Simmons played a good knock (38) against CSK in their last game while Nehra was severely punished (3-0-45-0) for a bad performance. This battle will shape up the tone for the final.
2. Michael Hussey v Lasith Malinga:
<figure id="attachment_19111" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19111" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-19111" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg" alt="Michael Hussey CSK" width="388" height="281" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19111" class="wp-caption-text">Michael Hussey CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Hussey has faced Malinga many times in previous editions and also played with him in the last IPL. Mr. Cricket reminded us all of his talents in the last game with a crucial knock while Malinga has been MI’s leading wicket taker in the season. It will be interesting to see the battle of these two great players. For MI to win Malinga has to pick up wickets early on and similarly Hussey’s experience will be key to CSK’s fortunes. Malinga had a slow start but has been invaluable to MI in the last few games and his yorkers at the death are just unplayable. While Huss would once again try to be the anchor of the team and MI will need to pick his wicket early to have the upper hand in the game.
3. Rohit Sharma v Ravichandran Ashwin:
<figure id="attachment_16266" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16266" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-16266" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma MI" width="347" height="232" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16266" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma MI. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Rohit has scored some big runs for MI over the years and has been their key players. The middle order is heavily reliant on him and when he gets going he can post some big totals for MI. Ashwin will be the key in the middle overs after a superb spell in the last game. The offie&nbsp;has had an underwhelming campaign overall but being the senior spinner and a good turner of the ball his spell could end MI’s hopes of winning. Watch out for this battle as whoever comes out on top can be the key to his team.
4. Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh:
<figure id="attachment_19190" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19190" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class=" wp-image-19190" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-MI-vs-Suresh-Raina-CSK.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh" width="361" height="248" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19190" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina vs Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
While Raina is behind Dhoni &amp; du Plessis in the scoring charts he has two fifties to their one. He&nbsp;is the most successful IPL batsman of all time and has scored more than 400 runs in each season except this. So it wouldn’t be a surprise if CSK’s key player decides to deliver a memorable performance in the final of the tournament. Harbhajan meanwhile holds the key in the middle overs for MI. He will be pumped up after the news of his inclusion for the Bangladesh tour and would want to end the IPL on a high. Bhajji&nbsp;has chipped in with a couple of important performances and him against Raina will be huge battle of wits between two of the most accomplished players of the game.
5. Kieron Pollard v Dwayne Bravo
<figure id="attachment_16899" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16899" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-16899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard" width="349" height="250" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16899" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard. (Photo Source:BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
This will be the mother of all battles. Pollard and Bravo are two of the most colorful characters around and they stir up controversies more often than not. Their tussles over the season have been intriguing to watch. Bravo is the current Purple Cap holder and he will most probably bowl in the death overs where he will be up against Pollard who loves to score big towards the end. This will be a major battle for the two teams as both these players are invaluable to their respective teams. Pollard and Bravo are capable of changing the course of&nbsp;the game in a matter of balls and each will want to outperform the other. Apart from cricket, these two usually provide much of the entertainment for the crowds and viewers. Watch out for some big hits and some near misses from these two. Also keep an eye out for Pollard’s antics and Bravo’s dance.

