IPL 2018 has finally reached its climax as two-time champions Chennai and Hyderabad will face-off in the summit clash of the 11th season of the cash-rich league at the Wankhede stadium today.

Hours before the final clash begins, Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that the age factor was definitely a concern for the team.

"The age-group of the boys was definitely a concern, you had to keep them fit. We had to take care of the resources and to make sure that when we come to the business end of the tournament, the best 11 is available for selection," Dhoni said.

While interacting with the media persons, Dhoni also justified his decision to often under-bowl veteran spinner Harbhajan in the tournament.

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What goes into <a href="https://twitter.com/msdhoni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@msdhoni</a> mind before he chooses a particular bowler? The <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChennaiIPL</a> captain offers a very interesting analogy?. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VIVOIPL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VIVOIPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Final?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Final</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSKvSRH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSKvSRH</a> <a href="https://t.co/XEIEDdBEtH">pic.twitter.com/XEIEDdBEtH</a>
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1000401323009830917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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But the answer was not plain, it was equivalent to his 'match-winning' six.&nbsp;

"I have a lot of cars and bikes in my house. I don't ride all at a time. A lot of times, especially when you have six to seven bowlers in the side, you want to see the conditions, you want to see who is batting and what is needed at that point of time." Dhoni said.

"I see what is in best interest of the team," he added.&nbsp;

Harbhajan has played 13 matches out of the total 15 played by CSK and picked up seven wickets at an economy of 8.48.

Chennai will clash with Hyderabad at the Wankhede stadium today

IPL 2018 has finally reached its climax as two-time champions Chennai and Hyderabad will face-off in the summit clash of the 11th season of the cash-rich league at the Wankhede stadium today. Hours before the final clash begins, Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that the age factor was definitely a concern for the team. "The age-group of the boys was definitely a concern, you had to keep them fit. We had to take care of the resources and to make sure that when we come to the business end of the tournament, the best 11 is available for selection," Dhoni said. While interacting with the media persons, Dhoni also justified his decision to often under-bowl veteran spinner Harbhajan in the tournament. What goes into @msdhoni mind before he chooses a particular bowler? The @ChennaiIPL captain offers a very interesting analogy?. #VIVOIPL #Final #CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/XEIEDdBEtH — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2018 × But the answer was not plain, it was equivalent to his 'match-winning' six. "I have a lot of cars and bikes in my house. I don't ride all at a time. A lot of times, especially when you have six to seven bowlers in the side, you want to see the conditions, you want to see who is batting and what is needed at that point of time." Dhoni said. "I see what is in best interest of the team," he added. Harbhajan has played 13 matches out of the total 15 played by CSK and picked up seven wickets at an economy of 8.48.

Watch: Why Dhoni barely used Harbhajan Singh in IPL 2018

Mumbai Indians were crowned the new IPL champions following their thrilling one-run win over Rising Pune Supergiant in the summit clash here tonight.

Rohit Sharma opted to bat after winning the toss but Mumbai batsmen failed to deliver while the Supergiant bowlers came out firing on all cylinders.

Krunal Pandya top-scored with a crucial 47-run knock while skipper Rohit contributed 24 runs to help Mumbai post 128 for eight. Jaydev Unadkat (2/19) and Adam Zampa (2/32) shared four wickets between them for Pune Supergiant.

Mumbai Indians surprisingly managed to defend the low total to capture their third IPL trophy with Pune Supergiant falling agonisingly short by one run.

Supergiant could manage 128 for six in 20 overs with Mitchell Johnson taking two wickets in the final over, in which Supergiant needed 11 runs.

Skipper Steve Smith scored 51 runs while Ajinkya Rahane came up with a 44-run knock in Pune chase.

Brief Scores:

Mumbai Indians: 129 for 8 in 20 overs. (Krunal Pandya 47, Rohit Shrama 24; J Unadkat 2/19) 
Rising Pune Supergiant: 128 for 6 in 20 overs.

