"Champion of Champions" Chennai Super Kings

[littlemaster1982]

"Enna Rascala, Mind it!" :banghead:

Idhai yaaru first aarambichadhu :x Some northies use this frequently and get on my nerves :evil:

[ajithfederer]

SRK in Om shanthi om.

[littlemaster1982]

One more reason to hate him :curse:

[directhit]

One more reason to hate him :curse: :exactly: the movie and the reason which made me hate him! idiot(s)...

[SoftSword]

Chennai moves to 5th spot !! :banghead: ..... Next one :: Mumbai Vs Csk !! Tough one ahead !! Csk has to win here !

Tough one for Sachin and CSK supporters :(
same ipl3 final feelings... yaaro win pannunga... sachin 50 adicchaa podhum.

[Siv.S]

Channel V la quick gun murugan start panninathu thane? saarug athai copy adichar.. :banghead:

[directhit]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/131900/131933.jpg

[SoftSword]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbcTXjbIHLY&feature=player_embedded

ennaaa villatthanam............. :evil:

[Sourav]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbcTXjbIHLY&feature=player_embedded

ennaaa villatthanam............. :evil:
:lol: semmma smart...

[lawmani]

annan Bravo, eppo vararu?

[VinodKumar's]

Bakistan kaarangala suttu thallitu varuvaaru ... vantha randiv ku thaan edam irukaathu ... Morkel irrupaan shhhhhh

[directhit]

Bakistan kaarangala suttu thallitu varuvaaru ... vantha randiv ku thaan edam irukaathu ... Morkel irrupaan shhhhhh duck out aanalum 2-3 wicket eduthu team la edam pudichidaraan :sigh2: dont think Flaasafy wud play the entire IPL :banghead:

[Plum]

Those 2-3 wickets were also lucky of the Agarkar order.

[SoftSword]

dhoni, inga yaen ellaarukkum match practise kudukkradhillai...
ippodhaan namakku buffer irukkae... vittu dhaan paakkalamae...

[ajaybaskar]

Vijay may not play today. Anirudha may open with Hussey.

[ajaybaskar]

With 48 wickets, Albie Morkel is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. Only three seamers - RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Lasith Malinga - have more IPL scalps to their name

[Plum]

With 288 Wickets in 191 matches, Ajit Agarkar has one of the best, if not the best, matches-to-Wickets ratio in Indian ODI Cricket History.
Same Difference.

[littlemaster1982]

Agarkar is actually a very good bowler. He lost his way towards the end of his career which made everyone hate him. Albie Morkel kooda compare pandradhellam :notthatway:

[Plum]

apdi pArthA International Cricket-Oda IPL-ai compare paNdradhum thappu illaiyA?
Obviously, the comparison was just on the similarity of the situations not specifically Albie to Agarkar as a bowler.

Basically, Agarkar has good numbers but hasnt really been a man who you can trust to defend even 13 runs in the last over or be sure will bowl to a plan by the captain or has a bowling plan himself. He comes in and bowls - and he doesnt know what is coming next. Since he is capable of bowling good balls, once in a while a good wicket falls to him. Other times, people slog him so much that he gets slog wickets(admittedly, the likes of Sreesanth dont even get that). Being a good bowler is about more than being able to swing, seam or move the ball. It is about ability to think a batsman out - on that count I dont think you could ever trust Ajit.

[littlemaster1982]

He has always been a strike bowler and goes for wickets most of the times. In the process, he would get hit around for runs. I have seen him taking wickets by inviting the batsmen to go for shots. Can't equate those wickets to lucky wickets. Lucky wicket is what Morkel got on the other day (Yuvraj's one). You can't expect every bowler to outfox the batsmen like Zaheer or McGrath do.

[VinodKumar's]

Indraya Singam :smokesmirk::clap::clap:

http://i52.tinypic.com/9i7ds7.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

Dougie :)

http://i53.tinypic.com/1zy8tw7.jpg

[SoftSword]

peter heins'a coach'a pottutangalaa?
rope'ae theriyala...

[VinodKumar's]

ha ha ha ...

[ajaybaskar]

Why did CSK lose 2 points in the Fairplay after the Pune match? Pasanga edhachum vaaya vuttaangala?

[Plum]

varushA varusham nIngaLE Fairplay trophy jeichA epdi? atleast idhaiyAvadhu fix paNNalAmnu mudivu paNNittAngaLO ennavO?

[VinodKumar's]

Raina ... :)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2envwwg.jpg

[ajaybaskar]

CSK, a team that inspires loyalty

Chennai: The holiday crowd filtering into the M.A. Chidambaram stadium before the Men in Yellow take on the Deccan Chargers in Sunday's late fixture is a fairly pampered lot. Attempting to provide persuasive empirical proof as regards something as fickle as the fan's faith is difficult, if not impossible, but Chennai has the numbers to demand such adoration and sometimes even smugness.

Super Kings is, of course, defending its title, and one will have to go back more than a year (March 21, 2010) to recall the team's last defeat at home.

“It is not just that CSK is the most successful IPL side so far or that it has had a great run here at Chepauk. The side is pretty competitive and even the match against Kings XI that it lost, it went to the super over. So it is always exciting.

“Even if Deccan manages to win today, Chennai can be proud of its record and for having entertained the fans,” said Anand Balasubramanian, 29, as he jostled his way into the stadium.

Despite Anand's focus on the entertainment co-efficient, Chennai has been one of the most consistent outfits across seasons, making it to the final and the semifinals in the two editions that it did not claim the trophy.

Teams like Rajasthan and Deccan are former champions, but have finished in the nether half of the table far to often signify substantial progress from season to season.

Rare distinction

Chennai sits on 26 IPL wins (before the match against DC), the most by any team (level with Rajasthan, after its win earlier in the day) across four seasons and shares the distinction of winning the most matches (10) at a single venue with Mumbai Indians.

“Making a habit of winning at home is such a key thing. It keeps the crowd coming, and secondly, it can be such a boost for the players, knowing that they have a great record here. On so many occasions, the team has come back from the dead, defended small totals and it makes for great viewing,” said V. Kalyani, 24, a consultant with a software firm in the city.

“I know Chennai has won the league and the Champions trophy, but it is also great that they are such a well behaved side. Dhoni is always calm and doesn't let things go out of hand.

“The cameras are always on the move and I can't recall a single instance of a Chennai player misbehaving or throwing a tantrum,” said N. Janarthanan, a businessman.

Chennai, incidentally, is a two-time winner of IPL's Fair Play award — a system that lets the on-field umpires rate teams on parameters like adherence to the spirit of the game, respect for the opposition, respect for the laws of the game and respect for the match officials — in 2008 and 2010.

The fans' contingent also includes a fair few that are willing to excuse the team its defeats.

“A win today will take it near the top of the table, but I wouldn't grudge it a loss or two. This is after all a 20-over match and anything can happen.

“The fact that so many of the local boys are a part of the team is very heartening. (Subramaniam) Badrinath, (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Murali) Vijay, Anirudha Srikkanth and even Abhinav Mukund all enjoy great support here and it's nice to see that the players you supported for three years do not suddenly turn up wearing the opposition's colours,” concluded Janarthanan.

[ajaybaskar]

Although CSK has managed to win 3 games in a trot, they arent looking with the same form they had in the last year's edition.

[ajaybaskar]

Statistical highlights: Chennai Super Kings vs Deccan Chargers

CHENNAI: Statistical highlights of the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers on Sunday.

# Suresh Raina has registered 11 fifties in the IPL - a tally exceeded only by Jacques Kallis (13).

# With two sixes, Raina has completed a century of sixes in Twenty20.

# Both Dale Steyn (19.77) and Amit Mishra (22.66) have claimed nine wickets each for Deccan in IPL 4.

# Kumar Sangakkara's tally of 12 dismissals (11 catches + one stumping) in eight matches is the best by a wicketkeeper in IPL 2011.

# Sunny Sohal (56 off 30 balls) recorded his fifty off 24 balls - the joint second fastest in the IPL 4, next only to the 23-ball half-century by Paul Valthaty for Punjab against Chennai. Jesse Ryder had recorded a fifty off 24 balls for Pune against Delhi at Mumbai on April 17.

# Albie Morkel completed 50 wickets in the IPL - 51 at an average of 26.25 in 46 matches.

# Rudra Pratap Singh (56), Pragyan Ojha (55), Shane Warne (55), Irfan Pathan (53), Amit Mishra (51), Albie Morkel and Lasith Malinga (50) are the top wicket-takers in the IPL.

