Chennai Super Kings Reaches Finals in Style

Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings in both the league games. But Chennai Super Kings showed their professionalism by winning comfortably against Mumbai Indians. They showed that they are the team of IPL. A beautiful win set up the top order batsmen.

Positives:

1. Hussey: Not letting Faf play for even a single game was a remarkable achievement. A deserved winner of orange cap. Hope he gives another similar performance in the finals 

2. Raina: This is Raina that CSK know of. Showed again why he is the person that Dhoni wants in his team

3. Jadeja & Bravo: Their bowling showed why the team would retain them ahead of others in the team this year. 

Now just hope that Hussey & Bravo continue to hold the orange and purple cap after the finals. 

Now to the fifth finals for CSK. And hopefully to the third championship title.. 

Player's Fan of the Match: Raina. His batting today set-up the winning total for CSK today. 

P.S: Not well for a long time so not able to update the blog regularly. 

With 7th Consecutive win, CSK reach playoffs

With a victory today, CSK have more or less confirmed their playoffs slot.100% Playoff Qualification is by no means a easy task. And the team should be recognized for this achievement. And for once, the team has qualified without having any nail biting matches in the final days of the league. Hats-off to the team management, support staff and the players. Now the focus should be on reaching the top 2, so that the team has a buffer if they fail in the first semi-finals. 

Positives

1. Raina: BACK IN FORM. CSK's batting today was all about him. Hope he provides more such hundreds for CSK team. 

2. Albie: Small cameo of 25 runs made  a key difference to his bowling today. Hope he carries the same confidence to the future matches. Clutch players like Albie, Bravo, etc. would be very crucial during the big matches - when the teams' abilities are streteched. 

3. Bravo: Another great final over by Bravo. Great to see Morris (last batch) and Bravo coming good in the final overs. 

Generally a good match where the key players like Albie got a chance to bowl and Dhoni implementing the trick of bowling the entire quota if a bowler is in form. 

I would expect the team to give opportunities to a few players - Jakati, Faf, etc.  and rest players like Morris, Dhoni, etc. in the next few matches. 

Fan's Man of the Match: Raina

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. 

Hussey sets up another CSK Win

In another high-scoring game, Hussey set-up CSK win - in-spite of another wonderful batting performance by Bisla.

Positives
1. Hussey & Saha: Good Start from the opening partnership. Hope they are able to repeat this performance for many more games
2. Mohit Sharma: He is CSK's find of the season. We are bound to see him in Indian colors soon.
3. Chris Morris: Rocking final over.
4. Raina: Another fine innings - till the run-out

Negatives
1. Nannes: Problem of finding a premium strike bowler for CSK - still continues.

Fan's Man of the Match: Hussey. Another victory inspired by Hussey

Another high-scoring match awaits

A win tomorrow will take CSK to the top of the table - a well deserved lead in the IPL this year. Considering Chennai pitch this year, expecting another high-scoring match - with a pitch that slows down as the match progresses.

CSK Probable XI

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

If Nannes is fit, expect him to play. Otherwise it is time to end Holder's trial and bring back Albie. 

KKR Probable XI
1. Bisla 2. Gambhir 3. Kallis 4. Morgan 5. Tiwary 6. McNullum 7. Das 8. Bhatia 9. Abdullah 10. Naraine 11. Balaji

It is time CSK took early wickets and restrict the opposition's batting. 

Most Dangerous Players

1. Kallis: KKR depends on his bowling and batting. Neutralizing him is the key for CSK today. 

2.. Naraine & Gambhir: While KKR's bowling revolves around Naraine, their batting revolves around Gambhir. I am sure that the team would have prepared a game plan for them. 

Prediction: Expecting a match dominated by the batsmen & another CSK win.