Victory Photos from 200+ Run Chase Against RCB

Victory Photos of our Beloved CSK Team after their 200+ Run Chase Against RCB. This is why we love this game and we love CSK Players. Do share these photos with your facebook friends too.

Inside the Dressing Room After Victory Against RCB 

Inside the Dressing Room After Victory Against RCB

Strongest Rivals ?

Well, maybe we can answer this question better in two days time. But why not get the discussion started ? Who should be our arch-rivals for the next season ? I remember earlier in the season, Robin had considered Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore as potential rivals and settled on Bangalore. But now, is it time for a re-think given Bangalore's poor performance ?

My thoughts - candidate rivals and reasons in no particular order -
1) King's X1 Punjab - We play our best cricket against them, plus Dhoni has a keen battle against his friend and vice-captain Yuvraj

2) Delhi Daredevils - We seem to be very evenly matched, plus there is the age-old South v North issue, plus Dhoni also bypassed Sehwag for India captaincy, so there's a contest.

3) Mumbai Indians - The Mumbai crowds are the worst behaved. How can we forget the way they booed Dhoni at the Wankhede ? Plus they fairly destroyed us in our away game. Plus there is the history and the financial clout of Mumbai.

Of course the earlier reasons mentioned by Robin are still somewhat relevant. I don't want to make this sound a Dhoni v Yuvraj or Dhoni v Sehwag thing ... that's just one thought for you guys to consider.

Waiting to hear from you as to who should be our arch-rivals for next season and why ?

First Semifinal - Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils Preview

It's the first knockout. No more second chances. No more opportunities for revenge or comebacks. One of the Royals and the Daredevils will be going home disappointed tonight and the other will be readying for the mega-finals on Saturday.

Favorites ?
I would like to see Rajasthan in the finals - because I believe they are by some distance the better team, although possibly Delhi might be the preferable opponent for us if we go through tomorrow. I do think Rajasthan have the edge despite their loss in the last league game.

League Record 1-1
Delhi had beaten Rajasthan on the second day of the championship at home when Warne's men were yet to get things in order and were written off by all as minnows. However, Warnie returned with interest in the home game - a comprehensive win for the Royals.

Teams
Delhi
Strengths - Top order, McGrath, Fielding
Weaknesses - Middle order, Backup bowling (esp. fifth bowler)

Rajasthan
Strengths - Versatile, well-oiled batting, Warne - bowler and captain, Tanvir - best bowler of the series, Watson
Weaknesses - Some of the players rely a lot on Warne's captaincy, these could be individually targeted.

Royal Contests
Smith v McGrath
Yusuf v Mishra
Gambhir v Tanvir
Sehwag v Warne

Chennai Super Kings Vs Deccan Chargers - Match Preview

Two teams that are equally determined to win a game will meet today at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. While one team lurks at the bottom of the table, the other side has slipped from its top position. Since both the teams rely more on their batting firepower rather than their bowling, we can expect a cracker of a contest today.

 

  Vs

Most Dangerous Players:

1. Gilchrist: As Gilchrist showed in the match against Mumbai Indians, he can annihilate any attack on his day.
2. Afridi: Though he could be as dangerous as Gilchrist on his day(which are rare), it is his bowling that worries me the most.

Royal Contests:

• Gilchrist Vs Ntini: In the last two matches, Ntini was bowling with a lot of heart. So expect the face-off between these quality players, who would like to change their respective team's losing streak.

Bangalore Royal Challengers Vs Chennai Super Kings - Match Preview

This is going to be a very interesting match. One team has won all the matches and would try to keep their momentum going. The other team lies in the bottom of the table and would try to score their first win before their home crowd. Chennai Super Kings, which started its IPL campaign with a simple strategy of winning all the first four matches, is going on the right track. While Bangalore Royal Challengers, plagued by injuries to their major bowlers, are still not able to find the right combination.