# Pragyan Ojha (3/26) registered his best bowling figures in IPL 4.

# Dhawan and Sohal have shared a stand of 71 for the first wicket - Deccan's best in the IPL 4. The partnership is Deccan Chargers' best for the first wicket against Chennai in the IPL overall.

# Shadab Jakati (2/23) registered his best bowling performance in the IPL 4.

# Michael Hussey tops the run-charts for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 4, aggregating 248 at an average of 49.60 in six matches, including two half-centuries.

# Besides Hussey, three other batsmen have managed to top 200 runs for Chennai Super Kings in the present competition - S Badrinath (240), Murali Vijay (214) and Suresh Raina (212).

# Raina (59 off 35 balls) recorded his highest innings in the IPL 4 - his second fifty.

# Kumar Sangakkara is the first Deccan player to complete 250 runs (ave.31.25) in eight matches in the fourth edition of the IPL.

# No other player, apart from Sangakkara, has amassed 175 in the present competition for Deccan Chargers.

# Doug Bollinger (10 wickets at 11.50 in five matches) and Albie Morkel (10 at 20.70 in seven matches) are the top wicket-takers for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2011.

[Siv.S]

Why did CSK lose 2 points in the Fairplay after the Pune match? Pasanga edhachum vaaya vuttaangala?
yes, Albie evanaiyo thittinaan.. entha match-nnu nyabagam illa...

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/user/Wallpaper/800x600/Wall3_dhoni.jpg

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/user/Wallpaper/800x600/Wall2_dhoni.jpg

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/user/Wallpaper/800x600/Wall10_Raina.jpg

[Kalyasi]

yes, Albie evanaiyo thittinaan.. entha match-nnu nyabagam illa...

Monish Mishra va thitunaan....

[ajaybaskar]

The WI-Pak series is over by May 5th, right? Will Dwayne Bravo join the squad? I prefer replacing Randiv with Du Plessis/Bravo.

[VinodKumar's]

Bravo vantha super ah irrukum ... Morkel ku munnadi erakki vidalam ... 3 sixu confirm :)

[kid-glove]

Du Plessis has to play. Why did we buy him? Would start for most IPL teams. IS Dhoni too obsessed about opener + off-spinner + All-rounder + fast bowler combination from international quota?

[MADDY]

Du Plessis has to play. Why did we buy him? Would start in any other IPL team.

:exactly: he is much more handy than Randiv or Albie

[Plum]

Morkel plays because he is supposed to be the opening seamer. With 51 wickets, who is to convince him otherwise?

Plessis can play in place of Randiv but that would mean Raina and Duplex bowl in every match. Worth tryoing but Dhoni only drops people when they are utterly irredeemable(except if you are Sreesanth). Anirudha is also staying on the basis of that lucky 50 in the opening match. Unless he screws up badly, he will not be dropped.

[Saai]

Dhoni is right in his strategy. It is better to opt for a quality offspinner than to opt for a "ok" all rounder.

Morkel - opening bowler and does a decent job. Good hitter.

[littlemaster1982]

http://oi53.tinypic.com/9tk4sw.jpg

[ajithfederer]

:clap: :D 8-)

http://oi53.tinypic.com/9tk4sw.jpg

[19thmay]

Dhoni full-a manjal thundu pOtrukalaam :lol2:

[ajaybaskar]

Dougie is at 5th position in the highest wicket takers list of 2011. While others have played 8,9 games, he has played only 5. :clap:

[scorpio]

Dhoni-kku right side-la nikkaradhu yaaru? Mugathula tamizh kaLai-yE illa.

[littlemaster1982]

Joginder Sharma :lol:

[scorpio]

Oh...Jogi CSK-la irukkaradhE maRandhu pOchu :oops:

[satissh_r]

Oh...Jogi CSK-la irukkaradhE maRandhu pOchu :oops:

Matchuku poi avana eppadi pakkama vittinga? Oru mukka touser pottutu verum stumpla bowling pottu neraya tharava bowled eduthiruppane :lol2: enna kodumanna avan appadi bowled eduthu ellame full toss la :lol:

[scorpio]

Satissh- :rotfl: enakku kuduppinai illa pOla. Ojha, Harmeet, Ishant ivangaLLam dhaan bowling practice pannittu irundhaanga. Oru vELai jOgi uchi veyyil-layE indha thillaalangadi practice-ai mudichuttan pOla :roll:

Enakku innoru help veNum. I wasn't too satisfied with H Lower stand. Neenga endha stand lerndhu match paartheenga? In your view, which is the best stand for viewing? Naan finals ticket book pannalaamannu yOsichittu irukken.

[satissh_r]

Kudupanaya !?! Punniyam senjurikinga neenga :D

Before renovation I used to watch it in D stand which was pretty good but antha stand ippo E standa mathitanga and the Cost is 20000 :sigh2: Last match I watched was in F upper which was decent but I would recommend you to go for F lower or D lower. If price doesn't matter then go for Pavillion Terrace, for me that is the best view in the entire ground. Post match presentation ellam nalla pakkalam :)

[scorpio]

Thanks Satissh. :-) Sunday anikku F lower and D lower gaali-yaa dhaan irundhadhu. Inikku Hamid has booked in I-upper. Let me ask his experience as well.

[littlemaster1982]

Enakku innoru help veNum. I wasn't too satisfied with H Lower stand. Neenga endha stand lerndhu match paartheenga? In your view, which is the best stand for viewing? Naan finals ticket book pannalaamannu yOsichittu irukken.

Any stands near long on, long off should be good. The stands near midwicket region are not that good for watching.

[scorpio]

LM- Ippadi sonna eppadi? Stand names sollunga.

[littlemaster1982]

http://www.icccwc2011.kyazoonga.com/tickets/images/venues/india-chennai-stadium.gif

D,F or ,I,A,C,G. You might have to sit in the extreme end of I,A,C,G to have a good view.

[scorpio]

Super....thanks a lot LM :-)

[littlemaster1982]

:D

Satissh,

Can you please confirm if this layout is correct? Got this from Kyazoonga (booking site for WC 2011) but as you said D stand is changed to E, I'm slightly confused.

[satissh_r]

Correct master, what you have posted is the updated one :) This picture will help too.

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/images/tickets_stadium_all.jpg

[littlemaster1982]

Woww, this one is more helpful. It didn't come up in google search :twisted:

[satissh_r]

Neenga Super kings site ku pona therinjirukkum ;)

[SoftSword]

adappaavigalaa... kammi velai ticket'e 500rs??? :shock:
appo saadhaarana makkal ellaam cricket paakka pogave mudiyaadhaa?

[littlemaster1982]

Neenga Super kings site ku pona therinjirukkum ;)

Hehe, WC time-la check pannen, appa illa, ippa irukku :mrgreen:

[scorpio]

I think indha rates IPL-kku mattum-nnu. Summa aaduvaangaLaa Cheer leaders? :lol: LM World Cup match-kku pOnaarE, he can confirm WC-kku ticket rates enna-nnu.

[littlemaster1982]

adappaavigalaa... kammi velai ticket'e 500rs??? :shock:
appo saadhaarana makkal ellaam cricket paakka pogave mudiyaadhaa?

Test matches-kku konjam kuraiva kidaikkum. Per day ticket Rs.200 range-la :?

[littlemaster1982]

LM World Cup match-kku pOnaarE, he can confirm WC-kku ticket rates enna-nnu.

Adhu complimentary ticket :mrgreen:

[ajaybaskar]

Will we ever get an opportunity to watch duPlessis playing for CSK?

[SoftSword]

Test matches-kku konjam kuraiva kidaikkum. Per day ticket Rs.200 range-la :?

test'ke 200'raa?
indha ambadhu noorukkellaam ticket kedayadha? below ave people epdi paappaanga?

GM: indha ettanaa oruvaaikkellaam thengaa kedayadha?
CM: oruvaaikkellaam thengaa pattthai dhaan..

[ajaybaskar]

Master,

Testku 125 Rs ticket irukku..

[Plum]

Dhonikku oru murattu kALai turbanum pOttu vuttirundhA Super-A irundhirukkum. CSK-vOda Ad Agenciesku oru imaginationE illai. Podhuvaga en manasu thangam-nu Dhoniya vechu picturise paNNA, CSK FanslAm epdi paalAbishekam, Archanai ellAm paNNI maraNa mass kAmippAnga? konjam kUda imagination ilAdha Ad Agencies - whistle pOdunnu uppu chappillAma northie cliche-perception-la ads paNdrAnga :evil:

[SoftSword]

namma csk supporters yaarukkachum video editing, audio mixing therinjaaa, naamalae andha song'oda oru video mix panni release pannalaamae...
fb'la uttaa orae naal'la ulagam poora famous aagidum...

