IPL 2018 Final: Four exciting milestones to watch out for in the high-voltage clash

Well, after 50 days and 59 exciting matches here it is - the final of the 2018 Indian Premier League. The two-time winners Chennai Super Kings take on the 2016 champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad in the much-anticipated final at the iconic Wankhede stadium on May 27, Sunday. This will be a record seventh IPL final appearance for Chennai in contrast to Hyderabad's second final in three seasons.

The teams finished first and second in the standings after the league stages, with nine wins apiece. So, expect fireworks when 'Captain Cool' MS Dhoni's Chennai take on 'Captain Calm' Kane Williamson in Mumbai. Let us now look at some of the interesting records that might be broken on Sunday.

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Kane Williamson might become first ever Kiwi player to win IPL title as captain

Kane Williamson

Due to the suspension of the Australian batsman and regular skipper David Warner, the Sunrisers Hyderabad appointed the New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson as their skipper for the 2018 IPL. He had to fill the void left by Warner, who won the Orange Cap for the most runs in a season twice in three years (2015 and 2017) and also led the Sunrisers to an emphatic win in the 2016 IPL. But Williamson has done a tremendous job for the SRH this season, both with the bat and as a captain.

The 2018 IPL has turned out to be a 'dream season' for Williamson, who is currently leading the batting charts with 688 runs in 16 innings, which includes a staggering eight half-centuries. The Kiwi batsman has amassed a staggering 59 fours and 26 sixes at a strike-rate of 143.33. Under Williamson, the Sunrisers Hyderabad finished on top of the 2018 IPL standings with 18 points (nine wins out of fourteen matches) after the league stages. The SRH bowlers did a fantastic job in their side's unforgettable journey to the final.

After losing to the Chennai Super Kings in the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium, the Orange Army registered a thrilling 14-run win in the Qualifier 2 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in front of a packed Eden Gardens. This ensured their spot in the finals to be played on May 27 against MS Dhoni's Yellow brigade at Mumbai. If Williamson guides the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the title on Sunday, he could become the first ever New Zealand player to win the IPL title as a captain. So far, only the Indian (Dhoni, Rohit and Gambhir) and Australian players (Warne, Gilchrist and Warner) have won the title as captains.

Ambati Rayudu needs five more sixes to bag the 'Most number of sixes' award

Ambati Rayudu

The former Mumbai Indians player was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 2.2 crore at the 2018 auctions. With a batting line-up comprising Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson, not many expected Rayudu to cement his spot in the star-studded Chennai eleven before the start of the season. But he has silenced his critics with a dominating show for the Chennai Super Kings throughout the eleventh edition of the IPL.

Rayudu has been the backbone of CSK's batting line-up this season, with his consistent contributions at the top with the bat. In fifteen matches this season, Rayudu has scored 586 runs for Chennai at a strike-rate of 153.00, with his highest score being 100* against the table-toppers, Sunrisers Hyderabad at Pune.

With 33 sixes in 15 innings, Rayudu is second in the list for the 'Most number of sixes' this season - four short of the Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper batsman, Rishabh Pant. All he needs to do is to hit five towering sixes in the big final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at his favorite Wankhede Stadium so that he can top the list and bag the award on Sunday night.

Rashid Khan and Siddarth Kaul need three more wickets to win the Purple Cap

Rashid Khan and Siddarth Kaul

The Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers have been top notch this season, defending even the most modest of totals. Their bowlers have done a tremendous job on almost every match-day. The fact that two of their bowlers (Siddarth Kaul and Rashid Khan) are in the top three in the list of highest wicket-takers is a perfect example of their dominant bowling display. Rashid was in red-hot form in both the Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2, finishing with figures of 2/11 and 3/19 respectively.

With 21 wickets, he is just three short of Kings XI Punjab's Andrew Tye for most wickets this season. If the Afghan star continues his great run in the finals, then he might fancy his chances of winning the Purple cap. He might also become only the second ever spinner to achieve this feat after Pragyan Ojha (Deccan Chargers in 2010).

Also in the race is the promising Indian pacer, Siddarth Kaul. He took four wickets in the last two games (Qualifier-1 and 2) and is also three short of Tye's 24 wickets. So, if he continues his dream run then he might be rewarded for his hard work with a Purple Cap.

MS Dhoni might equal Rohit Sharma's record for the Most number of IPL titles as a captain

MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma

If Suresh Raina is Mr.IPL, then MS Dhoni is undoubtedly the 'Master of IPL'. Having captained the Chennai Super Kings for a record nine seasons (2008-2015, 2018) and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant once (2016), Dhoni is the longest serving skipper in IPL history. He became the first ever Indian player to lead his side to the IPL title when he helped Chennai lift the crown in 2010. The following season, the Super Kings defeated the Royal Challengers in the final at home in Chepauk under 'Captain Cool'.

In the process, he became the first ever skipper to successfully defend the crown. The most expensive player of the inaugural edition has been in sublime touch for Chennai this season with 455 runs in 15 matches at a strike-rate of 150.66. He led the Chennai Super Kings to a record seventh IPL final in nine IPL appearances. The Super Kings will encounter the table-toppers, Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals on May 27 at the Wankhede stadium.

If the Men in yellow manage to win this high-voltage clash, then MS Dhoni can equal 'Hitman' Rohit Sharma's (2013, 2015 and 2017) record for most number of IPL titles as captain (three titles).