Chika, our chief selector, famously oracled that CSK would go on to win the IPL this time around. Being a non-filmi brand ambassador ( thank god we didnt have to put up with kollywood tantrums to go with the bollywood tamasha, unlike last year ) and a die-hard fan of the local franchise, he is bound to exude optimism. The point is, it was just a misplaced one.
To begin with, the foreign players - oram, albie and freddy - didnt do justice to their reputation. Apparently, it was MSD's push for stacking the team with all rounders, for which he cant be blamed. Had two of the three performed in line with their potential, CSK might have gone the distance. To be fair to MSD, the team itself was heavily reliant on Haydos to fire at the top of the order. CSK resembles the Indian team of 90s where there was too much reliance on Tendulkar to make up for the lacklustre bowling resources. One might argue that the allrounders didnt get a fair chance to spend some time at the crease to come to terms with the SA wickets and the format of the game, but they didnt inspire confidence in their captain to send them up the order. It was always haydos, MS and raina doing bulk of the scoring.
This team was devoid of the glitz and loud presence, unlike few other teams, and it also helped that Chika didnt quite command the kind of star power which Preity, SRK or Shilpa did. There were no real gainers in CSK this year around : to a certain extent Raina showcased his bowling skills, as did Jakati. Balaji, for all his intelligence, just tried too much to record the highest economy rate in the tournament. One wishes MSD sheds his caretaker type of batting, and throws caution to the winds and plays his natural game. Unfortunately, the winning ratio is on the higher side whenever he dons the role of an accumulator. Badri, will probably remain on the periphery of national selection - he has adapted his game quite well to suit the needs of the shorter version. But there will always be younger and more talented players staking their claim in all forms of the game. Parthiv, along with Dinesh, have acquitted themselves reasonably well, but dont see them getting a spot in the national team unless MSD opts to sit out or is plagued by injury. If there is one player who is all hype, that has to be Gony. It beats me as to how he can be called a successful bowler. His 6ft something frame, might instill fear among the shorter breed when he walks on the street, but not on the pitch for sure. CSK would do well to find a good bowler for next year's edition. Few of my friends were waiting to see the likes of palani amarnath, pity we didnt get to see him play even one game.
All in all, CSK were a one man show, which sure doesnt deserve to win a tournament. MS had predicted that it will be one innings that would seal the fate of the knockout games - it was Gilly for Deccan and for RCB, it was the greenhorn Pandey who took the pace bowlers to the cleaners.
Disappointed, but not disillusioned.