[ajaybaskar]

CSK vs RR: Statistical Highlights

Chennai: Following is the statistical highlights of the Indian Premier League match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings here on Wednesday.

Shadab Jakati (2/22) has produced his best bowling figures in the fourth edition of the IPL.

Michael Hussey has been adjudged the Man of the Match for the ninth time in Twenty20 - his fourth in the IPL.

Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina have shared a stand of 137 for the second wicket - Chennai Super Kings` highest for any wicket in the fourth edition of the IPL.

The partnership has equalled the previous highest for the second wicket for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay were associated in an unbroken partnership of 137 against Kolkata at Chennai on April 13, 2010.

Albie Morkel, with 2 for 24, has taken his wickets` tally to 12 wickets at 19.25 runs apiece in eight matches in the IPL 4 - the highest for Chennai Super Kings.

Albie Morkel has bagged 53 wickets at 25.71 runs apiece in 47 matches - the highest for Chennai in the IPL overall.

Suresh Raina has become the first batsman to total 1600 runs in the IPL, amassing 1648 at an average of 37.45 in 55 matches.

Raina`s feat of twelve half-centuries in the IPL is exceeded only by Jacques Kallis` 13.

Chennai Super Kings have won 32 matches - the highest in the IPL.

Chennai`s success % of 59.09 is the best by any team in the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings became the third team after Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders to record six victories in the IPL 4.

Michael Hussey has completed his 500 runs in the IPL, aggregating 532 at an average of 59.11 in 14 matches, including one hundred and three fifties.

Hussey (327 at 65.40 in seven games) and Tendulkar (327 at 65.40 in eight games) are the top run-scorers in the IPL 4 before the commencement of Mumbai-Pune game today.

Chennai Super Kings` eight-wicket magnificent triumph is their biggest over Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, outstripping the seven-wicket win at Kimberley on May 9, 2009.

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have won four IPL games against each other.

Chennai have won all five matches played at Chepauk in the fourth edition of the IPL.

Rahul Dravid (66 off 51 balls) has recorded his first fifty in the IPL 4 - his fifth in the IPL.

Dravid is the first batsman to complete 200 runs for Rajasthan Royals in the fourth editionof the IPL, aggregating 242 at an average of 30.25 in eight innings.

Doug Bollinger has managed to take ten wickets at 14.30 runs apiece in six games - the second highest for Chennai in the present edition of the IPL.

[kid-glove]

Will we ever get an opportunity to watch duPlessis playing for CSK?

Unfortunately, it looks seemingly impossible.

Randiv'lam oru specialist spinner :sigh2:

[ajaybaskar]

I guess MSD will pick du Plessis for the next match. I believe that his economy rate would be better than Randhiv.

[SoftSword]

same situation.
why chawla picked over ashwin?
why pathan picked over raina?

back home they call it msd instinct.

[Plum]

Raghavan instinct led to his associates being murdered
Mahendran instinct will kill the careers of ashwin et al?

[SoftSword]

mukkiyamaana neratthula ashwin and raina'va kondu vandhaplayae...
adhadhukku oru time irukkullaa?

[ajaybaskar]

New pitch awaits CSK

Calcutta: Like in songs, getting a perfect ‘pitch’ elevates the level of performance in cricket as well. It’s not surprising then that the organisers and teams spend a lot of time in pursuit of such a pitch.

After five IPL-IV matches and captains’ criticisms, the sixth match at the Eden will be played on a fresh strip. The Kolkata Knight Riders will host the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday and have decided to put an end to the controversial pitch-saga by choosing a new wicket.

The Eden track has been in the line of fire since the Knights played their first home match of IPL-IV, against the Deccan Chargers, on April 11. Adam Gilchrist, Chargers’ captain and Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne had criticised the pitch’s quality.

Kochi Tuskers’ Brad Hodge, who played a key role in humbling the Knights on Thursday, joined the chorus of criticism when he called the Eden wicket “sub-standard” on Wednesday.

The groundsmen, who were seen watering and rolling the would-be used pitch on Thursday, informed that it was the Knights’ wish that the pitch be changed for Saturday’s match.

“Before they (the Knights) left for the away matches, they had instructed us to get this new pitch ready… We are working accordingly,” one of the groundsmen said.

“There were complaints that the pitch was not yielding runs… How will it be good for batsmen if it is being used for so many matches? No matter how much we work on it, it won’t yield the desired results,” he added.

In fact, according to sources, the Knights were offered the new pitch for their last home match, against the Kings XI Punjab, last Saturday. But they had declined the offer. “What can we do? It’s their choice,” the source said.

Interestingly, the pitch to be used on Saturday was used in the World Cup match between Ireland and the Netherlands. The match, won by Ireland, had produced 613 runs! “Don’t worry about runs, there will be plenty of them on Saturday,” one of the groundsmen assured.

But is it all about runs? Tackling the Super Kings’ three-pronged spin attack — R. Ashwin, Shadab Jakati and Suraj Randiv — wouldn’t have been easy on the earlier track, which was low and slow. Only the Knights know the answer.

[ajaybaskar]

OLD MEMORIES

http://i53.tinypic.com/2a791qq.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2a9xhft.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2m6sk1h.jpg

[ajaybaskar]

http://i52.tinypic.com/2ev7wip.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/zmyvsn.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/e80r2t.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/29z1zja.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

Parthiv patel oru ponnu kooda aaduraanae yaaru antha ponnu :twisted:

[Plum]

What is Faf Du Plessis doing? (http://www.supersport.com/cricket/blogs/faf-du-plessis/A_brief_entertaining_cameo)



I’ve been dying to get on the field and make a contribution. So, I’ve been pushing my teammates to take a break and let me come on and field. At last, Dougie Bollinger had to come off and go to the toilet and on I went on to the field against the Chargers. What happens? The very first ball I’m on the field, White hits the ball down my throat at long-off. I was back off the field directly after that, but it’s fair to say it was a brief, but entertaining little cameo. It felt great to make a small contribution and it actually started their collapse, in our eventual 19-run victory. But, perhaps the best part is that I picked up the award for the catch-of-the-game. It’s worth about 2 000 US dollars and it’s quite funny that I snuck in and stole someone’s money, with just one ball!




Having not got a starting place in any of Chennai’s games so far, I’ve been doing a fair amount of 12th man duty. Due to the big squad, there’s usually about six guys sharing the 12th man duties and everyone is pretty good about it, except Scott Styris. We think he’s trying to be part of the management team, so he’ll catch balls and hit balls, while the rest of us are running around doing the dirty work. There’s a theory that he’s got his eye on a coaching job, so we’ve given him quite a bit of stick. In fact, myself and Tim Southee clapped the other day when he brought drinks on for the first time!
What's with average New Zealand players and their eye on coaching jobs?

[SoftSword]

sennaikku 4th position dhaan pola...

[Plum]

Tomorrow it is Chennai's turn to lose in Jaipur so even 4th place is only until tomorrow.
If the match is completely washed out, one pointAvadhu thEththikkalAm. But varuna bhagavan has been steadfastly against Dhoni this year so if rain comes, it will only favour Warne :(

[Kalyasi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=719MY29cIC0&feature=player_embedded

[ajaybaskar]

2/0 - Suresh Raina’s figures in the match. He became first bowler to take two wickets without conceding a run in an IPL match.

[SoftSword]

ajay, edho figure photo podreenganu paakka vandhaen... :evil:

[VinodKumar's]

Indraya singam ... looks like a West Indies player (enakku Viv Richards maari irunthuchu ... Yaarum sandaiku vanthura vendam )

http://i52.tinypic.com/9krnrs.jpg

[directhit]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/8277524.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/8280205.cms

[kid-glove]

Pity about Badri's runout sacrifice. He'd have averaged above 100 in IPL. More than Gayle. Still got a brilliant 87.25 avg.

[VinodKumar's]

Saha :)

http://i56.tinypic.com/evb8ki.jpg

[SoftSword]

ennadaa bata ivlo closea pudichirukkanae, offside velayadradhu kastamenu appove doubt aanaen...
just checked his wagon wheel offside:14 runs, legside: 32 runs...

bloody fleming... indha maadhiri basics ellaam sollitthara maataana?? :evil:

[kid-glove]

Plum, you're in Softie's handle.

[ajaybaskar]

The real test is on the 22nd. It will be the best preparation for CSK going into the all important playoffs.

