CHENNAI: Two-time defending champion Chennai Super Kings will start as the overwhelming favourite in the Indian Premier League final against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday following two dominating performances in the playoffs that saw them seal a place in the final for the fourth time in five years.
Chennai packed off star-studded Mumbai Indians in the “Eliminator” - the equivalent of a quarterfinal - after just about scraping through to the four-team playoff. It then ran up the season’s highest total of 222-5 on Saturday to bat league topper Delhi Daredevils out of the contest in the second “Qualifier.”
Opener Murali Vijay hit 113 from 58 balls to help Chennai win by a huge margin of 86 runs at the Chidambaram Stadium.
