CSK looks to end on a high

What is more, a team that became the object of some harsh and, in hindsight, uncalled-for ridicule after the auction has confounded all its critics with its dash to the final for a record seventh time in nine editions. Even when everything looked lost and from the most hopeless of scenarios on quite a few occasions this season, CSK found someone who put both his hands up to guide it past the finishing line.

A team that was written off a tad too prematurely for picking players who were seemingly well past their prime, has astounded one and all with its near-invincible run in this year’s edition that has allowed it to finish second in the league table.

The team is banking on experience as it boasts of four out of the top seven players in its ranks who have made most appearances in the IPL playoffs.

The duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu have featured in 14 games in IPL playoffs while Suresh Raina and skipper MS Dhoni have made 19 most appearances in the matches in the business end of the league.

The Super Kings’ progression to Sunday's final in Mumbai is even more impressive considering it was suspended for two seasons before returning for this edition. The franchise, which was keen on retaining the core of its previous squads in January's auction, fielded seven players over 30 against Hyderabad in the Qualifier.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo celebrated the victory with a dance in the dressing room. A video of the same was posted on Twitter by Chennai Super Kings, in which Bravo and Harbhajan Singh are seen dancing in front of skipper Dhoni. "Always happy when we win. Being in the top two gives you that liberty to have one more game."

However, if there is one record that CSK wouldn’t be proud of, it is that of the six finals it has competed in so far, it has won two and lost four, with the last of its title triumph dating back to 2011. After having done all the hard work in reaching the summit clash, CSK would want to end its dream run with a fairytale finish.