[ajaybaskar]

Little Stats about CSK. Total Matches Played 56, Won - 32, Lost 23, NR 1. Whopping Winning % of 57.14. The highest by any IPL team. In addition to this, 1 IPL title, 1 CL title, 4 Semi's appearance. The most consistent IPL team. And on a Closing note, we have the highest NRR in 2011 and we are on top of the table...... Beat This.

[SoftSword]

Plum, you're in Softie's handle.

enna solringa?

[kid-glove]

enna solringa?

Nevermind.

[SoftSword]

usual'aa apdi thaan utruven... idhula ulagatthukku(enakku) edho solla varingalo'nu nenachu kaetaen :)
nevermind.

[ajaybaskar]

Apart from getting CSK a berth in the playoffs, yesterday's 'sappa' match proved vital in 2 more aspects.

CSK has won 7 out of 7 matches at home during the league stages. This feat has never been achieved before in IPL.

R Ashwin became the most economical bowler in IPL's history.

[SoftSword]

parthiv patel kaasu vaangittarnu oru complaint irukku... adha patthi neenga enna nenakkireenga ajay?

[ajaybaskar]

Parthiv Patel ellam catch ozhunga pudichaadhan kaasu vangittannu artham. Vitta KTK players concentration'ai disturb panradhukku andha black dogku kooda kaasu koduthutaaru NS apdinnu koovuvaanga..

[kid-glove]

That extra innings show host saying 'mind it' like in finolex Ad. :sigh2:

[ajaybaskar]

United by the colours of CSK

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_horizontal/article-images/CSK_0.jpg.crop_display.jpg

Brand Chennai Super Kings and brand Dhoni are set to soar once again. It’s the final week of IPL-4 and fans are really looking forward to see their local kings defend the title.

The whisper is the Kings are indeed kings at home in a season in which they have a 7-0 home record, unprecedented in the IPL.

Apparently, the Chepauk stadium’s vaastu consultant has got it bang on with all the elements so favouring the home team that visitors have to be twice as good to win here. And thanks to Kolkata Knight Riders going down in a thriller to Mumbai Indians on Sunday night, CSK are second in the table, which is a huge advantage this season.

If Dhoni’s men can’t topple the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai on Tuesday in the semi-final, they get another chance to get into the title round via the second eliminator. That match will be played at home on Friday, which is probably a second good reason why fans are betting on Dhoni’s men with increased vigour.

The cricket overdose may have taken some sheen off IPL-4 at the start, which was too close to the thrilling finale of the World Cup, but as the final nears there is bound to be renewed interest. The CSK merchandise is flying off the shelves now.

CSK’s cheerleaders may be the modest types who appear as if they have come off a late night pyjama party. They are not the glam girls of the pom-pom kind.

However, they will also be part of the big entertainment mix this weekend in the city when Chepauk will be filled to the brim with fans, many of them decked out in the bright yellow of CSK.

[SoftSword]

[SIZE="5"]Apparently, the Chepauk stadium’s vaastu consultant has got it bang on with all the elements so favouring the home team that visitors have to be twice as good to win here.
seruppaala adikkanum ivanungala ellaam...

[ajaybaskar]

NS is known for his vaastu beliefs. Heard that he opted for a particular table in the corner during the auctions.

[SoftSword]

panam vechirukkavan vaasthu, koosthu edhu venaa paakkattum.... adhukkaga selavum pannattum... avan panamaachum veliya varum...
en kovam, indha vasthu paakkuradha polappaa vechirukkkavan melayum, kaasu illadhavanum kadan vaangi, irukkura veedayum idichu thirumba katrenu theruvula nikkiraangalae, avunga melayum dhaan.

[ajaybaskar]

A few days' rest and food poisoning

23 May 2011, 05:41:12 PM
Posted by Faf du Plessis

So, we’re into the IPL play-offs, as the defending champions should be, and my guys are playing good cricket. Top of the log, as it stands, but still plenty of hard work ahead.

We’re in good shape and even better off, now that we’ve just enjoyed a few days rest away from cricket. As mentioned in my previous column, I had a couple of days in Fisherman’s Cove, with Albie Morkel, Tim Southee, Scott Styris and his wife and daughter, Dougie Bollinger, Mike Hussey, Stephen Fleming and a couple of the Indian team officials, including the owner of the Chennai Super Kings.

It really was an unbelievable trip and the perfect getaway from cricket. It was about an hour’s drive from where we stay in Chennai. It’s a five-star resort on the beach. We booked into great apartments all next to each other and spent most of our time in this massive pool, with a water bar inside it. We could sit on chairs, in the pool, around the bar and that’s where we sat, enjoying a few drinks, chilling out, playing some music and relaxing. In the evening, we enjoyed an amazing buffet dinner on the beach.

The guys got stuck into some incredible seafood, although I had to be a little careful, as I’m allergic to shellfish. It was a really nice dinner, a couple of bottles of red wine, next to the sea, playing some guitar music and chilling in the sand. It doesn’t get any better. Albie, Tim and myself ended the evening by running into the waves and having a bit of a dip. We were a little bit braver then, you see.

The next day, we had brunch and then headed back to Chennai. If I had to liken Fisherman’s Cove to anything back home, I’d have to say it’s a bit like Mozambique, just because it’s so remote and away from everything else. It was just great to have some time away from the craziness of the IPL.

Back in Chennai, we’ve got a busy time ahead and there’ll be no taking our foot off the gas and resting players. I know that some of you are interested in whether or not I’m going to get a game, but the plan is to finish in the top two, after the round robin stage. So, with the team playing so well, I’m not anticipating playing and I’m fine with that, because the team is in such good shape.

Just looking at the win over the Kochi Tuskers the other night – I, unfortunately, didn’t even get to do my 12th man fielding duties. That’s because I was completely ‘man down’. We went for dinner the night before and I had the Lamb Shank, which didn’t prove to be a good choice. After going to bed, I spent the rest of the evening in the toilet and by the next morning, I had to call the team manager and ask him to get a doctor.

Food poisoning was the diagnosis, which wasn’t too much of a surprise and I spent the rest of the day in bed. But, when Flem heard about it, he told me it was best to just sit out. So, I spent the evening in the changeroom and it was good to see the boys win, once again. Fortunately, also, Tim didn’t get on the field, so he didn’t take my fielding limelight away from me!

Before I go, just a return to our time at Fisherman’s Cove. I was introduced to Mike Hussey’s alter ego, who made an appearance after a few drinks. It was quite hysterical, actually, as he’s a completely different person and incredibly funny. A really interesting character and suffice to say that the rest of the squad are now aware of his alter ego and that’s the name he goes by!

[directhit]

NS is known for his vaastu beliefs. Heard that he opted for a particular table in the corner during the auctions. ivan okkaranumnaave vaasthu paathu dhaan pola...

[VENKIRAJA]

So, now Kutty thala raina will be the captain for the WI tour? Another captain in CSK :smokesmirk:

[SoftSword]

now badhri has a good chance to play all the matches...
hope he makes it count.

[ajaybaskar]

Look how they shine...

Does the colour of a sporting team's attire have any say in the final outcome? Folks back at the fag end of the 19th century certainly thought so. Herbert Kilpin, an English expatriate in Italy, when deciding on the team colours for his new football club, said, “We are a team of devils. Our colours are red as fire and black to invoke fear in our opponents!”

Literally translated in Italian, the two colours form the word Rossoneri. If you haven't guessed by now, the club the Nottingham-native founded in 1899 was AC Milan, and their red and black jerseys still invoke the fear of the devil in the minds of their rivals.

Cut to the 21st century. Does the logic still hold true now? A closer look at Chennai and the city's beloved defending IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, and you'd believe so.

Kings at home

This much is certain. To end CSK's reign as champions, their opponents in the IPL-4 grand finale at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday will have to do what no team has done this season — beat Dhoni & Co on their home turf.

What is not certain is the reason behind CSK's perfect home record. The captaincy of MS Dhoni, the batting of the top-order led by Suresh Raina, or the bowling of Doug Bollinger and R Ashwin? While any of those can pass for valid answers, could the real explanation be simpler?

What is the link between the bandana covering the bald dome of percussionist Sivamani, the ice cream they serve at the media centre in Chepauk and the autos and public transport buses in Chennai? They're all yellow. The devil lies in the detail and the CSK management has left nothing to chance. Serving mango ice cream because of its yellowish shade, that's called down to the last detail.

On match-days, the stadium is drowned in a sea of yellow. From the clothes of the spectators to the flags they're waving, everything has a golden hue. The Oakley sunglasses of the players also come with a yellowish tinge.

