One of the most loved and scrutinised cricketers to have ever been born in India - Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the perfect story for every small town boy/girl who wants to make it big in life. Hailing from the cricketing backwaters - Jharkhand, Dhoni is unarguably the second most popular player in the cricket frenzy nation after 'God' Sachin Tendulkar. Going by the statistics, Dhoni is India's most successful captain and under his leadership, India have won the top prize in all formats of the gentlemen's game - the inaugural World Twenty20 on his captaincy debut in 2007, No.1 Test ranking for 18 months starting December 2009, and the 50-over World Cup in 2011 in Mumbai. He is also the first captain in the world to win three different ICC trophies. Dhoni also led India to a memorable 2013 Champions Trophy triumph in England. During his now more than 14-years long international career, Dhoni has played an integral part in many of India's famous victories. For his impressive match-winning skills, the veteran batsman has also been christened with the tag of 'one of the best finishers in the sport', especially in the limited-overs format. However, with age catching up - Dhoni's batting abilities are on the wane but his electric reflexes and impeccable instincts behind the stumps still make him an indispensable asset to Team India. With the countdown of the 2019 ICC World Cup already started, India still needs the services of one of its biggest stalwarts who is responsible for taking the team to insurmountable heights.
Read MoreAs the two teams get ready for the final, we take a look at a few key battles which could prove crucial and will decide the result of the match.
While Dhoni's CSK have young pacers like Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, who have performed exceptionally well, others young seamers like Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna too made a mark in the eleventh edition of IPL.
Chennai Super Kings, gunning for their third IPL crown, will take on 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad five days after their first playoff game at the same neutral venue.
The report further goes on to claim that BCCI's decision to let Indian cricketers take part in the 100-ball tournament would pave way for negotiations around an IPL franchise in London.
Du Plessis' 67 off 42 balls enabled CSK to chase down a tricky target of 140 in 19.1 overs after being down at 92 for 7.
Du Plessis (67 off 42 balls) engineered a stunning comeback and fittingly finished the match with a straight six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
With age not by his side, the charismatic leader has admitted that his journey with Chennai Super Kings and IPL might be nearing its end.
CSK are undisputedly the most balanced side of the tournament, with Dhoni coming back to his destructive form like good old days.
As Chennai reached the IPL playoffs for the ninth time, Dhoni too entered the record books as he became the most successful wicket-keeper in T20 cricket.
With joyful celebrations around after the win, young Ziva was seen on field with Dhoni, having some fun after the post-match awards show. Take a look.
Pacer Lungi Ngidi conceded only 10 runs and took four wickets before Suresh Raina hit a measured 61 as Chennai Super Kings eliminated Kings XI Punjab from the IPL with a five-wicket win, a result which sealed Rajasthan Royals' place in the playoffs in Pune.
Live Score, CSK vs KXIP, IPL 2018, Match 56: Watch VIVO IPL 2018 Cricket Score Live Updates from Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune Cricket Match Live on Hotstar, Reliance Jio airtel tv, India TV Sports.
However, the ace shuttler received the signed bat via the courtesy of BCCI selection committee chairman MSK Prasad.
CSK all-rounder Bravo bled 26 runs in the 20th over which enabled the hosts to post 162 for five on a slow wicket of Feroz Shah Kotla.
Punjab had started the season with a string of wins before going off the boil and are currently placed at the seventh position with 12 points, but still have a slender chance of making it to the play-off.
Leg-spinners Amit Mishra (2/20), Trent Boult (2/20) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/21) starred for the hosts Delhi in an impressive bowling effort that restricted Chennai to 128/6 in 20 overs.
MS Dhoni has opened up about Virat Kohli as captain and the former skipper has nothing but praise for the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain.
Delhi Daredevils restored some pride with an upset 34-run win over the formidable Chennai Super Kings in a dead rubber of the Indian Premier League at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on Friday.
With CSK comfortably qualifying for the playoffs, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led squad is eyeing the top spot on the points table alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad, whom they defeated comprehensively in their previous game.
Suresh Raina, who has scored 233 runs in 11 matches with a highest knock of 75 (not out) this season, believes old warhorses such as Harbhajan Singh and Shane Watson have been vital for CSK.
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