The second chance to qualify for the IPL 2015 final, in the event of an adverse result in the first Qualifier, gives Chennai Super Kings a reassuring feeling going into Tuesday knockout game at the Wankhede stadium. CSK can lose; yet live to fight another battle for a crack at title.
Having topped the league this season, the team can be credited with a little more understanding of delivering in big-match situations, than the other seven teams put together. This knack of spreading responsibility among a group of players, giving each individual his breathing space and arming him with confidence to perform, makes the men in yellow stand out from other squads.
CSK’s last three league wins produced three different match-winners (Pawan Negi against Kings XI Punjab, Ravindra Jadeja vs Rajasthan Royals, Suresh Raina vs Royal Challengers Bangalore respectively). Two defeats in between (to Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians) did not dent the side’s intensity to bounce back in the next game, notching maximum nine wins in 14 matches.
With M.S. Dhoni taking decisions as captain, Stephen Fleming supplying inputs as quiet manager, CSK has firmly believed in building a settled combination, but has been alert to the possibilities of the surprise tactic. Left-arm spinner Pawan Negi was handed the new ball with field restrictions on, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was tasked with keeping batsmen in check during the death overs.
Off-spinner R. Ashwin, with a reputation for neutralising in-form batsmen with accuracy and subtle variations in pressure situations, has been under-bowled this time in the IPL from the time Negi and Jadeja turned wicket-takers.
Left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra’s ability to choke the run- flow in the closing overs has not been utilised due to Bravo’s cool head in that phase.
The finesse and fury of Dhoni the finisher has not come through so far; may be it is Mumbai Indians bowlers turn to face the storm. The last time in IPL 2015 CSK visited the Wankhede, openers Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith slaughtered the bowling, setting up a six-wicket victory. McCullum’s huge frame will be missing this time due to his national commitments.
The Wankhede stadium transforms MI into a formidable opponent, explosive batsmen aware of boundary lengths and an experienced attack needing buzz from the stands to rediscover its voice. Lasith Malinga bounding in is not a terrifying sight anymore, yet has taken 19 wickets so far. Harbhajan Singh’s experience as a clean hitter remains underutilised.
Lucky to sneak into Qualifier 1 as the number two team after 14 matches, ahead of RCB and Rajasthan Royals (rain-hit games restricting wins tally to seven each), MI is still in the process of coming to grips with its own strength as a performing unit.
There is a tendency to switch off and on. Even captain Rohit Sharma does not know which team in blue will step out on Tuesday — the ruthless bunch which blunted a balanced side like KKR or the group that has failed against powerful opponents.