Yellow fortress

Together all these elements conspire to turn Chepauk into a yellow fortress, the walls of which prove impenetrable for the visiting teams. The only thing missing is Chris Martin and his band Coldplay. Don't be surprised if next season, he comes down to Chepauk to do a special rendition of the band's breakthrough single Yellow. Okay, maybe that's stretching it too far.

But, make no mistake, come Saturday, with a sea of yellow around them, it will hardly come as a surprise if CSK's opponents are left yellow-bellied.

[ajaybaskar]

Albie: SA’s richest player?

http://stbjp.msn.com/i/FF/7BB876D6C41C48B126C39E5A78DE.jpg

Cape Town – He may not always be wanted by his country for limited-overs cricket, and many would argue that he is under-appreciated, but Albie Morkel may well be laughing all the way to the bank as South Africa’s wealthiest player in current earnings capacity.

And if that is indeed his status, the Chennai Super Kings, his long-time Indian Premier League franchise, would no doubt argue that he is worth every penny.

Unassuming, Vereeniging-born Morkel again demonstrated on Tuesday night that he counts among the very best Twenty20 “finishers” on the planet, as he played a major role in powering Chennai into a guaranteed final spot at this year’s IPL; they saw off Ray Jennings’s Bangalore Royal Challengers charges in a thrilling first qualifier at Mumbai.

There was still an awful lot to do as Morkel took to the crease at 131 for four in pursuit of a stiff 176 for victory, and only 20 balls to do it in. But with man-of-the-match Suresh Raina (73 not out) handily on song at the other end too, his whirlwind 28 not out off just 10 balls, at a strike rate of 280 and including three sixes, saw his side over the line.

Apart from looking entirely mentally unflappable, as he so often does, Morkel has that uncanny ability to somehow get his bat beneath perfectly decent-length balls and blast them into the stands, which is the ultimate way to unnerve even the steeliest of bowlers.

It is true that he earlier took some “tap” on the bowling front – this is often viewed as his biggest drawback in Proteas terms – but bowlers are there to mostly be flogged mercilessly anyway in this format, and as long as he keeps on winning or influencing games with the blade in the fashion he does, he will stay a hugely valuable and crowd-pleasing entity.

In national and domestic contractual terms, there will be bigger South African earners than Morkel, but he is smack in the epicentre of the massively lucrative, Indian-dominated T20 landscape, playing as he does for the IPL team with the best win percentage since the tournament’s inception in 2008.

A couple of weeks shy of his 30th birthday, Morkel is sipping on the consistently heady fruits of representing CSK – remember that he has been loyal to them from the very start of the IPL, when he first fetched US$675 000 at the auction, and he was the only South African retained by any single franchise at this year’s one.

His T20 career for them alone is busy making him a lot more than “comfortable” for the rest of his life, assuming that he doesn’t fritter away his earnings on Lamborghinis and Moet (and those who know him will confirm he is hardly that type).

Bear in mind that Chennai, the defending champions anyway, are now in line again for the winning IPL prize money this year of US$1.5m (the runners-up get half that).

Even more importantly in cash terms, Morkel’s team are also assured of a place once more in the annual Champions League Twenty20 event, scheduled for India in September.

In last year’s Wanderers final, the Chennai “mean machine” beat South Africa’s Warriors by eight wickets, with Morkel very much at his post for the winners even if he wasn’t required to bat in the one-sided affair.

Three Indian IPL sides traditionally feature in the Champions League, which offers total prize money in excess of US$6m, with the winners taking home $2.5m - the biggest team booty in the game.

The brand value of the Chennai Super Kings, if Wikipedia has it right, is estimated to be around US$70m.

Yes, there are few better cricketing boots to be in than Johannes Albertus Morkel’s right now ...

[ajaybaskar]

Gritty Ashwin confident of playing in final

Every time you see the replay of the ball thudding into and off R Ashwin’s left temple, you can't help but wince.

Suresh Raina (right) takes a close look at Ravichandran Ashwin’s temple after he was hit hard by a shot from Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Saurabh Tiwary. AFPIt was the kind of blow that could have inflicted serious damage, but fortunately for Ashwin – not to mention his family, friends, well-wishers and the Chennai Super Kings – and striker Saurabh Tiwary himself, the brave Tamil Nadu off-spinner is none the worse for the hit, and should in all probability turn up for the defending champions in the final of IPL IV on Saturday night. The incident in question happened off the last ball of Ashwin’s spell in Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede stadium on Tuesday night, when a ferociously struck straight drive by the left-handed Tiwary struck him flush on the temple before bounding away to long-on.

Ashwin immediately went down in a heap, but quickly assuaged fears by getting back up on his feet, walking away off the park with the physio, and then watching with his head bandaged from the dug-out as his team-mates pulled off an improbable win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

As is the norm in such cases, Ashwin didn’t go for a scan until a few hours had elapsed after the incident. The CT scan was eventually performed at 1 in the morning, and the result was encouraging in that it revealed no serious injury.

Advised to rest

Ashwin has been advised total rest for the next couple of days, but sounded in high spirits as he looked ahead to the title clash at the MA Chidambaram stadium, in front of his home crowd, against as yet undecided opponents. “To have three days’ gap ahead of the final is a massive help,” remarked Ashwin, silently grateful that the Super Kings made it to the title round at the first possible instance. “The physio has said there is nothing to worry. A final call on whether I can play or not will be taken by the doctor, but from my side, I am quite confident of playing.”

The Tiwary strike might have stirred Ashwin up a bit, but he surely is not shaken. “It was a very hard hit,” he recalled.

“I tried to get my hands to the ball and it did graze my finger, but it was too late. I was dazed for a few minutes after I was hit, but it felt fine after a while. The pain was bearable and the swelling is also under control.”

Ashwin has been a massive influence for the Super Kings, bowling without nerves in the Power Play overs, picking up crucial wickets and still going at an admirable 6.30 runs per over. Already this season, he has taken 17 wickets in 15 matches, and has every reason therefore to want to play on Saturday.

[venkkiram]

-delete---

[ajaybaskar]

Super Kings happy KKR are out of way (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2011/news/Super-Kings-happy-KKR-are-out-of-way/articleshow/8594105.cms)

[kid-glove]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLapZYmX1CA

What is Flemo doing with his hand?

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/Shaping%20Up%20For%20The%20Big%20Battle/GalleryImage/46027301-f288-415c-8ec7-89f8db7cb645.JPG
Chill out……Suresh Raina sharing a light moment with fielding coach Steve Rixon and chief coach Stephen Fleming
http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/Shaping%20Up%20For%20The%20Big%20Battle/GalleryImage/d46599dc-63a2-4c57-a8e3-2d37e013ecff.JPG
Dhoni in talks with BCCI secretary Mr N Srinivasan (right) and TNCA secretary Mr Kasi Viswanathan.

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/Shaping%20Up%20For%20The%20Big%20Battle/GalleryImage/11e79b80-cb4e-4a8d-8af3-81cd645a055b.JPG
Me too…..Skipper Dhoni tries a hand at his bowling skills during pre-final training at Chepauk

[SoftSword]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/Shaping%20Up%20For%20The%20Big%20Battle/GalleryImage/11e79b80-cb4e-4a8d-8af3-81cd645a055b.JPG
Me too…..Skipper Dhoni tries a hand at his bowling skills during pre-final training at Chepauk

spin podraapla pola....
ashwin irukkanlaa??

[directhit]

Interesting Fact : CSK not dismissed ever in this year's tournament :clap: :clap:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/133500/133506.jpg


http://www.espncricinfo.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/133500/133511.jpg

[Movie Cop]

CSK is really the champion side deserving to lift the title. As a team, we have been miles ahead of the rest of IPL teams and are kind of in a league of our own.

3 IPL finals (w/ two back-to-back titles and 1 champins league title) and 1 IPL semifinals - Chennai Super Kings enough said. :smokesmirk: Rest of the teams - please grow up nest year: :lol2:

[Movie Cop]

Some funny social networking quotes:

"IPL is a tournament in which 9 teams work hard, for close to 2 months, to fight for the honor of playing Chennai Super kings in the finals". :lol2:

"Cricket is a funny game played between 2 teams of eleven players each in wich MS Dhoni always wins." :smokesmirk:

[ajaybaskar]

Champions they were.. Champions they stay.. :clap:

RCB was not given a split second to breathe and I doubt if they were prepared for the assault from the CSK opening pair, given the form of Huss/Vijay.

[ajaybaskar]

IPL final highest-rated match of tournament

MUMBAI: Saturday's final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clocked a television rating of 5.8 which is higher than last year's final, said aMap, an overnight television audience measurement agency. This is also the highest-rated match of the entire tournament which started on April 8.

