Despite their struggles in the 2022 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are the two most successful franchises in the history of the IPL. They have met in the final itself on four occasions. The first of these was in 2010, when the competition returned to India after its one-year sojourn on South African soil.
It was a first final for Mumbai, while Chennai had finished runners-up to the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season two years earlier.
Mumbai had topped the regular season table, while Chennai had finished third. The teams, thus, avoided each other in the semi-finals. Mumbai beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs, whilst Chennai defeated defending champions Deccan Chargers by 38 runs.
The final was held at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on 25 April.
Chennai won the toss and chose to bat. M. Vijay and Matthew Hayden gave them a reasonable start, putting on 44 for the first wicket, although, on a slow pitch, the scoring rate was relatively modest. However, it was Suresh Raina who really gave the innings impetus, making an unbeaten 57 off 35 balls, including three sixes. He found support from captain M.S. Dhoni, who made a quick cameo of 22. Their combined efforts help Chennai post 168/5.
Mumbai lost Shikhar Dhawan to the second ball. A stand of 66 for the second wicket between captain Sachin Tendulkar and Abhishek Nayar briefly offered them hope, but, with the asking rate edging up, risks began to be taken and wickets began to fall.
By the time that Tendulkar was dismissed for 48, the asking rate was close to ten an over, and the pressure proved too much in the end.
Mumbai stumbled to 146/9 from their allotted overs as the Chennai bowlers sharing the wickets amongst them, while three run outs hardly helped Mumbai's cause.
CSK had won their maiden IPL title by 22 runs, and Raina was named Player of the Match. Tendulkar at least had the consolation of being named Player of the Tournament.