IPL 3 Final: CSK Vs MI – Clash of the Titans, Dhoni Vs Sachin

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was eight years old when Sachin Tendulkar played his first game for India. And it wasnt till the next 15 years that the two began to share the dressing room. And now after having played cricket together for six years, the two are extremely admiring of each other's qualities. Dhoni believes Tendulkar was born to play cricket. The master blaster says MSD is clear and uncomplicated. But on Sunday they won't give each other an inch as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings face off in what should be a gut-wrenching IPL final at the DY Patil Stadium here.

There's tremendous similarity between Tendulkar and Dhoni. They come from similar family backgrounds. One loves fast cars, the other loves his big bikes. Theres a methodical madness in the manner they play their game. And they are both humble heroes.

On Sunday, all of this will be left in the dressing room as the two men, always hungry for success, lead their teams out for the final time in this edition of the IPL. Tendulkar is nursing an injury, one that could make him unavailable for the final. But knowing the man, who has battled many other injuries in his 21-year-long international career, one can safely say that Tendulkar will not want to leave the job unfinished. Hes led the team from the front right through and he will do so in the final as well.

That is surely not a blow to MS Dhonis ambition of winning the title. The Chennai captain loves a good fight. Captain cool is also captain pragmatic and his calm and composed approach will again hold the key to his teams fortunes. Having lost the inaugural title to the Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni is determined to make it count this time round.

MSD's determination to win the IPL has definitely been boosted by Aussie pacer Doug Bollinger. While most would imagine four for 13 to be figures achieved on a balmy morning session of a Test match, Bollinger produced this spell in the semi-final game against the Deccan Chargers. Chennai's weak pace lineup has got a much-needed fillip since he joined the team and his ability to pick wickets at the top of the innings is critical against a strong Mumbai batting lineup.

Along with Bollinger, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shadab Jakati Muttiah Muralitharan and Albie Morkel give Chennai the teeth and the firepower.

But it is their batting and their opening slot that is a cause for concern. Matthew Hayden hasnt really set the IPL on fire this time and his mongooses bat also came in handy only once. Knowing that Hayden is the kind of player who is just one knock away from blowing apart the opposition, Chennai will now have to take the tough decision of whether or not to leave him out of the title game.

Leaving Hayden out will also give them the option of playing all-rounder Justin Kemp, who could also come in handy with the ball just in case one of the regular bowlers is taken for runs early in the innings. Chennais middle order is well set with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath and Albie Morkel all finding the sweet spot of the bat. And this lineup facing Mumbais bowlers will be the perfect contest. Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Dilhara Fernando are all in top form.

All-rounder Kieron Pollard, who has come good both with the bat and ball off late, will also pose a big threat to Chennai in both the innings. While Tendulkar is the key for Mumbai, other batsmen like Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu and Shikhar Dhawan have proved their mettle right through the tournament.

Mumbai Indians will hope to win the title for their skipper who turned 37 on Saturday. And this is one party Dhoni and company would like to gatecrash. In what should be a nerve-wracking game, the saving grace for all the fans is that at least an Indian captain will finally lift the IPL trophy.