Another thrashing by CSK

CSK dealt a thrashing to Pune Warriors to retain their No:1 spot in IPL Premier League Table. While the middle order batsmen set up a comprehensive total, their bowlers & fielders backed it up with critical wickets. 

It was great to see CSK continue their winning momentum and ending Pune Warriors's hopes of reaching semi-finals. 

Positives:

1. Raina & Badri: For the explosive innings from Dhoni, the victory was set up by well-paced batting by Raina & Badri. Raina is slowly coming to his best and Badri never fails to deliver when the teams expect a crucial knock from him. 

2. Dhoni: I believe this is the best we have seen of Dhoni in IPL. He has been winning matches - from the day one of the season. His knock ended the chances for Pune Warriors in the match today.

3. Mohit Sharma:  Continues to impress! We are bound to see him - soon in the Indian colors. 

4. Hussey & Fielding: Crucial run-outs and commitment shown on the field - especially by Hussey was commendable. Hmmm. Hussey will be missed next season. 

5. Experimentation: With just one more win required for qualifying for the play-offs, Dhoni continues to experiment - by bowling Jadeja - right at the beginning. Hope this helps Dhoni to figure out the best combo for the play-offs. 

Also it was the right decision to drop Nannes for Morkel. Hope Morkel gets an opportunity to bat - to show his worth for the team. 

Fan's Man of the Match: Dhoni - In-addition to his batting, his batting and wicket-keeping was spot-on. 

CSK should now look to qualify through a win against Kings XI Punjab at Chennai on May 2. 

CSK Bowlers lose the match

While it is easy to blame the CSK batsmen for the loss, 160 is always going to be tough to score in the wicket. 140-150 would have been a very competitive total on the pitch. And CSK poor performance in the power-play was also a key reason for the defeat. While bowlers should have taken early wickets in power-play overs, CSK batsmen (Vijay & Raina) should have been much more aggressive in the first four overs.

Positives:

1. Badri: Badri played a fine innings. Without Hussey in the team, he should have taken the responsibility to stay till the end - rather than looking to score the runs fast.

Negatives:

1. Bravo: Bravo has been having poor season so far. Might not be a bad idea to drop him for one match and play Hussey & Jakati in Bravo & Anirudh's place

2. Nannes: Your No:1 strike bowler can't be your most expensive bowler. 

3. Ashwin: Don't think Dhoni is getting the best out of the bowling unit - especially of Ashwin. It is time for Ashwin to win matches for CSK. 

Next Game is on Thurday against Delhi. Should believe it would be a must-win game so that CSK don't fall too behind the top four. 

CSK fancing a win after Pune Warriors

After a last ball penultimate ball last ball penultimate ball victory, CSK should be looking to win the game - easy way against Pune today. Angelo Mathew, their captain would not play because of IPL's Decision to bar Srilankan players from Chennai. Though CSK won against RCB, they would want

1. Vijay & Hussey to start giving good starts in the first six overs
2. Jadeja & Ashwin to tighten their noose in the middle overs
3. Nannes & plus to bowl well in the  powerplay and death overs - as a team. 

CSK Probable XI

1. Hussey 2. Vijay 3. Raina 4. Badri 5. Bravo 6. Dhoni 7. Jadeja 8. Morris 9.Ashwin 10. Jakati/Rajpoot. 11. Nannes

Believe it is time Jakati got his chance. Another idea would be to bring in Morkel in the place of Hussey and ask Bravo/Badri to open the innings. Then Anirudh or any another batsman can take the place of the extra bowler. 

Pune Warriors Probable XI

1. Finch 2. Uthappa 3. Ross Taylor 4. Yuvraj Singh 5. Suman 6. M Marsh 7. Nayar 8. Wayne Parnell 9. Bhuvanesh Kumar 10. Rahul Sharma 11. Dinda

Though Pune Warriors have lost 12 out of their last 13 matches, it would be unwise to take this team tightly. On paper, they are a strong squad that should compete for semi-final slots. Uthappa, Taylor, Yuvraj, Finch, Rahul Sharma & Bhuvanesh have all won matches for their international team single handed. Hope CSK make the right preparation for a team of this quality. 

Most Dangerous Players

1. Ross Taylor: His early wicket is crucial for the performance of CSK spinners. 

2. Uthappa: Hope the team does not let him have a easy start. 

3. Bhuvanesh Kumar: Though the first four matches in this season has been quite for him, we can't discount his international performance 

4. Rahul Sharma: Our middle order batsmen might continue to be bamboozled by this mystery spinner. 

Prediction: Expecting another close match and hoping for a CSK Win.