They have never failed to make semifinals of the IPL.
NEVER.
IPL 2008: 2nd
IPL 2009: 4th
IPL 2010: Champions
IPL 2011: Champions
IPL 2012: 2nd
IPL 2013: Table toppers as of now
All this and a Champions League Championship trophy in 2010.
In six editions of the Indian Premier League, none of the other franchise even comes close to this record. Twice champions. Twice runners-up. And once fourth. They have never failed to make semifinals.
NEVER.
In this post, I try to find out what makes CSK such a consistent performer in the IPL.
Strong Captaincy
A unit captained by MS Dhoni will mostly end up on the happier side in closely fought matches. With mostl IPL matches going down to the wire, the captain cool manages to drive home the calmness advantage. CSK generally start off the tournament with some shocks and then recovers to lead the table as the league stage picks up. Quite similar to the Indian story, ain't it?
Core Team is Good and not Fiddled
While most of the other teams start to look different in a couple of years, CSK's batting has always revolved around Raina, Vijay, Badrinath, Hussey and MS Dhoni. Suresh Raina recently became the first player to play 100 matches for the same franchise in IPL. He also picked up the record of first one to score 2500 runs in IPLs. Only Hayden seems missing from the 2008 batting unit, that too because of retirement and not trade off. This certainly has added to the unity of the CSK.
The duo of Raina and Dhoni are the best known finishers in the limited over format of the game. Hussey and Badrinath share the same dependable tag, and can soak in pressure at key moments when the match starts to drift away.Vijay adds a lot of value at the top of the order.
Good All Round Options
Bravo, Morkel and Jadeja have been consistent in all-round shows with bat and ball. MSD has effectively used his options to take crucial wickets. Morkel and Bravo can use the long handle in the death overs to deadly effect.
New Finds
Every Edition CSK pops up a new find who performs amazingly well. In earlier formats, Shadab Jakati surprised with his consistent wicket taking nag. In 2013, Chris Morris has troubled all batsman of other franchises. Mohit Sharma has also put a strong case for himself as the selectors try to zero in on pacers for the South African tour.
With some best finishers of the game in the bag and a motivated leadership at the top, CSK's successful wagon seems unstoppable. They know how to bounce back and end up with the hands on trophy.
Lets see how 2013 ends up for them.
I Hope Rajasthan Royals leave them bare handed this time ;)
'On a good length' considers CSK a stable T20 side with good finishers.
NEVER.
IPL 2008: 2nd
IPL 2009: 4th
IPL 2010: Champions
IPL 2011: Champions
IPL 2012: 2nd
IPL 2013: Table toppers as of now
All this and a Champions League Championship trophy in 2010.
In six editions of the Indian Premier League, none of the other franchise even comes close to this record. Twice champions. Twice runners-up. And once fourth. They have never failed to make semifinals.
NEVER.
In this post, I try to find out what makes CSK such a consistent performer in the IPL.
Strong Captaincy
A unit captained by MS Dhoni will mostly end up on the happier side in closely fought matches. With mostl IPL matches going down to the wire, the captain cool manages to drive home the calmness advantage. CSK generally start off the tournament with some shocks and then recovers to lead the table as the league stage picks up. Quite similar to the Indian story, ain't it?
Core Team is Good and not Fiddled
While most of the other teams start to look different in a couple of years, CSK's batting has always revolved around Raina, Vijay, Badrinath, Hussey and MS Dhoni. Suresh Raina recently became the first player to play 100 matches for the same franchise in IPL. He also picked up the record of first one to score 2500 runs in IPLs. Only Hayden seems missing from the 2008 batting unit, that too because of retirement and not trade off. This certainly has added to the unity of the CSK.The duo of Raina and Dhoni are the best known finishers in the limited over format of the game. Hussey and Badrinath share the same dependable tag, and can soak in pressure at key moments when the match starts to drift away.Vijay adds a lot of value at the top of the order.
Good All Round Options
Bravo, Morkel and Jadeja have been consistent in all-round shows with bat and ball. MSD has effectively used his options to take crucial wickets. Morkel and Bravo can use the long handle in the death overs to deadly effect.
New Finds
Every Edition CSK pops up a new find who performs amazingly well. In earlier formats, Shadab Jakati surprised with his consistent wicket taking nag. In 2013, Chris Morris has troubled all batsman of other franchises. Mohit Sharma has also put a strong case for himself as the selectors try to zero in on pacers for the South African tour.
With some best finishers of the game in the bag and a motivated leadership at the top, CSK's successful wagon seems unstoppable. They know how to bounce back and end up with the hands on trophy.
Lets see how 2013 ends up for them.
I Hope Rajasthan Royals leave them bare handed this time ;)
'On a good length' considers CSK a stable T20 side with good finishers.
well observed!!
ReplyDeletethis is a team that has stuck together throughout the entire timeline of IPL. a very well balanced team.
i remember when i was supporting Mumbai Indians in their last encounter ;) i was like.. man they have a long line up... every one performs for the victory. it seems that they lose only if the other team has an exceptionally good day! how else can you justify Pollard dropping four doddle catches and the team still gets away with a win!!!
yeah! And they look to mr like team india in yellow. Jadeja n ashwin take wkts. Raina dhoni chase totals. Totally india !
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ReplyDeleteRight from the beginning of the IPL experts have been screaming that the team having the best Indian performers will flourish and CSK has proved this right. I have started feeling that MSD is not all about good luck:D
ReplyDeleteNice one. CSK were the only consistent team in IPL so far and hoping it will be the same in the near future too :) Lets roar :)
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