The maestro chases another dream on a highway of miles and milestones. Sachin Tendulkar returns to a venue where he has conjured and conquered for India. The ageless champion continues to inspire.
The challenge this time around is of a different kind. Can the legend guide Mumbai Indians to its maiden Indian Premier League title?
Symbiotic relationship
Tendulkar shares a symbiotic relationship with the crowd at Chepauk. He still has the eye of the tiger, is still an explosive athlete. And he still relishes the sniff of a combat.
Mumbai Indians, however, faces a tough hurdle in the second qualifier at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. Royal Challengers Bangalore might have been bruised by Chennai Super Kings' spectacular counter-attack at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, but is still a formidable outfit.
Fuel-driven by the explosive Chris Gayle's booming hits, RCB topped the league phase.
But then, in the only encounter between the two sides in the league stage, Mumbai Indians brushed aside RCB by nine wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. That was before Gayle joined a limping RCB outfit.
The Bangalore side, powered by Gayle, then sprinted during a sensational seven-match winning streak. However, its capitulation in the business end of the duel against CSK has put question mark over the side's temperament in crunch situations.
Gripping duels
Friday's clash at this aesthetically pleasing stadium where the sea breeze could be a factor will feature a few gripping duels. The face-off between the red-hot Lasith Malinga and the in-form Gayle could have a significant bearing on the outcome.
Gayle has a whopping 519 runs from 10 games at 74.14 at an astonishing strike-rate of 184.04. Apart from dismissing the ball over the ropes with the ease and the flow of a natural, he has dented the opposition psychologically.
With his unique sling-arm action and the ability to send down yorkers of deadly precision with subtle changes in pace, Malinga — he has scalped 28 wickets from 15 matches at 5.94 (ER) — represents a clear and present danger to Gayle.
Tendulkar could also employ Harbhajan Singh with the new ball against the left-handed Gayle with a slip in place. With 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.73, the experienced off-spinner has been in reasonable form.
Accomplished seamer
This said, seamer Munaf Patel (20 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 6.57) has held his nerve and hit the right areas for the Mumbai side. He is now an accomplished seam bowler who comprehends varying situations.
Munaf could cramp the batsmen for room and consume them with lift and telling movement. Munaf's duel against the efficient Virat Kohli (514 runs at 51.40 at 123.55) could witness sparks flying.
Another interesting contest within a contest could come in the form of the crafty Zaheer Khan matching skill and wit with Tendulkar. The left-arm paceman has 13 scalps from as many games at an economy rate of 7.70. Tendulkar, donning the role of the anchor, has collected an impressive 513 runs from 15 matches at 42.56 (strike rate 110.56).
Right partner
Among the positives for Mumbai Indians from its hard-earned victory over Kolkata Knight Riders was the blistering 51 by Aiden Blizzard; he is a southpaw with tremendous hand-eye coordination. The Mumbai Indians could have found the right opening partner for Tendulkar.
Then, James Franklin, another left-hander, has lived at the death for the Mumbai side with his cool head and calculated blows.
The pacing of the innings, though, has been a problem area for Mumbai Indians and the onus is on the likes of Ambatti Rayadu, Rohit Sharma and the struggling Kieron Pollard to take flight when their side needs them the most. Interestingly, Mumbai Indians is the only IPL side to be coached by an Indian in Robin Singh.
The surface at Chepauk should assist the spinners. There might be a fair measure of carry to the pacemen too. Batting first might be the wiser ploy.
With a place in Saturday's final against CSK up for grabs, the stakes are high.
