Chennai Super Kings are Favorites

Though there was a lot of uncertainity around the second season of Indian Premier League, betting for Indian Premier League has already started going great guns. And the competition is already looking fierce in terms of betting on the Indian Premier League - 2009 Season.

As per the current reports, Chennai Super Kings is leading the odds with 4-1, ahead of the next placed Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab at 5-1. And I don't disagree. :)

News Source: Betting Choice

NR-IPL @ South Africa

It is official. Indian Premier League - Season 2 would take place in South Africa. Thanks to favorable weather & government, Lalit Modi & Co. have preferred South Africa over England. Thanks to South African domestic season, the tournament will start a week later on April 18th. So Andrew Flintoff's availability to Chennai Super Kings would be further reduced by a week. But Albie Morkel, Ntini and Hussey would be now available for the entire tournament.

More Chennai Super Kings Stars Disappointed About Shifting

After Flintoff and Badrinath expressing their disappointment of shifting of IPL venues, Lakshimpath Balaji also joined in and expressed his disappointment on shifting IPL outside India. Balaji said to Hindu that,

"It is quite depressing in that we won't have home matces. But at least the IPL is making it happen. "

Even Muralitharan, who narrowly escaped from the terrorist attacks in Lahore, has expressed his disappointment in an interview with TOI,

"Yes it is extremely disappointing that we won't get the opportunity to playin India. IPL proved to be such an exciting cricket tournament last year, what with international and national cricketers, lots of stars, celebs and the fast-paced T20 format.

I don't know whether we will get the same environment again. But then, as cricketers, we are contract-bound and have to play wherever they organize the tournament. "

Chennai Super Kings Stars and Management Also Disappointed

Disappointed Players

After Flintoff expressed his disappointment over shifting of venues to a place outside India, all CSK Stars are joining the fans in expressing their disappointment. Badrinath has said that he would miss Chepauk atmosphere. But he believes that playing in international venues would not affect the chance of team making into semifinals and would do a great deal of good to his career.

"Playing in South Africa or England will be interesting. And we really have a very balanced team that can do well anywhere."

Disappointed Management

While Chennai Super Kings players are disappointed about missing Chepauk atmosphere, Chennai Super Kings managment is disappointed that they would lose 12.5 Crore revenues from gate sales. Still they are optimistic about creating a new fan base wherever they are asked to play.

Also the managment is going to treat this like a tour and are not expecting to have more than 16-18 players in the squad.

News Source: Television Point

Venkatesh Prasad Joins Chennai Super Kings

Another great news for Chennai Super Kings. VB & Co. have been successful in convincing Venkatesh Prasad to become a part of Chennai Super Kings Support Team. The move looks like a master-stroke especially after the shifting of IPL matches to international venues. I am sure Venky's expertise and experience would be of great help to Gony, Tyagi, etc. who have little experience of international pitches. Also Venkatesh Prasad would be playing a perfect foil to Stephen Fleming.

Venkatesh Prasad! Chennai Super Kings Fans, Welcome you to the squad. Hope to see a much improved Chennai Super Kings bowling Unit this season.

News Source: Hindu