Fleming retained for 3 more years

As a first step in building a new match-winning Chennai Super Kings team, Chennai Super Kings have signed Fleming as coach for 3 more years. So we are sure to see Dhoni-Fleming Combo for  a few more years. Nice to see Fleming's commitment to the team. 

The team have also retained the support of Tommy Simsek, Gregory King and Steve Rickson. 

Now it is time for Fleming & Co. to pick the right team in the auction. 

Albie Would like to Stay @ CSK

After Dhoni & Haydos, Albie Morkel has also confirmed that he would like to play for Chennai Super Kings next season.. Check his twitter status @ http://twitter.com/albiemorkel/status/25239983473

Now waiting for Raina to confirm his allegiance to Chennai Superkings

P.S: Thanks Siddharth for the tip

Chennai Super Kings - Players to be Retained & Bought

Players to be retained

1. Dhoni: 3-in-1 player. Captain, Wicketkeeper and Batsman. Any doubts on whether he would be retained??

2. Raina: Foundation of all CSK Campaigns. Has not yet publicly confirmed on whether he would agree to be retained by Chennai Super Kings 

3. Murali Vijay: Had my doubts about his adaptability to South African pitches. Has proved his ability without any doubt. 

4. Albie Morkel: This all-rounder is the key to the team's wonderful balance. 

Substitutes:

1. Ashwin: If any of the Indian players does not agree to be retained, 3rd Indian player to be retained

2. Bollinger: If Albie does not agree to be retained, I would expect Bollinger to be retained.

Rules of Retention

1. Maximum 4 Players can be retained - Only a maximum of 3 Indian players and a maximum of 2 foreign can be retained. 

Players to be bought in Auction

1. Davy Jacobs: Impressed by his performance and attitude. Hope CSK are able to buy him in auction. 

2. Shane Watson: Worth every penny he gets paid. Let us see whether any club goes crazy about him. 

3. Ashwin: If he is not retained

4. Murali/Vettori: World class spinners who surely has another 2-3 years left in them.

5. Zaheer/Malinga: Whoever is not retained by Mumbai Indians

6. Hussey: He would be a wonderful addition to the team

7. Bravo/Oram/Razzaq: Another Bowling all-rounder would add a lot more value to the team. 

8. Dinesh Karthick:  Might be very tough to buy him in auction since he is a valuable addition to any team.

9. Yo Mahesh: Will be a valuable slow bowler addition to CSK Team. 

10. Badrinath: His presence in the team is crucial especially in the low-scoring games.

11. Maharoof:  Any of them would be a huge value addition to any team

Key Strategy: Buy them Young. Rather than putting the priority on winning the immediate season, it is essential to build a team that wins more trophies than any other club in India.

Who do you think should Chennai Super Kings buy and retain?


Also read my post on retention at the end of IPL Season 3 @ http://blog.cskfansite.com/2010/04/players-for-next-few-years.html

Champions League Final - Match Review

Another Great Win for Chennai Super Kings!!! Wonderful performance by the bowlers and batsmen. Deserved Champion of Champions this year. All these factors are triumphed by the fact that the win is setup by two unknown talented local players - Ashwin & Vijay. 

Positives:

1. Ashwin: His wicket of Jacobs was the crucial one today. I am sure the team management would be now breaking their head on whether they want to retain Vijay or Ashwin.Deserving winner of 'Man of the Series'.

2. Vijay: Another wonderful performance. by him. My choice for 3rd player to be retained (If Dhoni & Raina agree to be retained). 

3. Balaji: Good performance in the first three overs and ensuring that he tightened the noose around Warriors. 

4. Hussey: Good team performance. This might be the last time we see him in the yellow jersey. 

5. Murali: Proved his worth. Hope CSK are able to buy him in the auction. 

Negatives:

There was none.. Closest game to a perfect one... :)

CSK Fan's Man of the Match: Ashwin

His wicket of Jacobs won the game for Chennai Super Kings. 

Match Summary:  Chennai Super Kings 132 for 2 (Vijay 58, Hussey 51*) beat Warriors 128 (Murali 3-16, Ashwin 2-16) by 8 wickets 

We are Champions of Champions!!!!

Whoa!!! Whoa!!! We are the champions of Champions. 

1 IPL Semifinalists, 1 IPL Runner-up and 1 IPL Champions; Chennai Super Kings add Champions of Champions title also to their bag.. 

Wonderful Campaign  - With not even one team able to defeat them in the alloted 20 overs. Masterclass performance. Feel bad Chennai Super Kings are not able to retain the same team.. 

Not a bad last hurray for a certain players who will never might wear the yellow jersey...