"Champion of Champions" Chennai Super Kings

[VinodKumar's]

Pune bowling konjam mokkaiya thaan irruku ... vazhakam pola oru 180 adicha thaan uthappa adikira adiku namma bowlers thaanguvaanga ...

[ajaybaskar]

Super Kings well equipped to handle Tuskers

Kochi: The facile 21-run victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore might have helped Chennai Super Kings to get over their stunning defeat to Kings XI Punjab. But Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s yellow-clad legion would do well to be on their toes when they run into Kochi Tuskers Kerala, who ran amok to shock title-contenders Mumbai Indians in a high-scoring game at the Wankhede last Friday.

Beginning their title defense with a close win against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Super Kings showed the composure of the champion outfit they have been, until they were blown away by the Paul Valthathy tornado at Mohali.

Despite running up an imposing 188, they succumbed to Valthaty’s thunderbolts which have captured the imagination of cricket buffs and infused excitement into the fourth edition of Indian Premier League.

But since that hapless submission to the hitherto scarcely known Valthaty, Super Kings, bolstered by the return of Michael Hussey and Douglas Bollinger, have regained their composure and shown the flair, authority and confidence that had fetched them the IPL and Champions Trophy crowns last season.

The win against RCB on Saturday at Chepauk was clinical though they would have been happier had they romped home by a bigger margin.

Hussey, who notched a match-winning, undefeated 83 (56 balls), has provided muscle to an already distinguished batting line-up. Batting at the top of the order has the given the Australian left-hander ample room to drop anchor and construct and power the innings.

Hussey may have displaced the robust Anirudha Srikkanth at the top of the batting ladder, but it reflects the depth in the Super Kings batting ranks.

The likes of Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Dhoni and Subramaniam Badrinath are batsmen who have adapted well to the T20 format. They are match-winners in their own right.

Like their batting resources, Super Kings have an experienced bowling armory which could contain any opponent, even on flat deck. Albie Morkel, who could use the long handle to destructive effect, and Tim Southee make an intelligent duo with the new ball.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been the most impressive spinner on the Indian cricket circuit in recent times, Suraj Randiv and left-arm tweaker Shadab Jakati have the ability to tie down batsmen in their crease on their day.

No doubt the Super Kings are an enriched side with bubbling, match-winning talent, but the Kochi Tuskers, who lost two successive games before pulling the rug from under Mumbai Indians’ feet, cannot be taken lightly.

The IPL debutants have their own set of match-winners in Brendon McCullum, and skipper Mahela Jayawardene. The awesome twosome rose to the occasion at the Wankhede, posting 128 runs for the opening wicket in under 14 overs. If they perform with the same intensity as they did against Mumbai Indians, the Kochi outfit could run the reigning champions close.

But if McCullum and Jayawaredene perish early, it could possibly be a stroll in the park for Dhoni’s Super Kings. The Tuskers present the weakest batting line-up in this cash-awash cricket extravaganza.

Kochi Tuskers have bowling worries as well. Their bowling has been patchy with none of the frontline bowlers living up to their expectation. Neither their medium fast bowlers nor their spinners have delivered.

The victory against Mumbai Indians may have pumped up their adrenalin, but if Kochi Tuskers are to stop Super Kings in their tracks, they would need their batsmen and bowlers to fire. If they don’t, they could well settle for their third defeat in four matches in their debut season.

Apart from the unexpected defeat against Kings XI Punjab, the Super Kings have won two matches and seem well ensconced to make the title round.

[ajaybaskar]

Although CSK failed to defend 188 against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali in its last match — thanks to Paul Valthaty's blitzkrieg — Fleming said he'd be more than glad to have that score on the board each time his boys went out to bat.

“I'll take 180 every time. If a team scores between 180 and 190 regularly, it will win more matches than it will lose. We have to give credit to Valthaty, he played with a lot of flair. We could have gotten him out earlier had we been sharper on the field. But such fairytales are what the IPL is all about. Although we lost, it (Valthaty's knock) was still a nice story.”

- Stephen Fleming after CSK's loss against KXIP

Nee Manushanya...

[ilayapuyalvinodh_kumar]

Rain Ruining the match !!!

[SoftSword]

csk'na ipdi pala sodhappalgalai thaandi dhaan mela varum...

[Plum]

Rain break and CSK stuck with badri in the middle - badri should sacrifice his wicket now. What csk score with him will not be enough

[kid-glove]

Parthiv Patel'lam adikkuran

[Plum]

Now Jadeja. Kochi outmuscled cSK. A bit easy chasing though. Dhoni wouldn't have sent Badri if he knew it would rain and 3 overs cut. The duckworth adjustment wasn't enough. 145+ should have been the target. Still Kochi would have won but CSK could have salvaged NRR. Anyway, seems like a all-bollywood semis this time. The north indian market has to be conquered. Can't have the rascalas winning again

[littlemaster1982]

What happened to this Jadeja Six thavira edhuvume adikka mattenguraan

[VinodKumar's]

Today his strike rate is 266.66

Intha IPL oda star aagiruvaan pola irruku ... ennaiku venalum adichikatum inniku adichathu sema kadiya irruku