I had the privilege of watching the ChennaiSuperKings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore game in MAC last Wednesday and i just loved every movement of the match. CSK victory made things even better :-)
I really pity for the cricketers to toil in such hot and humid conditions, we were not even able to sit in the stands in the heat.It easy to comment and blog all that we like sitting in the comforts of the AC rooms !!!!. The great MAC stadium which has produced some exciting games was changed into an Live Rock Concert show stage, with full fledged bands (with Sivamani in full swing),lights of all colors, mega size speakers and not to forget the cheer girls dancing through out the match.
For each and every ball, the speakers will open up and shout the latest Tamil fast track song in full sound not to mention when a four or six is scored. Not sure how batsmen call for singles and two's when the speakers are barring all ends. Its just great to notice that in spite of so much noise and distractions (read cheer girls) the players get to concentrate and perform. As you know, in T20 even a few balls can change the course of the game, its too much pressure on the players and I feel its very very tough on the players. As expected we have already faced many players burn out. Vijay played his best in the recent past and was exhausted in just 4 overs from the start and needed assistance at the end of every over is the clear sign that the players are taxed too much with back to back games and excessive travel.Its just too much pressure with excessively hot conditions are not good for the players.
For the spectator, yes its just great. Finish your work by 7-7.30 (there are few lucky ones like me who can squeeze time to catch up with 4.00pm games also :-)) in the evening and enjoy the game like a evening movie show. I can see crowds in all ages, i saw a 60+ old lady walking with a stick coming to the stadium just to enjoy the atmosphere. I could also see full family in attendance from grandson to grandfather making it to the match. It was great ... Go to the stadium at least once to experience the atmosphere.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sack TN Players ....
I am just tired of watching CSK's inconsistent display, specially with the Chennai players. Match after match our TN players are failing with the bat & ball and display pathetic performance in the field. There can be many many factors for our defeat against RCB but i will attribute the lose to the catches dropped by Ashwin and M.Vijay.
The catch dropped by Vijay is a absolute sitter and 99 out of 100 times, even a school boy cricketer will catch them with ease. I would like to see minimum of 4 changes in the side for the next game. Drop Vijay,Ashwin,Baily and Parthiv and bring in Dhoni,Kemp (hopefully he is fit),Jakati and Badani. This may sound little radical but if Dhoni and Kemp are fit they pick themselves,jakati brings variety with Murali and need not say anything on Badani's experience and skills to force the pace. Vijay is not a player for this format and lets not take chances and doom his carrier playing him. Both Ashwin and Vijay needs a break and also expect the CSK cricket management talks to them and make sure that they realize that their place is not for granted.
CSK is in its familiar position as ever fighting for a spot in the top 4. CSK needs to win minimum of 6 in the remaining 9 games and that's not easy task. RCB,DC,MI have won 3-4 games and sitting pretty and DD is pushed to make sure that they win, so you can expect some fighting display from them and not to forget KKR and KXI punjab both the teams will get the best players for this format in McCullam,Marsh,Lee and David Hussey. M.Hussey will add instant balance in CSk middle order but since he is expected only in the last leg, its going to be a tough long haul for CSK. Lets hope a fit Dhoni and Kemp bring fresh momentum to CSK.
The catch dropped by Vijay is a absolute sitter and 99 out of 100 times, even a school boy cricketer will catch them with ease. I would like to see minimum of 4 changes in the side for the next game. Drop Vijay,Ashwin,Baily and Parthiv and bring in Dhoni,Kemp (hopefully he is fit),Jakati and Badani. This may sound little radical but if Dhoni and Kemp are fit they pick themselves,jakati brings variety with Murali and need not say anything on Badani's experience and skills to force the pace. Vijay is not a player for this format and lets not take chances and doom his carrier playing him. Both Ashwin and Vijay needs a break and also expect the CSK cricket management talks to them and make sure that they realize that their place is not for granted.
CSK is in its familiar position as ever fighting for a spot in the top 4. CSK needs to win minimum of 6 in the remaining 9 games and that's not easy task. RCB,DC,MI have won 3-4 games and sitting pretty and DD is pushed to make sure that they win, so you can expect some fighting display from them and not to forget KKR and KXI punjab both the teams will get the best players for this format in McCullam,Marsh,Lee and David Hussey. M.Hussey will add instant balance in CSk middle order but since he is expected only in the last leg, its going to be a tough long haul for CSK. Lets hope a fit Dhoni and Kemp bring fresh momentum to CSK.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
CSK plays like Team India
Chennai Super Kings lost the game against kingsXI Punjab from a stage where they could not have lost. CSK performance somehow mirror's team India's performance in ODI and T-20's in the last season. One given day the team will produce some terrific performance and the next day some dreadful cricket, this is what is happening for CSK. CSK pulled a brilliant victory against Delhi chasing 185+ and losing here chasing a paltry 130+ score that too when the asking rate at the final stages were just run a ball.
