Delhi Capitals (DC), the youngest IPL team with an average age of 27, will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — the oldest IPL team (average age nearly 34 years) — in Qualifier 2 today. The winner will play Mumbai Indians in the final. CSK have appeared in a record 7 IPL finals till now. DC, and its previous avatar, Daredevils, have never been in a final so far.
The real battle however, is of unequals tonight. In the yellow corner, eyeing their eighth IPL final, are Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have the oldest team in the competition — with the average age of the squad being 33.8. And in the blue corner, hoping to make their first-ever final, are Delhi Capitals (DC) with an average squad age of 26.9 — the youngest in the competition.

Sample this. DC's oldest player Amit Mishra (36 years 167 days) is four years junior to CSK's oldest— Imran Tahir, at 40 years and 44 days. Ditto for their youngest squad members. At 18 years and 280 days, DC's Sandeep Lamichhane is four years younger than CSK's Ruturaj Gaekwad (22 years, 99 days). The age gap theme, in fact, plays out across the squad compositions, runs scored and wickets taken.

CSK boast the experience and guile of many veterans of the international scene. The three-time IPL champions have played with assurance and confidence. DC, on the other hand, have reposed faith in their young guns. . Mostly, though, they have managed to pull it off in spite of their inexperience, thanks to the raw talent at their disposal and today stand on the cusp of making franchise history.

Yes, in youth one runs into difficulties and in old age difficulties run into them. DC have often displayed signs of nervousness in crunch situations — losing the plot from winning positions or letting their grip slip at key moments. Most of the times, though, they have managed to pull it off in spite of their inexperience, thanks to the raw talent at their disposal.

CSK too have been super sluggish throughout the Powerplays and have, more often than not, been bailed out by their captain. It's tantalisingly poised. Age is on whose side today then?

Partha Bhaduri, Judhajit Basu, Akhilesh, Sunil Singh. Data inputs: Rajesh Kumar