(PTI)

Rohit Sharma opted to bat after winning the toss but Mumbai batsmen failed to deliver while the Supergiant bowlers came out firing on all cylinders

Mumbai Indians were crowned the new IPL champions following their thrilling one-run win over Rising Pune Supergiant in the summit clash here tonight. Rohit Sharma opted to bat after winning the toss but Mumbai batsmen failed to deliver while the Supergiant bowlers came out firing on all cylinders. Krunal Pandya top-scored with a crucial 47-run knock while skipper Rohit contributed 24 runs to help Mumbai post 128 for eight. Jaydev Unadkat (2/19) and Adam Zampa (2/32) shared four wickets between them for Pune Supergiant. Mumbai Indians surprisingly managed to defend the low total to capture their third IPL trophy with Pune Supergiant falling agonisingly short by one run. Supergiant could manage 128 for six in 20 overs with Mitchell Johnson taking two wickets in the final over, in which Supergiant needed 11 runs. Skipper Steve Smith scored 51 runs while Ajinkya Rahane came up with a 44-run knock in Pune chase. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians: 129 for 8 in 20 overs. (Krunal Pandya 47, Rohit Shrama 24; J Unadkat 2/19) Rising Pune Supergiant: 128 for 6 in 20 overs. (PTI)

IPL final: Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Supergiant by one run

MS Dhoni and Washington Sundar made match-winning contributions as Rising Pune Supergiant slayed Mumbai Indians by 20 runs to reach their maiden Indian Premier League final here today.

Dhoni was at his destructive best, smashing 40 off 26 balls in the death overs to propel Pune to 162 for four before young off-spinner Sundar took three important wickets that led to Mumbai falling short with 142 for nine in Qualifier 1.

It was Pune&#39;s third win over Mumbai in as many games this season, providing them with an opportunity to win the coveted trophy in only their second season.

Mumbai, who had topped the group stages, remain in the competition and will meet the winner of tomorrow&#39;s Eliminator, between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Qualifier 2 on Friday.

With the pitch playing unusually slow, anything over 150 was a tricky target despite Mumbai batting deep.

Sundar sent back opposition skipper Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard in a space of 12 balls to leave Mumbai gasping at 51 for four in eight overs.

Parthiv Patel (52 off 40) was solid at the other end and even used the long handle effectively to smash three sixes on the on side.

He eventually ran out of partners with Pandya brothers too back in the pavilion leaving Mumbai at 101 for six in the 15th over. Patel too fell three balls later, leaving the tail- enders to do too much in the end with 60 runs needed off the last 30 balls.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians put up a decent bowling effort until Dhoni hit a barrage of sixes to help Pune post a fighting total.

Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 43) and Manoj Tiwary (58 off 48) revived Pune&#39;s innings following a bad start before Dhoni finished the innings on a high note, hammering 40 off 26 balls including five sixes.

Mumbai leaked 41 runs in the last two overs bowled by Mitchel McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah, who went for 26 and 15 respectively.

Put in to bat, Pune found themselves under severe pressure after losing opener Rahul Tripathi and captain Steven Smith inside the first two overs.

A sharp and full inswinger from McClenaghan ripped through Tripathi&#39;s defense while Smith played a loose shot off Lasith Malinga, a mistimed flick that went really high before the ball settled in the safe hands of Hardik.

Rahane and Tiwary were now in the middle to resurrect the innings.

Rahane, who did not score big in the league stage, was determined to make an impact on the big stage.

A couple of boundaries off McClenaghan got him going, the second being a delightful cover drive.

Both Rahane and Tiwary kept the scoreboard ticking but were unable to clear the fence regularly.

Rahane eventually completed his fifty off 39 balls while Tiwary was on 30 off 29 balls when Pune reached 83 for two in 12 overs. To make the situation tougher for Mumbai, Rahane was adjudged leg before off Karn Sharma in the following over.