On the whole, CSK started positively with some disciplined bowling performance from both seamers and spinners. Murali and Balaji were exceptional in picking wickets at the right time and at the same time containing the run flow. Fielding was also good if not great. CSK is said to be a strong batting unit but has not yet fired collectively, once Haydan and Raina were gone the batting looked a little suspect in the middle. In my view Parthiv is not the right choice for opening or for this format. Even though he got runs, i would say he took too many balls for his runs and most important thing in the version is to rotate the strike, if u can not force the pace give strike to the other person. Haydos did not get much strike in the early part, parthiv was kind of playing almost 4 balls of every over and leaving haydos under pressure. But then if the lower order with Morkel in strike, it is pathetic to see Ashwin trying to take control of the situation, the best thing would have been to give strike to morkel and watch the proceedings.
I do not want to write about the bowl out, which to does not make much seance, that to in a league format, why can't we share points ? Both the teams do not deserve a win in this game, both played poor cricket.
As a CSK fan, i wish CSK play's consistent cricket in the coming matches and makes sure we enter the semi-finals with out a struggle. I would also like to see Badani in the middle order in place of Vijay, who i my view is a player for the longer version of the game and badani is solid batsmen and superb fielder and can also chip in with few overs.
On the whole, CSK started positively with some disciplined bowling performance from both seamers and spinners. Murali and Balaji were exceptional in picking wickets at the right time and at the same time containing the run flow. Fielding was also good if not great. CSK is said to be a strong batting unit but has not yet fired collectively, once Haydan and Raina were gone the batting looked a little suspect in the middle. In my view Parthiv is not the right choice for opening or for this format. Even though he got runs, i would say he took too many balls for his runs and most important thing in the version is to rotate the strike, if u can not force the pace give strike to the other person. Haydos did not get much strike in the early part, parthiv was kind of playing almost 4 balls of every over and leaving haydos under pressure. But then if the lower order with Morkel in strike, it is pathetic to see Ashwin trying to take control of the situation, the best thing would have been to give strike to morkel and watch the proceedings.
I do not want to write about the bowl out, which to does not make much seance, that to in a league format, why can't we share points ? Both the teams do not deserve a win in this game, both played poor cricket.
As a CSK fan, i wish CSK play's consistent cricket in the coming matches and makes sure we enter the semi-finals with out a struggle. I would also like to see Badani in the middle order in place of Vijay, who i my view is a player for the longer version of the game and badani is solid batsmen and superb fielder and can also chip in with few overs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dhoni out of action !!!
Dhoni played one of his best knock's in T-20 cricket in the recent past. The partnership with Badri made sure that CSK reached a respectable score. Dhoni's innings was a gem, the way he pulled Bond for a flat six was the pinnacle. As a CSK supporter, i was tense watching the proceedings and after he got hit in the hand, i thought its all over but i think that ignited the old dhoni with those punishing hits to the fence.
CSK bowled brilliantly in the initial overs or i should say it was poor batting from KKR that led to their slide. O.A.Shah's wicket was a beauty from Balaji, he looks a bit more confident and also fit than the previous 2 seasons. Good for him and CSK. Kemp is real good addition to the side, his nagging slow bowling (poi bowling in tamil slang) adds variety to the attack.
On the whole, this win should have grouped the team well and the confidence should be high but for the big blow of dhoni being ruled out for the next 4 games. Dhoni out of action means, that parthiv is in and that does not really sound good, i would have loved to see Badani in action. Also i would have expected Badri to lead the side with all his experience in leading the India A side,SouthZone challenger sides etc but not sure from where did Raina emerge as a captain.. lets see how he performs as captain. Haydos is due for a big one and if badani replaces Vijay that will give options in the top and we will also get a extra bowling option. Vijay some how is struggling to force the pace and i fell he is best suited for the longer version of the game.
On the favourites for lifting the IPL-III, i feel MI is the best balanced side with the additions of Bravo and Pollard both are capable of big hitting and most importantly both are nagging slow bowlers best suited for T20. With the local talen in Rayudu and S.Tiwari playing some good knocks at importants stages of the game, i would say MI is the favourites. I am a great fan of Sachin like millions of cricket loving people around the world but i am not a fan of sachin's captaincy for obvious reasons, if he can pull this up and win the trophy for MI it will be great.
CSK bowled brilliantly in the initial overs or i should say it was poor batting from KKR that led to their slide. O.A.Shah's wicket was a beauty from Balaji, he looks a bit more confident and also fit than the previous 2 seasons. Good for him and CSK. Kemp is real good addition to the side, his nagging slow bowling (poi bowling in tamil slang) adds variety to the attack.
On the whole, this win should have grouped the team well and the confidence should be high but for the big blow of dhoni being ruled out for the next 4 games. Dhoni out of action means, that parthiv is in and that does not really sound good, i would have loved to see Badani in action. Also i would have expected Badri to lead the side with all his experience in leading the India A side,SouthZone challenger sides etc but not sure from where did Raina emerge as a captain.. lets see how he performs as captain. Haydos is due for a big one and if badani replaces Vijay that will give options in the top and we will also get a extra bowling option. Vijay some how is struggling to force the pace and i fell he is best suited for the longer version of the game.
On the favourites for lifting the IPL-III, i feel MI is the best balanced side with the additions of Bravo and Pollard both are capable of big hitting and most importantly both are nagging slow bowlers best suited for T20. With the local talen in Rayudu and S.Tiwari playing some good knocks at importants stages of the game, i would say MI is the favourites. I am a great fan of Sachin like millions of cricket loving people around the world but i am not a fan of sachin's captaincy for obvious reasons, if he can pull this up and win the trophy for MI it will be great.
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