The final, which was won by Dhoni's CSK men for the second year running, recorded a 123% jump on the average ratings of the entire tournament which stood at 2.6. aMap also said in a statement that the average reach and time spent by audiences also increased substantially for the final when compared to the overall tournament.

"Normally the ratings rebound towards the final. It is typically a U-shaped trend in all the previous editions of the IPL as well. This was an expected rating from an IPL final. In fact, it would have been higher had it been a close finish. The ratings of the final will be comparable to the World Cup finals," said R Gowthaman, leader, South-Asia, Mindshare, the country's largest media agency.

The ratings of the IPL-4 final from TAM Sports, which is subscribed by most media planners and advertisers are expected next week.

"The match enjoyed a net reach of 19.12% which is a jump of 36% compared to an average net reach of 14% throughout the tournament this year," said Jiniti Shah, VP, aMap.

aMap also said with 55 minutes of time spent per viewer in the final, it was 40% higher than the average time spent of 33 minutes per viewer during the course of the IPL-4.

[ajaybaskar]

Camaraderie and commitment are Super Kings' hallmark

Chennai: The Chennai Super Kings cricketers were swarmed by glittering confetti, emotions swirled around, the cameras whirred and the flashbulbs clicked. Beyond the boundary, the crowd roared.

The popular franchise and its supporters will freeze the frame.

CSK's second title victory in the Indian Premier League was a culmination of a campaign driven by team-spirit. A wonderful sense of bonding was unmistakable in Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side.

He is a strong captain with his finger on the pulse of the game. There is this calmness about him that has a soothing influence on his team during tense moments.

The man's stamina — both mentally and physically — is astonishing. When the need arose, Dhoni dismissed the bowling ruthlessly.

He also, shouldering enormous workload, kept wickets capably and handled the pressures of leading the side during the hectic competition where teams criss-crossed the country.

Winning is a lot about self-belief. CSK looked adversity in the eye, clinched thrillers at the death. Situations threw up heroes.

Suresh Raina's blazing onslaught on the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers when everything appeared lost for CSK in the first qualifier in Mumbai reflected the resolve in the side.

Murali Vijay not only has a great sense of timing but can also time his performances to suit the occasion. His explosive 95 in the final was an innings where he banished the fear of failure, the biggest scourge of them all.

A batsman cast in the classical mould, Vijay's transformation when he plays Twenty20 cricket is stunning. He clears his front leg in a jiffy and powers the ball a long way between the long-on and mid-wicket fence.

The right-left opening combination of Vijay and Michael Hussey disrupted the line of the RCB bowlers in the summit clash. The RCB attack was hardly allowed to settle into a rhythm. The bowling was dismantled clinically during the match-winning 159-run association. Hussey is more than an accomplished batsman for CSK. The affable Aussie, always willing to share his knowledge, has also donned the role of a mentor to some of the younger members of the side.

Hussey's welcoming smile and words of wisdom have been of immense value to CSK.

Someone like S. Badrinath has learnt much from Hussey. With a heart larger than his frame, Badri was at the heart of some stirring fightbacks for CSK. He relishes the sniff of a duel.

R. Ashwin's bag of tricks and the intelligence with which he mixed his deliveries stood out. He has this precious ability to operate at difficult stages of the innings, is undaunted by reputations.

The manner in which he foxed dangerman Chris Gayle with a quicker, straighter delivery in the title clash will be remembered for long.

Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati picked himself up after a stumble in the middle of the league phase and off-spinner Suraj Randiv, before he joined the Sri Lankan team in England, impressed with his turn and bounce.

CSK was never short of commitment. Left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger bustled in to send down some game-changing spells. All-rounder Albie Morkel bowled and batted in a manner that was robust and paceman Tim Southee made a difference at the beginning of the competition.

When provided an opportunity, the younger players such as Aniruddha Srikkanth and Wriddhiman Saha contributed. With foreign players such as Scott Styris and Faf du Plesiss in the squad, the side possessed tremendous bench strength.

Importantly, coach Stephen Fleming had the right chemistry with Dhoni. CSK was precise in its planning and execution. And the side fielded marvellously well too.

CSK was a popular winner. The side also took home the Fair Play award.

[ajaybaskar]

The dream merchant

He's been staying at the Chennai hotel from the time the Indian Premier League started but has hardly ever been spotted in the lobby or around the restaurants. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has mastered the art of almost staying invisible. It's not by choice. His charisma is such that anytime he steps out, he cannot avoid being mobbed. To survive in his new avatar, he has mastered all the tricks of living the life of a celebrity. A few hours after adding more magnetism to his persona, Dhoni was on the flight to Mumbai, and had the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on, his eyes shut and the cap pulled down over them. No eye contact is the best way to keep admirers at bay.

The fairytale story of MS Dhoni continues. The successful IPL title defence with Chennai Super Kings is the latest feather in his cap. Even by Dhoni's standards, it has been a crazy year. The brilliant fightback to achieve the first-ever drawn Test series in South Africa and the glorious World Cup campaign preceded the great IPL run.

"He makes for an amazing case study..., coming from Jharkhand and the way he has understood the Indian set up,” said Kiran More, who as the chief selector gave him his international break.

“He keenly observed the captains he played under, like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble as well as the legends Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. He picked up the important points but maintained his style.

Fairytale run

“Dhoni is writing his own script. He’s not just lucky; he knows what he’s doing; it’s the hallmark of his captaincy. He knows which player to pick, whom to back, and how best to use him.

“S Badrinath and Albie Morkel are classic cases, both don’t figure in international cricket. The best example during this IPL was CSK’s qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore. It looked like an impossible chase as at one stage they needed 105 to win in 48 balls, but they never panicked.

“Badrinath and Suresh Raina laid the foundation after the early exit of the openers and then Dhoni got his order spot on, timing his and Albie’s entry to perfection. That is the stuff legends are made of,” said More.

What more?

Having led his team to the No 1 Test rank, won the biggest prize in one-day and twenty20 cricket, what's there for Dhoni to achieve?

“I want him to develop some more cricketers for the Indian team and lead a smooth transition as in the recent future, there’s going to be a big void after Tendulkar, Laxman and Dravid hang their boots. After 2012 we may have a totally different team. He now has to build a team for the 2015 World Cup,” adds More.

[ajaybaskar]

Chennai home to IPL final again in 2012

CHENNAI: Chennai partied like never before on Saturday night, with celebrations around Chepauk and the Marina beach going on well past midnight, and now it seems there might be more revelry in store. Not only did cricket buffs here get to see Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings retain their crown, the city may get to see the IPL 5 final too following decisions made by the IPL governing council.

The IPL committee has taken a decision that the team that wins the tournament will get to host the final the following year. "The IPL commission has taken a decision on those lines and as of now, next year's final will be in Chennai," a senior BCCI functionary told TOI. This is, of course, an added incentive for franchisees to go for maximum. Earlier, there used to be a bidding process for the IPL final, with the host-status going to the highest bidder.

CSK players are elated that the final will be back in Chennai. "It's a big boost for us. We have played well right through the tournament here and we know how to go about it," a senior CSK player said. The champions won all the eight matches they played at the Chepauk this year, with only a couple of games against Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers going down to the wire.

Dhoni left 'a bit disappointed'!

On Saturday night, as the team partied hard after the game, skipper MS Dhoni sat glued to a TV set at a nightclub, watching Barcelona take on Manchester United in the Champions League final. "Dhoni is a big United fan. So he was a bit disappointed after his favourite team lost. But then, the mood in the camp was such that the disappointment didn't linger long," a source said.

CSK's owners too are delighted with the team's performance. TOI has learnt that the management will put in another Rs 10 crore - in addition to the Rs 10 crore IPL prize money the team won on Saturday - and the entire booty will be distributed among players and support staff.

However, all the players looked tired and with flights to catch on Sunday, the celebrations were called off earlier than planned. After all, quite a few players in the team will be leaving for the Caribbean soon to take on the Windies.

