New Delhi: Get the beers chilled, place your loyalties on your favourite team and shout your heroes' name till you lose voice, because Saturday, 28th May offers a sporting spectacle unlike no other for the Indian sports enthusiast.
High pressure and high drama will grip the masses all across the country, so pick your poison as the two most gripping sporting events in the calendar take place back to back!
On one side, the Indian Premier League 2011 reaches its climax as Chennai's inimitable home record will be at stake against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have have hit an all new high since the introduction of West Indian Chris Gayle in the line-up.
The opener has struck fear in many a bowler hitting as many 608 runs playing almost half as many matches as his other Orange Cap contenders.
Chennai Super Kings on the other hand will be looking to repeat history under Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
With key performers hitting top form at crucial times and clinical finishing accompanied with economic bowling, Chennai have it all going for them and it is hard to imagine the Super Kings not becoming the first team to win the IPL crown twice.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be leading the Men in Yellow for the second consecutive time to the IPL finals, and if the owners of the Chennai Super Kings ever wanted a man for the moment, he is it.
Dhoni has been in the eye of the storm on numerous occasions, be it at the helm of affairs when he took an untested eleven for the inaugural T20 World Cup or be it the final of the most prestigious cricketing prize the ICC world Cup 2011, MSD has shown unerring focus among chaos.
And this is where the Royal Challengers Bangalore might be a bit handicapped.
There has been no doubting Vettori's credentials as a captain, but what his CV lacks is a high-profile appearance, a pressure-cooker final situation that he yet to be exposed to.
But with talented performers like Virat Kohli, Zaheer Khan and AB de Villiers, it could be a moment of brilliance from one of these stars that could alter RCB's course.
This is where the Super Kings might hold a slight upper hand but expect the top performers to pull out all stops and turn their gamefaces on as the grueling 73-match tournament finally reaches the last lap.
While all TV sets will be filled with yellow and gold, and one team will lift the IPL trophy with jubilation.
But calling it a day after the IPL final would just be sheer stupidity.
Because what follows is the greatest final of a decade as described by many a football pundit, what follows is the last step to the ladder of European football supremacy, what follows is the final of the UEFA Champions League 2011.
And who better to grip the imagination of audiences all around the world then arguably the two most famous clubs in football history!
Manchester United and Barcelona will lock horns at the spiritual home of English football, the New Wembley to ironically attain the same goal, four European Championships.
The Catalans have been imperious all throughout the season in all formats and competitions beating teams like an everyday chore and scoring goals at will.
While Manchester United have been a shadow of their ruthless and dominating self, ebbing and flowing all season long despite wrapping up an unprecedented 19th domestic title.
What works for the Red Devils is the fact they have peaked at the right time and with them they have a manager who could single-handedly through his players unlock the mystery of Barcelona's defeat.
Both managers have been wise enough to dispel pressure off their teams by hailing their opponents as better sides, yet another chapter from the mindgame manual!
While Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called this the 'final of the decade', Barca coach Pep Guardiola has rubbished claims of Barca's outright supremacy and is vary of the completeness of the current Manchester United side.
While both teams have faced each other in 2009 at the same stage for the same prize in Rome, with Barcelona outclassing their English rivals, the acceptance from both camps that their clubs have come quite a long way from the 2009 clash is clear and present.
It is a clash of the icons, the battle of the stars, when two sporting cultures offer you a day like no other, you cannot help but thin of the superstars in action and you cannot stop drooling.
Talk about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lionel Messi, Chris Gayle, Wayne Rooney, Zaheer Khan, David Villa, Ab de Villiers, Andres Iniesta, Virat Kohli and Xavi Hernandez. The list goes on and on and you think to yourself, that tonight's going to be a good night!
There might have been lots of instances when you might have prayed to the almighty that he could help you teleport from one place or the other, but if there ever was a perfect time to ask for this wish, now would be it.
Even if not that, an extra pair of eyes would suffice, just to make sure that they do not give up to that primary need which might look so tertiary tonight, sleep.
With the final of the Indian Premier League 2011 scheduled to begin at 8pm and the Champions League final to follow at midnight going into the wee hours of morning, doesn't the thought of a Sunday sound oh so beautiful?
And rest assured whether you sleep voluntarily or involuntarily, expect a smile on your face because the disappointment of the loss your favourite IPL club might just be wiped away by the success your favourite football club achieves!
And as always,
May the best team win!
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