While Dhoni is not expected to change his playing eleven, Dravid would be breaking his head on whom to play and whom to leave among the foreign imports (Kallis, Boucher, Steyn, Misbah-ul-Haq, Cameron White, Ross Taylor, Chandrapaul, Abdur Razzak). Dravid would also be determined to show that he could adapt his batting style to T20 cricket. If they get their act together, Bangalore royal challengers could challenge any team. Otherwise it will be another boring one sided game.

  Vs

Most Dangerous Players(MDP): 

• Steyn: With the world's second best strike rate, he is the most dangerous player in the Bangalore Royal Challengers squad. He is the kind of player who either gets 2 wickets or gets hit for 40 runs. Hope Hayden and Hussey are able to negate Steyn's initial overs.
• Misbah-ul-Haq: Pakistan's T20 hero. He could be their key player if BRC bats second
• Ross Taylor or Cameron White: Two Players who have got the potential to win the match for BRC single handedly.

Royal Contests:

• Dhoni Vs Kumble: Will Dhoni hit Kumble for sixes? or Will Kumble bamboozle Dhoni with the tricks in his bag? We have to wait and see.
• Kannada Crowd Vs Tamil Crowd: I hope this does not happen. At least a few Tamils from Bangalore would be turning out to support their team - Chennai Super Kings. How Kannada crowds are going to react to them is anybody's guess. With the recent Hogennakal dispute lurking on back ground, I hope it does not turn ugly in the stands.

My Prediction: Chennai Super Kings win set up by a fine innings from Michael Hussey

Also Read

• Know 'Why Bangalore Royal Challengers are CSK's arch rivals?'

Chennai Super Kings Vs Mumbai Indians - Preview

In today's match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, we could expect to see a huge number of personal contests within the contest. Hayden Vs Harbhajan, Captain Dhoni Vs Captain Sachin, Jayasuria Vs Murali, Hussey Vs Pollock. But all these contests fade in front of the contest going on the minds of each Chennai Super Kings fans' mind. Whom to support during the match? Team led by Master Blaster or their own City Team?

Pitch

The pitch, shorn of grass is very similar to the condition of the pitch that hosted the first test match between India and South Africa in the recent series. Thanks to the pitch, Chennai Super Kings start as favourites in today's match.

 Vs  

Comparison - Chennai Super Kings XI Vs Mumbai Indians XI - Batting

Mathew Hayden Vs Sanath Jayasuria

Both are explosive batsman who could change their game on their own. Though both of them got good starts in the last match, they were not able to utilize the opportunity. So both of them would be waiting to prove their worth to their respective teams. Verdict: Equal

Parthiv Patel Vs Sachin Tendulkar (L Ronchi)

Nobody would have any doubts on this comparison. The biggest asset of Mumbai Indians towers over Parthiv Patel. But doubts still persisting over Tendulkar's ability to play, L Ronchi may come as a placement. If so, both the teams are equal with regard to the ability of Ronchi and Parthiv.

Hussey Vs DJ Thornley/Bravo

Mr. Cricket's abilities with the bat surely towers above Thornley or any of his replacements. With regard to the important No:3 position, Chennai Super Kings are hugely ahead. Verdict: CSK Hugely Ahead

Uthappa Vs Dhoni

Both are aggressive players. Both are considered by a few as over rated players. Both have the ability to clear balls out of the grounds. Verdict: Equal

Pinal Shah/Tiwary Vs Raina - Verdict : CSK Ahead

Badrinath Vs Nayar:

Considered by a huge number of cricket fans as one of the most talented players not to be given an opportunity in Indian national side, Badrinath surely scores over Nayar. Verdict: CSK Ahead

Oram Vs Pollock

Both the players have the ability to send towering sixes in the slog overs. Verdict: Equal

Comparison - Chennai Super Kings XI Vs Mumbai Indians XI - Bowling

Nehra Vs Gony

In the first match against Bangalore Royal Challengers, Nehra was only a ghost of his former self. Personally I am not expecting much from him. With the expectation that the pitch won't  be providing any assistance to bowlers, Gony's pace could make the difference. Verdict: CSK Slightly Ahead

