After an exhilarating two months of cricketing action involving 10 teams, the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is reaching its grand finale. The Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings, undoubtedly the two most consistent teams, have earned their place in the summit clash.
Led by Hardik Pandya, the defending champions, the Titans, are determined to secure their title defense, while the MS Dhoni-led Super Kings aim to claim their fifth tournament victory.
Amidst the anticipation, a burning question arises: what’s the better strategy in such a crucial game – defending or chasing? Opinions differ, with some favoring a posted target, while others believe chasing offers an advantage.
To shed light on the historical trend, let’s explore the statistics of previous IPL finals. Out of the 15 finals played so far, teams have won the game while chasing only six times, while defending a total has proven successful on nine occasions.
Now, focusing on tonight’s contenders, the Super Kings have appeared in nine finals, winning four of them. Interestingly, three of their victories came while defending a target, and one occurred during a chase.
On the other hand, the Titans have played only one final, triumphing in a chase against the Rajasthan Royals. In that game, Hardik Pandya, although losing the toss, expressed his preference for chasing in the grand finale. Notably, even in the two playoff matches this season, the Titans showed a preference for chasing, indicating they might opt for the same strategy tonight.
Setting the trend aside, tonight’s final promises to be an enthralling encounter between two similar yet distinctive teams. Regardless of the toss outcome, both sides understand that the cricket they play will ultimately determine the winner.
