Finale fever: Hyderabad All set to host big T20 clash tonight

The biggest T20 night of India is here, and the

cricket

frenzy in Hyderabad, which is hosting the grand finale, is hard to miss. As soon as counters opened on Saturday morning, the tickets for the big clash between Mumbai and Chennai got sold out in no time. It’s going to be a full house, say the stadium staff. Given that the final features two very successful and much-loved teams, (both Team Mumbai and Team Chennai have won the coveted trophy thrice), the anticipation is soaring high ahead of this game. While Chennai has been the most consistent side (they reached eight finals in 10 seasons), Mumbai dominates the head-to-head between the two teams, having won 17 of the 29 matches the two sides have played so far. In this season, Mumbai has beaten Chennai in all the three times that the two sides have played each other so far. Will Rohit Sharma’s men upstage MS Dhoni’s warriors once more? Or will Team Chennai walk away as kings? Hyderabadis, like the rest of India, can’t wait to find out.

Hyderabad Metro Rail to see a surge in passengers
With around 39,000 people expected to turn up to watch the final, Hyderabad Metro Rail officials are expecting a surge in passengers headed towards ‘Stadium’ on the blue line. “We are expecting a minimum of 20,000 metro rail passengers for the IPL final and in light of this we have decided to ply additional trains. We have tightened security and have deployed additional personnel at certain busy stations in order to manage the crowd,” said NVS Reddy, MD, HMRL. While the last metro train is usually at 10:30 pm, the timing will be extended till 12:30 am or till whenever the match and post-match presentation ceremony is concluded.

Security tightened around Uppal Stadium
With a packed stadium expected for tonight’s final, additional security measures have been put in place around the stadium and city cops are on high alert. “Security for the players and support staff has also been beefed up. We will also be strictly monitoring black marketeering at the stadium, and anybody trying to sell tickets will be nabbed,” said Ch R Umamaheswara Sarma, DCP Malkajgiri.

Tickets sold out like hot cakes: HCA
While online tickets for the IPL final were sold out much in advance, ticket counters opened for the public at 8:30 am on Saturday, and were sold out in no time. “The tickets were sold like hot cakes. In less than an hour, all tickets were sold out. We are expecting a full house,” said a HCA official.

‘I have played for Mumbai, so I’ve a soft corner for them’
I won’t be able to watch the match live at the stadium as I’m travelling, but I definitely have my ‘favourite team’ in the finals. I’ve played for Team Mumbai in the past and have won two IPLs and a champion’s league with them, so by default, I’ll root for them.
— Pragyan Ojha, former India cricketer

‘MS Dhoni will always have my unflinching support’
I’ve always been an MS Dhoni fan but that doesn’t necessarily imply that I am a Team Chennai fan as well. MSD is a legend and I don’t like seeing him lose. So, he will always have my unflinching support. I’m really looking forward to watch the game at the stadium tonight.
— Aadarsh Balakrishna, actor and cricket enthusiast

‘This finale is going to be one helluva run fest’
Hyderabad’s wicket has always been a decent one with a good bounce. See, we have two central wickets — one a red soil wicket and the other made of black soil. If they play on the black soil one, it would be a high scoring match. Even the red soil pitch is good for batting, but spinners will get better grip and some bounce on it. I think the final would be a high-scoring match.
—Arshad Ayub, former Indian cricketer

‘I am looking forward to a competitive final’
I will be doing commentary in the final and I’m excited to see how it goes. I feel it’s great to have the final in Hyderabad because I believe our stadium is one of the best in our country. The outfield here is quite fast and the pitch will have something for everyone. It’s an ideal ground to host a final. I am looking forward to a competitive match and I’m sure the crowd wants that as well.
—VVS Laxman, former Indian middle-order batsman