The theme of underdogs shining bright has unfolded in this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well, with Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) a two-year-old franchise, has storming into the final of IPL-10.
Underdogs achieving success always makes for a fascinating story in sport. And, that's been the flavour in India this year.
Just last month, Aizawl FC had a Leicester City-like fairy tale by clinching India's premier domestic football tournament, the I League.
Even as they were playing the title decider, the threat of their relegation – thanks to the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) plan to merge I-League and Indian Super League – loomed large. Yet, it did not stop Aizawl FC from conquering the peak despite the absence of big names in their line-up.
The theme of underdogs shining bright has unfolded in this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well, with Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) a two-year-old franchise, has storming into the final of IPL-10.
And just like Aizawl FC, one might not get to see RPS in next year's edition even if they go on to win the title on Sunday.
Why? Because the RP-Sanjeev Goenka Group-owned RPS was a stop-gap franchise along with Gujarat Lions to replace the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Once the two latter two teams are back next year, the former two will have to make may. And even if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to make IPL-11 a 10-team affair, a fresh bidding will take place.
"No extension is being given to both the teams (RPS and Lions). The agreement was only for two years. Even if we make it a 10-team league, the two new teams would have to be freshly bid," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said earlier this month.
Forget next year's spot, not many gave RPS a chance to do well even in this season.
The team comprised a captain in Australian Steve Smith, the world's best Test batsman and a great leader who doesn't even play T20 cricket regularly for his country. A former India captain and wicketkeeper-batsman past his prime, MS Dhoni. A Rs 14-crore buy in beefy English all-rounder Ben Stokes who was playing his first IPL and an unsold South African leggie, Imran Tahir, who replaced an injured match-winner in Ravichandran Ashwin.
Their Indians included an out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane, a fringe player in Manoj Tiwary and two non-starry fast bowlers in Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur.
Not quite your Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders or Royal Challengers Bangalore, isn't it?
Why, there were signs of confusion before the season itself. Rising Pune Supergiants were renamed Rising Pune Supergiant, the 's' taken out due to numerological reasons.
The RPS management also changed the leadership, sacking Dhoni for Smith and receiving brickbats from emotional Indian fans.
On field or off field, RPS seemed a recipe of disaster.
Their season started on a positive note, though, with a win over the fancied MI at Pune's home ground thanks to a captain's knock from Smith.
However, the sweet taste of victory was soured by a harsh comment from the owner's brother, Harsh Goenka.
"#RPSvsMI Smith proves who's the king of the jungle. Overshadows Dhoni totally. Captains innings. Great move to appoint him as captain," Harsh tweeted, and a round of trolling followed.
But the negativity stopped there. A few hiccups here and there in the league stage before some exhilarating individual and team performances saw RPS make the Play-offs and end No. 2 in the points table.
Even then, most expected MI to brush them aside in the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede earlier this week. Instead, RPS came out as a well-oiled unit not caring about perceptions, and some explosive batting from Dhoni followed by a sensation spell from offie Washington Sundar saw them thump the hosts and make the title round.
Whether RPS win the IPL trophy or not, one thing's for sure: another underdog has punched above its weight, touching the hearts of fans.
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