The visitors now needed the big hits badly to post a fighting total.

Dhoni walked in to join Tiwary and did not take long to hit his first six, depositing a half-volley off Karn Sharma over deep midwicket.

Karn, who was picked ahead of Harbhajan Singh for the crucial game, ended up with decent figures of 4 for 30 in four overs.

Pune got the much needed push in the last two overs courtesy a Dhoni special.

Tiwary too gave him good support during their 73-run stand off 44 balls, scoring four boundaries and two sixes in total.

(PTI)

MS Dhoni and Washington Sundar made match-winning contributions as Rising Pune Supergiant slayed Mumbai Indians by 20 runs

MS Dhoni and Washington Sundar made match-winning contributions as Rising Pune Supergiant slayed Mumbai Indians by 20 runs to reach their maiden Indian Premier League final here today. Dhoni was at his destructive best, smashing 40 off 26 balls in the death overs to propel Pune to 162 for four before young off-spinner Sundar took three important wickets that led to Mumbai falling short with 142 for nine in Qualifier 1. It was Pune's third win over Mumbai in as many games this season, providing them with an opportunity to win the coveted trophy in only their second season. Mumbai, who had topped the group stages, remain in the competition and will meet the winner of tomorrow's Eliminator, between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Qualifier 2 on Friday. With the pitch playing unusually slow, anything over 150 was a tricky target despite Mumbai batting deep. Sundar sent back opposition skipper Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard in a space of 12 balls to leave Mumbai gasping at 51 for four in eight overs. Parthiv Patel (52 off 40) was solid at the other end and even used the long handle effectively to smash three sixes on the on side. He eventually ran out of partners with Pandya brothers too back in the pavilion leaving Mumbai at 101 for six in the 15th over. Patel too fell three balls later, leaving the tail- enders to do too much in the end with 60 runs needed off the last 30 balls. Earlier, Mumbai Indians put up a decent bowling effort until Dhoni hit a barrage of sixes to help Pune post a fighting total. Ajinkya Rahane (56 off 43) and Manoj Tiwary (58 off 48) revived Pune's innings following a bad start before Dhoni finished the innings on a high note, hammering 40 off 26 balls including five sixes. Mumbai leaked 41 runs in the last two overs bowled by Mitchel McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah, who went for 26 and 15 respectively. Put in to bat, Pune found themselves under severe pressure after losing opener Rahul Tripathi and captain Steven Smith inside the first two overs. A sharp and full inswinger from McClenaghan ripped through Tripathi's defense while Smith played a loose shot off Lasith Malinga, a mistimed flick that went really high before the ball settled in the safe hands of Hardik. Rahane and Tiwary were now in the middle to resurrect the innings. Rahane, who did not score big in the league stage, was determined to make an impact on the big stage. A couple of boundaries off McClenaghan got him going, the second being a delightful cover drive. Both Rahane and Tiwary kept the scoreboard ticking but were unable to clear the fence regularly. Rahane eventually completed his fifty off 39 balls while Tiwary was on 30 off 29 balls when Pune reached 83 for two in 12 overs. To make the situation tougher for Mumbai, Rahane was adjudged leg before off Karn Sharma in the following over. The visitors now needed the big hits badly to post a fighting total. Dhoni walked in to join Tiwary and did not take long to hit his first six, depositing a half-volley off Karn Sharma over deep midwicket. Karn, who was picked ahead of Harbhajan Singh for the crucial game, ended up with decent figures of 4 for 30 in four overs. Pune got the much needed push in the last two overs courtesy a Dhoni special. Tiwary too gave him good support during their 73-run stand off 44 balls, scoring four boundaries and two sixes in total. (PTI)

Supergiant slay Mumbai Indians to enter maiden IPL final

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Watch: Why Dhoni barely used Harbhajan Singh in IPL 2018

IPL final: Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Supergiant by one run

Supergiant slay Mumbai Indians to enter maiden IPL final