Mumbai Indian and Rising Pune Supergiant clash in the IPL 2017 final tonight. And while it’s the fourth final for two-time champions Mumbai, Supergiant are participating in their first title clash. It is of course a clash between two teams, but it could even boil down to a mouth-watering clash between Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, two veterans of the tournament.
Here are all the numbers you need to know ahead of the final tonight.
7 – This will be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s seventh IPL final appearance, the most by any player. All previous six final appearances have come for Chennai Super Kings. This time he will take the field as a Supergiant player. Also, for the first time, Dhoni will be appearing in an IPL final just as a player and not as a captain.
4 – Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma will be making his 4th IPL final appearance tonight. The Indian cricketer first appeared in an IPL final in 2009 for Deccan Chargers. He has appeared in two finals for Mumbai Indians in 2013 and 2015. He’s won all his finals.
4 – This will be 4th final for two-time champions Mumbai. They have the most final appearances after CSK (6) – appearing in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
4 – Steve Smith could become fourth Australian player to lift the IPL trophy as a skipper of a franchise. Before Smith, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and David Warner have all conquered the cash-rich league.
3 – This will also be Rohit Sharma’s third final as a skipper, second highest in IPL’s history after Dhoni (6).
3 – Supergiant have met Mumbai three times in IPL 10 and have beat them on all occasions. The third victory came in Qualifier 1 which paved the way for Pune’s first IPL final.
3 – Three IPL franchises have won the tournament in their first attempt in the final. Rajasthan Royals (2008), Deccan Chargers (2009) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2012). Supergiant will become the fourth such franchise if Smith lifts the trophy.
6 – Team batting first in the final have clinched the trophy six out of nine times.
170 – Teams batting first have scored 170 runs on an average at the final venue – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad this season. The average second inning score is 154.
5 – Teams batting first have won five out of seven games this IPL at Hyderabad.
Feature Image: BCCI