CLT20 final: Explosive top-order puts RCB ahead of Mumbai Indians


Royal Challengers Bangalore took batting pyrotechnics to a different level in the last two games to keep some good interest going for the Indian audience.

An all-IPL final was the fillip the Champions League required to boost its sagging morale. Cricket as a sport has been built on inter-country rivalry and even for a matured audience it will take time to appreciate the nuances of club clashes.

The cricket loving public of Chennai are not happy with CSK’s ouster but they are not going without dinner either as they might in the event of India going down to Pakistan in a key clash. Credit to RCB and Mumbai for ensuring a fair turnout on Sunday.

The business end of the tournament has seen scores in excess of 200 crossed with amazing regularity. The going for the finalists might not be that easy at the MA Chidambaram Stadium strip, which has blown hot and cold.

The batsmen have to be sure of their hitting zone and to go through with the big hits without holding anything back. Half measures and deft placements have not worked well here this season.

Spin should continue to play a dominant role on Sunday as well. Off-spinner R. ashwin and a few others have held sway under helpful conditions here. RCB and Mumbai are both blessed with crafty spinners.

The sun not coming out in all its glory over the last two days must gladden the hearts of the spinners. A slower track could also turn out to be RCB’s disadvantage as they are still an engine that chugs on their batting might.

A pulsating final will go a long way in enhancing the reputation of the tournament. The reasons for a lukewarm response are many. Blame it on an overdose or unknown participants the connect has somehow gone missing.

Chennai Super Kings were the first IPL team to win but that happened in far away South Africa. An IPL franchise winning in India will help lift the dipping TRPs.


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