Pollock Vs Oram

Pollock showed in the first match that his experience still counts. Verdict: Mumbai Indians Ahead

Harbhajan Vs Murali

Harbhajan may be a talented spinner but he is surely not a match for the smiling wizard. (at least not yet) Verdict: CSK Ahead

Kulkarani Vs Joginder Sharma - Verdict: Equal

Jayasuria Vs Jakati -  Verdict - Mumbai Indians Ahead

 

Summary

Chennai Super Kings have a strong batting line up considered to Mumbai Indians... thanks to their strong middle order. With Tendulkar not expected to play today's match, Mumbai Indians' batting line up looks weakened, compared to Chennai Super Kings. In the bowling department, Mumbai Indians have mustered a better lineup than Chennai Super Kings. But with the pitch not expected to provide any assistance to the bowlers, this may not be a huge factor.

 

My Prediction: A Comprehensive Chennai Super Kings Win

News Snippets

1. Maestro's Acknowledgement: When fans proclaim their team as the best, it is not a big thing. But if the rivals also acknowledge that, then there should be truth in what the fans say. Symonds on his interview, acknowledged that Matthew Hayden’s (Chennai Super Kings) team is a strong one. Yeah! Symonds! We too acknowledge that you are the second best team in the competition.
2. Cheers: While DNA networks is bringing cheerleaders from the US National Football league(Washington Redskins) for the inaugural match, Chennai Super Kings is not lagging behind. India Cements Ltd. has chosen to cheer the team in the traditional Tamil Style. They have already booked drummer Sivamani to cheer the team after every boundary or dismissal. [News Source: Financial Express]
3. Sponsors: Not only Chennai Super Kings fans are queuing up to buy the tickets, even the sponsors are chasing the team. In addition to Aircel and Reebok, S Kumar's and Cafe Coffee Day have joined the elite sponsors list.

Ready for Rivalry???

Yankees Vs Red Sox

Lakers Vs Celtics

Real Madrid Vs FC Barcelona

India Vs Pakistan

 

These are not 'just sports matches'. They are something more. Each of these matches resemble the battle between ancient warriors fighting for their pride. These sports rivalries add that extra element, essential for the success of professional leagues, drawing  new fans to the game. Some games even owe their popularity to the sports rivalries[Chess - Bobby Fischer Vs Boris Spassky match]. Even Team Owners love sports rivalries because of the increased television ratings and increased attendance for those matches.

 

Sports Riots are Fun Too! :)

But it is the fans who benefit the most because we witness something special that cannot be described in words. These rivalries inspire folklore and the nail biting contests are retold for generations  eg. Javed Miandad's six off the last ball in Australasia Cup final, Boston Red Sox's comeback from 0-3 to win the seven game series. Fans who thinks sports rivalries are recent, arising from media hype, are sadly mistaken. Sports Rivalries have been in existence for around 1500 years[Nika Riots]. For IPL to become successful as everybody wants it to be, it is essential that each team create these rivalries.

 

So it is time we pick out our rivals. I could think of 3 teams that could be our rivals.

1. Mumbai Indians: How can we forget "lungi hatao pungi bajao" or "yendu gundu"? Also we could be picking out on the franchise with a huge financial muscle, thereby leading to a David Vs. Goliath fight.

2. Hyderabad Deccan Chargers: Wikipedia considers Proximity as the major cause of sports rivalry. Deccan Chargers satisfy the condition. Having the second best team, they are going to be the biggest roadblock on our march to the IPL crown.

3. Bangalore Royal Challengers: But the recent Hogenakal water dispute put to rest all the questions about the choice of our arch rivals. Even the fans of both the teams echoed these thoughts in their Orkut communities. So! Don't miss the emotionally charged matches against Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Warning to Dhoni: You cannot, cannot afford to lose the matches against Bangalore Royal Challengers.