Finally, we’ve reached the end of the wait – in two aspects – firstly, this is the concluding article of the series of Previews. Secondly, the Champions League kicks off later today! Now, this is what I call a double whammy! Anyway, back to business. The Chennai Super Kings. Led by the talismatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they’re into this Champions League as they are the defending IPL Champs. And boy, what a way to reach the finals and win.
Yes, till the latter stages of the qualifying round, the Super Kings were looking nothing but ordinary. Dhoni injured, Raina captaining, Hayden disappointing – it was truly looking like endgame for the men in yellow. But, things began to change as the local boys Murali Vijay and Ravichandran Ashwin took control of things and sparked a revival.
Bollinger’s arrival strengthened the bowling and Dhoni stood up and delivered when it mattered the most. And in the final against Mumbai, the entire team contributed in one way or the other and returned home Champions of India!
The team’s batting is pretty balanced. Hayden, Vijay opening, Raina solid at one down and Badri and MSD to follow. Hussey is also available and it’ll be up to the team management to try and give him a slot.
The bowling also is well equipped – Doug, Balaji, Ashwin, the genial Murali, Jakati are all tried and tested players who’ve delivered time and again. Albie and Kemp as pinch hitting medium pace bowling all-rounders are also invaluable to the team’s composition.
So, in a way, MSD and team are my favorites to win ACLT20 too for the simple reason that they’ve already showed us that they can stay as one unit even when the chips are down and come out firing.
2 Comments:
"800" as jersey number is a stupid idea.
I like this pop-up comment form. The 3 of you must post more and now that CLt20 is going on, you have something to write about.
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Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted but to weigh and consider.
- Francis Bacon