After a breathtaking 59 matches in the 12th edition of Indian Premier League, two of the most popular teams, Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face each other in the final at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Both the teams won the title three times each. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings three times this season. However, their rivalry is too much popular than any other teams. However, former CSK player Matthew Hayden has picked up Chennai as the favourite to win this season and he also believed that Chennai are able to defend the title this year.

While talking to Sportstar, Hayden shared that in the final it’s all about nerves and nothing else, even numbers don’t matter as well.

“CSK (will win). Numbers don’t really matter in a final. Neither (team) has played their best cricket this time. In the last couple of games some of Mumbai Indian players like Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma have started to come into form. So, both sides have got their vulnerabilities,” he said.

Matthew Hayden also said that Chennai earlier missed MS Dhoni in one of their game against Mumbai which led them to defeat. Even they lost in the first qualifier as well. Luckily they won the knockout game against the Delhi Capitals.

“The last three contests have been one-sided towards Mumbai Indians. CSK are a different side to what they have played in the three games (against MI) for different reasons. MS Dhoni was missing which was enormous for CSK and they had a bad night in the first qualifier. That can happen in any tournament. But in the second qualifier, CSK got the balance spot on, especially at the top of the order,” he further added.