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/The%20Big%20Party%20At%20MAC/GalleryImage/1fe17e82-2a6d-4f79-8bc5-1e73ed21ae68.JPG
http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/Gallery/The%20Big%20Party%20At%20MAC/GalleryImage/7b1f7c95-010d-4b3e-8754-a38e8202826f.JPG

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/gallery/Coronation%20At%20Chepauk!/GalleryImage/22cec9b9-4daf-4df5-942d-bffff91b3d01.jpg
http://drop.ndtv.com/albums/SPORTS/final_ipl/pg_26.jpg
http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/gallery/Coronation%20At%20Chepauk!/GalleryImage/0d54557b-89c0-41a3-97d9-6d31c35e44a6.jpg
http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/gallery/Coronation%20At%20Chepauk!/GalleryImage/fe2b63a3-fdee-47c5-a4d1-4b4f52cceafc.jpg

[ajaybaskar]

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IPL 2011: AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE 30 May 2011, 12:55:17 PM

Posted by Faf du Plessis

I have to be honest. As I write this, I’m not feeling the strongest I’ve ever felt, after one of the bigger parties I’ve ever had. In fact, I haven’t had much sleep, but, I think it’s justified – we’re IPL champions, and everyone at the Chennai Super Kings has worked incredibly hard to get here.

It really is the cherry on top, after four months in India, combining the World Cup and the IPL.

Although it’s still pretty soon after the event and the final, I’m already reflecting on what has been an amazing couple of months. Initially, the most important thing for me was being part of a championship side, and with Chennai being the defending champions, I knew I would be involved in a professional set-up. That definitely proved to be the case, as we were definitely the best side during the league stages and then in the final, we just played the perfect game.

I’ve obviously learnt a lot, playing with world-class players and an experienced coach, and if I look at this team, what stands out is that at crucial times, the big players step up and perform.

Someone like Murali Vijay is a great example. Last year, he was an absolute superstar and one of the players of the tournament. This year, he didn’t have as good a season, but when it mattered, he rose to the occasion, and on the biggest stage, he produced one of the better innings you’ll ever see.

It was the same with someone like Mike Hussey. Two games before, against Bangalore, Zaheer Khan got rid of him cheaply, but in the final, he came good with another unbelievable innings. For me, that’s something that stood out. When it comes to semifinals and finals, it’s essential that your key players are in form and are pulling their weight.

Obviously, we were so fortunate that we had so many guys who were match-winners and that’s a credit to the management staff who bought the players. Someone like Ashwin, for me, is the best spinner in the world at the moment. He’s just unbelievable, with so many different variations, and he doesn’t give you anything to hit.

I want to take you through the experience of match day on the day of the final.

The start of it was pretty similar to any other match day, with management focusing on all the guys relaxing and not getting out in the sun too much. So, time was spent in and around the hotel until about 5pm, when we gathered in the team room and our media manager played a video for us, showing how everyone in the squad had contributed to us getting to the final.

After that, it was something a little different, but rather special. Our coach, Stephen Fleming, called us into another room and we had a ceremony, handing out the team shirts and saying a few words about just enjoying the moment. It was a really nice touch and actually quite emotional, as everyone could see just how far we’ve come as a team. We’ve all gotten quite close and become something of a family.

Heading out to the bus, we got a great reception from the fans outside the hotel and then headed to the ground. When we got there, we actually had a bit more time on our hands than usual, so we relaxed, had some dinner and then slowly headed out to do our warm-ups. Everyone went through their routines and, as I wasn’t in the starting line-up, I concentrated on going through my fielding drills and making sure I was ready, if needed.

We knew that the toss would play a role – not crucial, but it was a good one to win, as runs on the board in Chennai are always valuable. Thereafter, it was, as I’ve mentioned, a near-perfect batting effort, based on an outstanding opening partnership from Hussey and Vijay.

In the bowling department, the guys stuck to their plans. I even got a chance to do some fielding, going on for three overs after Albie Morkel got stung by a bee! It was just wonderful to play some direct part in things, in the final, although there was nothing from me in terms of catches and run-outs.

There was lots of emotion afterwards, with all the guys hugging each other and reveling in the moment. We had our team song out on the field and then did a victory lap, in front of about 50 000 fans, all waving the yellow flag. It really was something to see.

After that, a recap in the change room where the owner joined us and thanked everyone. It really is a well-run set-up here and a pleasure to play for such a professional outfit. We then headed back to the hotel and a couple of drinks with the guys turned into a few more. Suffice to say, it was a late night and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

All in all, a couple of months to remember and a fantastic experience, which I’m sure I’ll never forget. I’m off now to meet up with my girlfriend for nine days in Mauritius. I’ll touch base soon.

[ajaybaskar]

Stephen Fleming - the man behind CSK's success

Bangalore, May 30: Now that the dust has settled after the euphoria over Chennai Super King's second consecutive IPL Champions title, there is one man in the outfit who has never been in the limelight this entire season and yet has managed to add much to himself. Speaking about backroom boys, Stephen Fleming, the Chennai Super Kings coach is as good as it gets and his record with the side speaks for that - two IPL titles accompanied by a Champions League crown.

So, what is it about him that has ensured that CSK remain as the team to beat in the Indian Premier Leagues. Clearly, the first thing that comes in to mind is his rapport with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Does that ring a bell about MSD's chemistry with former India coach Gary Kirsten and the astounding success it brought to the Indian cricket team.

Clearly, the coach-captain relation is the most important one to any team's success. An uneasy relation between the two most important persons in a team can only prove detrimental to the team's success. And it seems Fleming alongwith Dhoni have realised the importance of camaderie between a captain and coach.

Fleming, during his playing days was comsidered the best captain around. That was significant because at his disposal was no team full of match-winners, but he coerced them strategically in to a lethal unit that could always dole out a killer blow to the opposition. He has surely retained his cricketing acumen that is in a way helping out the CSK team and Dhoni in particular to chalk out strategies for each and every opposition.

Fleming was a very fine cricketer, but he also realises that it is the player who are stars and any attempt to hog the limelight can only brew among his players a sense of insecurity. He has had his share of the glory during his playing days, and now as a coach, he needs to give his wards a chance to carve out a niche for themselves. It is this approach of his, which has always ensured that fringe players like R Ashwin and Shadab Jakati, get due credit from the media after every match-winning effort.

There is also his inexperience as a coach that plays a very important role in bringing him the success he has enjoyed so far in that role. A lack of experience means, he is always open to players who love to bounce across ideas to him, and he using his vast experience as a player judges and implements the best ones. In another way, his lack of experience also ensures that he arrives without any baggage of pre-conceived notions and is thus not reluctant to go for fresher and untried strategies. Though the risks of failure are high, but with the players that he has at his disposal, it is more often than not that he succeeds.

His inexperience as a coach, media-shy image, great record as a player, rapport with the skipper of his side are some similarities that he shares with Garry Kirsten and thus it shouldn't be a surprise that he enjoys similar success as the South African.

[ajaybaskar]

Chennai IPL crown gives boost to Fleming's coaching career

WELLINGTON: Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming continued a strong start to his coaching career by winning consecutive Indian Premier League titles, which ensured that big money flows into his bank account, one year into a new three-year deal with Chennai Super Kings.

Fleming won the battle of former New Zealand skippers when Chennai beat the Daniel Vettori-captained Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs in the final.

Chasing an unlikely 206 to win, Bangalore reached 147-8. West Indies star Chris Gayle, who had smacked 608 tournament runs at an average of 76 and a strike rate of 183, was removed in the first over.

Fleming enjoys the right chemistry with skipper MS Dhoni and other players emulate this camaraderie.

CSK was also precise in its planning and execution. And the side fielded marvellously well too.

CSK was a popular winner. The side also took home the Fair Play award.

[vanchi]

champion stuff. :smokesmirk:
//missed the live action and most importantly jr thanni's reaction//

[vanchi]

The dream merchant

He's been staying at the Chennai hotel from the time the Indian Premier League started but has hardly ever been spotted in the lobby or around the restaurants. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has mastered the art of

almost staying invisible. It's not by choice. His charisma is such that anytime he steps out,
he cannot avoid
being mobbed. To survive in his new avatar, he has mastered all the tricks of living the life of a celebrity. A few hours after adding more magnetism to his persona, Dhoni was on the flight to Mumbai, and had the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on, his eyes shut and the cap pulled down over them. No eye contact is the best way to keep admirers at bay.


The fairytale story of MS Dhoni continues. The successful IPL title defence with Chennai Super Kings is the latest feather in his cap. Even by Dhoni's standards, it has been a crazy year. The brilliant fightback to achieve the first-ever drawn Test series in South Africa and the glorious World Cup campaign preceded the great IPL run.

"He makes for an amazing case study..., coming from Jharkhand and the way he has understood the Indian set up,” said Kiran More, who as the chief selector gave him his international break.

“He keenly observed the captains he played under, like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble as well as the legends Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. He picked up the important points but maintained his style.

Fairytale run
“Dhoni is writing his own script. He’s not just lucky; he knows what he’s doing; it’s the hallmark of his captaincy. He knows which player to pick, whom to back, and how best to use him.

