IPL: 5 Players with most final appearances

Ravichandran Ashwin (5 appearances for CSK)

Keeping up with his habit of tossing something new each ball, Ashwin even bowled leg spin with considerable success this season

His IPL debut is one of the less remarkable stories out there as he did not bowl and neither did he get to bat, but since then R Ashwin has evolved into a cricketer who not only relies on skill and grit, but out-thinks the opponent as well. Remember when he flummoxed Chris Gayle in the 2010 final to effectively end RCB's chase right when it had begun?

Ashwin's innovative approach to the game has allowed him to stay on the T20 scenario for so long as a finger spinner and never for a sustained period did he let batsmen get the better of him. Picking the carrom ball from Ajantha Mendis, he translated its use into more than just sporadic displays of brilliance and over the years made sure that his side always had four safe overs to bank on. He also has a knack for playing cameos with the bat and picking wickets even with the new ball, in the format that virtually rendered finger spinners ineffectual.

Performance in finals:

Played: 5

Won: 2

Wickets: 4

Average: 31

Economy rate: 7.29