Chennai Super Kings Qualifies for Semifinals!!!

Another pseudo-quarterfinal match. Another poor start.. Another poor performance in the first innings. Another victory plucked from the jaws of defeat. Another semifinals.. Good Work! Team!

Positives

1. Hussey: Good to see Hussey in good nick It is crucial for the team that Hussey continues his good form against Steyn & Co.

2. Ashwin: Good to see him make a strong comeback after a poor performance in the last match. 

3. Jakati: Fine performance by Jakati. His performance is bound to give Fleming & Dhoni some selection problems. 

4. Murali: Another fine performance. The building block on which all Chennai Super Kings wins have been built.

Negatives

1. Injury to Albie: Injury to Albie still continues. Hope he is fit for the crucial match against Bangalore Royal Challengers

2. Where is IPL Bollinger? Waiting for Bollinger to reveal his IPL form.

CSK Fans' Man of the Match: Ashwin - His wickets won the match for Chennai Super Kings. 

Match Summary:Chennai Super Kings 136 for 6 (Hussey 50, Vijay 35, Kreusch 3-19) beat Warriors 126 for 8 (Jacobs 32, Ashwin 3-24)

Chennai Super Kings falter against Hussey & Finch blitzkrieg

First! Congrats to Chennai Super Kings on pulling the game back after Finch's blitzkrieg. That alone should give the team enough confidence to keep on fighting - until the final ball is bowled. But I still can't believe Dhoni gave the super over to Ashwin. Hope the coaching team and Dhoni learn from this mistake. 

Positives:

1. Tight Finish: I am sure the experience of playing in a tight game would come handy when the team qualifies for semifinals. 

2. Hussey IN: Good decision by the team. Hope they continue with Hussey opening for CSK. 

3. Vijay: Another good performance by him. Ensuring that the team has to think hard between retaining him and Bollinger. 

4. Murali: Wonderful effort by Wizard to bring his team into the game after the initial blitzkrieg. 

Negatives:

1. Ashwin: Ashwin's Powerplay magic has come to an end. Hope his confidence is not affected by this super over. 

2. Balaji: Another poor bowling effort. Time for him to get his act together and raise his performance. 

CSK Fans' Man of the Match - Murali

Brief Match Summary - Chennai Super Kings 162 for 6 (Vijay 73, Hastings 2-22) tied with Victoria Bushrangers 162 (D Hussey 51, Finch 41, Raina 4-26, Murali 2-17). Victoria won in Super Over

Chennai Super Kings Ready for Victorian Pace Attack?

That would be the question that Chennai Super Kings has to answer in today's match against Victoria Bushrangers. How Raina & Vijay play Nannes & Siddle would determine the match. 

CSK My XI:

1. Vijay 2. Anirudha 3. Raina 4. Hussey 5. Badri 6. Dhoni 7. Albie Morkel 8. Ashwin 9. Balaji 10. Bollinger 11. Murali

Hussey for Hayden: It is a tough choice to pick Hussey ahead of Hayden. Hayden in form brings more to CSK team than Hussey. And we can't discount Hayden's fine knocks in the practice games. But seeing him struggle in the lat match showed that Hussey is a better choice . 

Victoria Bushranges Probable XI:

1 Rob Quiney, 2 Brad Hodge, 3 Aaron Finch, 4 David Hussey (capt.), 5 Andrew McDonald, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 John Hastings, 8 Clint McKay, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Bryce McGain/James Pattinson, 11 Dirk Nannes

Most Dangerous Players:

1. Dirk Nannes: Unlike last year, Dirk Nannes is having a poor Champions League so far. So he would be looking forward to get better. 

2. Siddle: Siddle's pace is bound to trouble all Indian batsman. 

Favorites: Provided Chennai Super Kings pick Hussey ahead of Hayden, they would be the favorites. I am sure the match would be decided on whether Victorian pace attack or Chennai Super Kings batting attack win the battle. 

Another Easy Win

Another Good Show by the Team. Another Easy Win. Good to see the entire team contributing to the win. 

Positives:

1. Raina & Vijay: Raina & Vijay got among runs. This knock should really give Raina enough confidence to counter Victorian and Warriors fast bowlers. 

2. Bowlers: Good show by bowlers to restrict Srilankan to a low score. And snuffing the hopes of Wayamba of any surprise victory in the first six overs itself. 

Negatives:

1. Hayden: Was really sad to see the great batsman huffing and puffing in such a easy wicket. Sorry Hayden! It is time for you to hang up your boots from competitive cricket. Time to bring in Hussey in and ask Anirudha/Hussey to open for CSK. 

Now the team moves to face the stronger opponents in the group. And the team needs to win atleast one match to forge ahead in the tournament. 

Fan's Man of the Match: Raina - His 28-run Mendis over effectively ended the contest. 

CSK Starts their Campaign with a Bang

In hindsight, Chennai Super Kings won the game easily. But for the first ten overs, i thought that the game would be anything but easy. Thanks to Badri & Srikanth's fine innings, the team ended up with a respectable score of 151. And the bowling team backed up the good effort by the batsman to restrict Stags to 94 ..

Positives:

1. Badri: With Fleming & Dhoni dropping Hussey out of the team, the responsibility of anchoring the innings rests on Badri. So great to see him among runs in a difficult pitch

2. Bowlers:All the bowlers had a good match. Great to see Murali in his 800 Jersey. (Kudos CSK Management on this innovation)

Negatives:

1. Hayden: If Hayden hits form, no team in the tournament can win against CSK. So sad to see him not able to carry his practice game form. Hope Hayden gets scoring next match. Or Fleming might be tempted to drop Hayden for Hussey. 

2. Dropped Catches: CSK's tradition of dropping catches still continues. 

Fan's Man of the Match: Badri - A key innings that laid the foundation for today's victory.