5 Key Battles to watch out for in the IPL final: The Eden Gardens will lay out the red carpet for the final of IPL 2015 this Sunday. Two heavy weights of the League will face each other in a fight to be crowned the new champions. Both teams have had great campaigns, with CSK dominating many teams and finishing top of the table with some exceptional performances and MI after a horrid start, recovered magnificently to finish second in the table. They are the two best teams of this IPL, but past success or failure will count for nothing in the showpiece event in Kolkata. Players like Bravo, Hussey, Raina, Dhoni, Rohit, Pollard and Malinga will put their skills on display and the team that wins will take all the plaudits along with the IPL trophy.
In the group stage both the teams won one game against each other by the same margin &#8211; of 6 wickets. There will be some key battles on the ground which could well decide the fate of the match. Here are some of the crucial battles that you should watch out for in the epic clash at the Eden Gardens.
1. Lendl Simmons v Ashish Nehra:
<figure id="attachment_19189" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19189" style="width: 373px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19189" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ashish-Nehra-CSK-IPL-2015.jpg" alt="Ashish Nehra CSK" width="373" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19189" class="wp-caption-text">Ashish Nehra CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Simmons has been a rock for the MI top order with some influential displays with the bat. They will once again look to him for delivering in such a crucial game. His wicket will be key to CSK&#8217;s cause and if Nehra can get him out early, MI&#8217;s middle order can be pressurized. The bowler has had his most successful IPL season till date and will be raring to go in the final. Simmons played a good knock (38) against CSK in their last game while Nehra was severely punished (3-0-45-0) for a bad performance. This battle will shape up the tone for the final.
2. Michael Hussey v Lasith Malinga:
<figure id="attachment_19111" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19111" style="width: 388px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19111" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mike-Hussey-fifty-vs-RCB.jpg" alt="Michael Hussey CSK" width="388" height="281" sizes="(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19111" class="wp-caption-text">Michael Hussey CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Hussey has faced Malinga many times in previous editions and also played with him in the last IPL. Mr. Cricket reminded us all of his talents in the last game with a crucial knock while Malinga has been MI&#8217;s leading wicket taker in the season. It will be interesting to see the battle of these two great players. For MI to win Malinga has to pick up wickets early on and similarly Hussey&#8217;s experience will be key to CSK&#8217;s fortunes. Malinga had a slow start but has been invaluable to MI in the last few games and his yorkers at the death are just unplayable. While Huss would once again try to be the anchor of the team and MI will need to pick his wicket early to have the upper hand in the game.
3. Rohit Sharma v Ravichandran Ashwin:
<figure id="attachment_16266" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16266" style="width: 347px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-16266" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma-in-IPL8.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma MI" width="347" height="232" sizes="(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16266" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma MI. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Rohit has scored some big runs for MI over the years and has been their key players. The middle order is heavily reliant on him and when he gets going he can post some big totals for MI. Ashwin will be the key in the middle overs after a superb spell in the last game. The offie has had an underwhelming campaign overall but being the senior spinner and a good turner of the ball his spell could end MI&#8217;s hopes of winning. Watch out for this battle as whoever comes out on top can be the key to his team.
4. Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh:
<figure id="attachment_19190" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19190" style="width: 361px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-19190" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-MI-vs-Suresh-Raina-CSK.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina v Harbhajan Singh" width="361" height="248"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19190" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina vs Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
While Raina is behind Dhoni &amp; du Plessis in the scoring charts he has two fifties to their one. He is the most successful IPL batsman of all time and has scored more than 400 runs in each season except this. So it wouldn&#8217;t be a surprise if CSK&#8217;s key player decides to deliver a memorable performance in the final of the tournament. Harbhajan meanwhile holds the key in the middle overs for MI. He will be pumped up after the news of his inclusion for the Bangladesh tour and would want to end the IPL on a high. Bhajji has chipped in with a couple of important performances and him against Raina will be huge battle of wits between two of the most accomplished players of the game.
5. Kieron Pollard v Dwayne Bravo
<figure id="attachment_16899" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16899" style="width: 349px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-16899" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-vs-Dwayne-Bravo.jpg" alt="Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard" width="349" height="250" sizes="(max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16899" class="wp-caption-text">Dwayne Bravo vs Kieron Pollard. (Photo Source:BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
This will be the mother of all battles. Pollard and Bravo are two of the most colorful characters around and they stir up controversies more often than not. Their tussles over the season have been intriguing to watch. Bravo is the current Purple Cap holder and he will most probably bowl in the death overs where he will be up against Pollard who loves to score big towards the end. This will be a major battle for the two teams as both these players are invaluable to their respective teams. Pollard and Bravo are capable of changing the course of the game in a matter of balls and each will want to outperform the other. Apart from cricket, these two usually provide much of the entertainment for the crowds and viewers. Watch out for some big hits and some near misses from these two. Also keep an eye out for Pollard&#8217;s antics and Bravo&#8217;s dance.

5 Key Battles to watch out for in the IPL final

5 Key Battles to watch out for in the IPL final: The Eden Gardens will lay out the red carpet for the final of IPL 2015 this Sunday. Two heavy weights of th