IPL 2015 Final: Win over CSK in Qualifier Gives MI an Edge, Believes Ponting

Mumbai Indians (MI) struggled early in IPL 2015, but has been one of the best teams of late in the competition. They have only lost once in their last nine games and have destroyed big teams en route to the finals.

Hence, it will be no surprise if the MI defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and clinch their second IPL title. But, it is not going to be easy for them to emerge triumphant against one of the most successful IPL teams as they clash for the prestigious IPL 2015 trophy at the Eden Gardens on Sunday evening.

MI coach Ricky Ponting also believes that the team has undergone a "tremendous turnaround".

"We are in the IPL finals. After a really slow start, we have played some really good cricket and we needed to be in order to qualify. It has been a dramatic turnaround after the first six games," Ponting told ESPN Cricinfo during an interview.

After having defeated CSK in the first qualifier to become the first team to seal IPL 2015 finals berth, they have had much more time to rest and might be fresh and a confident unit as they take CSK tonight. MI had completely outplayed CSK in the first qualifier, as their batsmen and bowlers came to the party.

MI skipper Rohit Sharma and company will be keen to come up with a repeat performance at the Eden Gardens.

MS Dhoni's side had defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2 on Friday to seal the finals berth.

CSK have been the best IPL team in the last eight edition under the leadership of Dhoni, who knows what it takes to playing big games. The Jharkhand lad with a cool head on his shoulders will take it as any other final.

Despite a great record, Ponting is not worried about playing CSK in the final. "Our last win was against Chennai. So, we have no worries about playing them. They are a very skilled and well-led team, but we won against them in the 2013 final."

After having being in a superb form in the last nine matches or so, Ponting does not see any reason to change his approach for the final. They have been "nice and aggressive" and will continue to do so when they play the title decider as well.

"My method has been same throughout the tournament and I won't change it in the finals. The last nine games we have played have been finals, as we have had to win pretty much every game. We have lost one along the way but the build up for us has been positive. We have tried to take the game forward and be nice and aggressive."

Irrespective of which team comes on top at the Eden Gardens tonight, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have deserved their spot in the finals after playing solid cricket in the league stages of IPL 2015.