Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers by 7 wickets while chasing a modest target of 148, thanks to a supreme and match- winning effort by Suresh Raina(54) and a useful contribution from Mahendra Singh Dhoni(37). This means Chennai with a tally of 16 points has registered a place for itself in a semi-final clash against Kings XI Punjab.
The team has had a rough and inconsistent ride till now, impressing a lot but also missing out at crucial junctures. Chennai very much looked the ‘team to beat’ in the initial phase of the tournament starting right away with four straight wins. However the departure of Mathew Hayden, Mike Hussey and Jacob Oram left a gaping hole in the team composition. With the nucleus of the side gone, the team was hit hard.
Chennai was struggling to get the mix right, losing the next three games and suddenly found itself in a rough spot. However you’ve got to give credit to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys considering how they have re-shaped themselves and come back in this tournament. The team could have secured a place in the semis much earlier, when it was cruising at 60 for no loss in 9 overs chasing a modest target of 126 set by the Royal Challengers, Bangalore. However they lost a few quick wickets and gave in to a tricky situation.
The team seemed to be much in control in the match against Deccan, until they were nearing the end of the chase. Dhoni’s departure gave Deccan a few dot balls and suddenly Chennai required to get 28 runs in 18 balls with RP Singh holding the ball. But Raina and Morkel ensured they were no further hiccups with Raina striking some crucial blows.
Chennai Super Kings has played well as a team for a spot in the semis. The bowlers are vastly improved and are not giving much away. Ntini is attacking and roaring, Gony is consistent and Morkel and Balaji are keeping it tight. Of course you have the wily Murali who sends in some useful middle overs. The batting looks compact with Parthiv and Fleming consistently giving good starts, Dhoni and Raina playing attacking as wells as playing intelligent cricket and Morkel delivering with some crucial blows when it matters most. Morkel almost steered the team to an improbable victory over Rajasthan chasing a target in excess of 200.
More importantly the calm and composure that Dhoni always exhibits has descended into his teamies and the team looks a cool bunch wriggling out of tough and tricky situations. Suddenly Dhoni and his men are back… watch out for them- they might as well end up with the trophy.
Leave Your Comments