Breaking down the IPL Final

Now that the 45-day T20 tournament has ended, we analyse the defining moments of the final between Chennai and Mumbai with a look at the Castrol Index.

The Chennai Super Kings delivered in the back half of the tournament and capped it off with a dominant display in the final. Where was the match won? To answer that question, we take a look back at the IPL Final and use the Castrol Index to break down the key moments in the game.

Phase I: The Steady Start

Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden didn’t get off to the quickest start, but they held things together and ensured Chennai didn’t lose early wickets. Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh were all disciplined in their first couple of overs - each going for under a run a ball but CSK held the slight edge at 43/0 in 7 overs.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 24-9 Mumbai Indians

Phase II: The Mini-Collapse

Dilhara Fernando led the Mumbai charge with a couple of wickets and kept it tight with just two runs coming off his second and third overs. Mumbai had the momentum and were ahead on points with CSK 68/3 in 12 overs.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 30-45 Mumbai Indians

Phase III: The Raina Show

Suresh Raina made Mumbai pay for their errors in the field; he made the most of his two lives and CSK got 36 runs in overs 15 and 16 combined. That included two straight sixes over long-on and another magnificent one over extra cover courtesy Raina. Chennai were back on top at 127/3 in 16 overs.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 66-31 Mumbai Indians

Phase IV: Chennai finish strong, Mumbai start slow

The Super Kings got 41 in their final four overs to put up a competitive 168 on the board. In reply, Mumbai started by giving up a maiden and then losing a wicket in their second over. Murali and Bollinger were miserly going for just 9 runs in their first four overs combined and Mumbai were in the back seat at 43/1 in 9.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 119-55 Mumbai Indians

Phase V: Sachin fights and then falls

Mumbai mounted a bit of a comeback with Tendulkar at the wicket. Rayudu got going to help add 15 runs in the 14th over and Mumbai had an outside chance with 74 to get in a half dozen overs. And then the Little Master fell, checking his shot at the last minute which led to a Murali Vijay catch in the outfield. Mumbai 101/5 in 15.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 143-79 Mumbai Indians

Phase VI: Pollard cameo too little too late

Common sentiment suggests Kieron Pollard came to the crease a bit too late.

Common sentiment is probably right but in Mumbai’s defense, Pollard is susceptible to spin and they sent him in only after Murali had bowled out. Pollard clubbed 22 off the 18th over to get it down to 33 to win in 12 balls. But it wasn’t enough and Chennai held their nerve to claim a 22-run victory.

Castrol Index Scores: Chennai Super Kings 168-98 Mumbai Indians

The Castrol Index scores indicate Chennai well and truly outclassed Mumbai in the end, and it all started with Suresh Raina’s 35-ball 57 for which he was deservedly adjudged Man of the Match. The yellow jerseys have been the most consistent side across all three editions of the IPL and as Harsha Bhogle says Chennai truly are the Super Kings of the IPL!