“S Badrinath and Albie Morkel are classic cases, both don’t figure in international cricket. The best example during this IPL was CSK’s qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore. It looked like an impossible chase as at one stage they needed 105 to win in 48 balls, but they never panicked.

“Badrinath and Suresh Raina laid the foundation after the early exit of the openers and then Dhoni got his order spot on, timing his and Albie’s entry to perfection. That is the stuff
legends are made of,” said More.

What more?
Having led his team to the No 1 Test rank, won the biggest prize in one-day and twenty20 cricket, what's there for Dhoni to achieve?

“I want him to develop some more cricketers for the Indian team and lead a smooth transition as in the recent future, there’s going to be a big void after Tendulkar, Laxman and Dravid hang their boots. After 2012 we may have a totally different team. He now has to build a team for the 2015 World Cup,” adds More. 8-)
hindustantimes/

[ajaybaskar]

Chennai Super Kings treading the Man Utd path?

After defending their Indian Premier League crown, Chennai Super Kings is being compared with one of the best teams in modern sport. Bikash Mohapatra analyses the analogy.

Comparisons are fluke. But they are inevitable nonetheless. The case of Chennai Super Kings is no different.

After defending their Indian Premier League crown, beating Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs at Chepauk in the final, they are being compared with one of the best teams in modern sport. There are many who opine that the team from Chennai can be to Indian cricket what Manchester United is to English club football.

R Ashwin, who played an important role in scripting Chennai's success, has ensured an analogy between the two will be made for some time to come. Talking to a news channel, the spinner said Chennai is definitely capable of replicating Man United's success story.

Since we Indians love to compare, almost everything (with or without a valid reason), let's first congratulate ourselves for getting a new topic to do so. I am going to start doing the same in the next few paragraphs.

For die-hard fans of the Red Devils, the above comparison might seem a bit far-fetched, considering the IPL is still a fledgling tournament vis-à-vis the EPL. But before you jump the gun, let me clarify that this comparison charts a predictable path.

For starters, the Indian Premier League is an off-shoot the English Premier League (EPL). The whole concept of a lucrative franchisee-level cricket competition was derived, rather inspired, if am allowed to use a word from any Bollywood filmmakers' book, from the hugely successful English club competition.

If Manchester United is the best club since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93, winning 12 of the 19 editions held so far, then the Super Kings have also been the best franchisee since the first edition of the IPL in 2008.

MS Dhoni's team has won two of the four editions, been beaten finalist in the inaugural season and a semi-finalist in 2009.

If consistency is taken as the lone parameter, one has to admit that the comparison is at least on the right track. Besides, there are a few other similarities as well.

Man United has, over the years, managed to retain the crux of the team season-after-season. The likes of Ryan Giggs , Paul Scholes and Wes Brown have been important players at Old Trafford for ages now.

CSK is following suit in this respect. In the second player auction that preceded the tournament's fourth edition, Chennai retained key players like captain Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel while spending a few dollars to re-acquire the likes of Mike Hussey, Murali Vijay and Doug Bollinger, to name a few.

So, while teams like Bangalore or Kolkata Knight Riders went for a complete overhaul in their pursuit of success, Chennai kept faith in its trusted lieutenants. Need we say the owner's faith was justified?

Same is the case as regards the coach. Man United kept faith in Sir Alex Ferguson -- who took over from Ron Atkinson in 1986 -- even if he won next to nothing in his first six years at the club.

Now, after 25 years in charge at Old Trafford, Fergie is arguably the most successful coach in the history of club football.

Stephen Fleming's first year in charge at Chennai was a disappointment -- a semi-final loss in 2009 was a come down on the final showing of the previous years. However, the owners stuck to him and he has delivered twice in succession.

Let me clarify here that I am not comparing Fleming with Fergie for the simple reason that they can't be compared. My point is regarding persisting with a coach to get the desired results.

The fact that the New Zealander has been given an extension proves the Chennai owners are looking at the right direction.

Next up is the propensity of both the teams to make the home advantage count. At the club level, winning 'home' games are imperative to keep alive the title hopes.

Coming to Man United first, suffice to say they were pedestrian on the road, winning just five times in 19 matches (with four defeats and 10 draws).

However, in their own bastion, the Old Trafford, the Red Devils remained unconquered, winning on 18 occasions (and drawing once). Needless to say their home form helped them considerably towards winning that record title.

The story of the Super Kings is no different. They remained undefeated in seven league games at the MA Chidamabram stadium (Chepauk) and the fact that the final was played on the same venue, tilted the balance considerably in their favour.

Dhoni's men weren't half as impressive on the road, winning just thrice in eight attempts.

Lastly, our two candidates also match-up on the controversy quotient.

How many times have you seen a rival manager accusing referees and match officials of favouring Fergie's team in key Premier League fixtures? There must have been many occasions when you would have felt that Man United are getting an undue advantage -- be it regarding cards, penalties or, for that matter, the added minutes.

This something that can be best described as the Champions' Theory, according to which any team which performs consistently becomes so powerful over a period of time that it receives little favour from the officials, or, for that matter, can influence their decisions to an extent.

The Super Kings have gone a step of Man United in this aspect. If you recollect the happenings of the last two months or so, you might just get a clearer picture.

Many franchisee owners cried fowl when Chennai managed to retain most of its key players. Their appeals palpably fell on deaf ears.

Again, during the Super Kings' vital away match against Rajasthan Royals, Shane Warne, the Rajasthan skipper, wasn't happy about the wicket prepared and felt it nullified their home advantage. He didn't hesitate in being vocal about his opinion.

The result: the Super Kings breached the Rajasthani bastion, Warne faced an enquiry and was subsequently slapped a fine of US $50, 000 for his outburst.

For that matter many also felt that Chennai being the venue for the final was akin to a script that was penned to ensure surefire success.

That probably sums it up.

I would reiterate here comparing the Super Kings with Man United at this stage is perhaps a tad premature.

But, as I said at the outset, we Indians love to compare. I have just finished doing what you readers will do in the next few years!

[Plum]

Retaining players - all franchises got that option. That Chennai and Mumbai had 4 players to retain is a result of their smart buying in 2008. Why should they let go the option of retaining just because Deccan et al made poor investments in 2008 and therefore didnt have anyone to retain? Wouldnt that amount to rewarding the stupidity of Deccan in 2008?

Pitches - all that was done was to redress the poor pitch in Rajasthan. Warne was getting away with preparing a poor pitch that suited his bowling and kept his legend alive - what a comedown for a great bowler that he ahd to depend on the pitch to keep his good name alive - and he was prevented from doing that.

[ajaybaskar]

CSK's journey: the turning points

The shortest format of cricket - the T20 - is extremely unpredictable. There are neither minnows nor favourites in any T20 game or tournament. A glance at the results of the T20 World Cups serves ample proof. The three World Cups saw three different champions - India in 2007, Pakistan in 2009 and England in 2010. In this context, it is quite remarkable for the Chennai Super Kings to have shown the kind of consistency that they have in this format - Runners up in IPL 2008, semi finalists in 2009, winners in 2010 and 2011 and not to forget the Champions League victory in 2010. The fact that the IPL is contested by 10 (previously 8) sides of more or less equal strength gives makes these achievements even more commendable. So how does Chennai do the impossible: consistency in T20?

The on field success of the Super Kings can be dated back to a few important points in its journey over the 4 years:

The auctions: The first and most important one is undoubtedly the auctions before the inaugural season. Unlike any other franchise in the IPL, the owners of CSK - India Cements - had the experience of running more than a dozen teams that play in various divisions of Chennai's league. Many Indian cricketers, including legends like Rahul Dravid and Tamil Nadu cricketers like Badrinath, Balaji and R Ashwin have been part of the India Cements league teams in Chennai. This experience certainly helped the owners in the inaugural auctions, where they knew exactly what they wanted. While some teams didn't know what to expect and went for stars and glitz, Chennai had their focus firm on the thing that matters - cricket. The owners put together a team that had all bases covered - Hayden, Hussey, Raina and Dhoni formed the backbone of the batting, while Morkel and Oram proved useful all rounders. Chennai had Muralitharan in the spin attack but lacked a good pacer for most part of the first 3 seasons. It was this foundation laid in 2008 that went from strength to strength over the next three seasons.

Chennai v Rajasthan, 2010: The first half of the third season saw Chennai struggling like never before. They had lost 5 out of the first 8 games and were staring down the barrel. With every match being a must win, the Super Kings took on the Royals in Chennai. It turned out to be a high scoring game, with Chennai making a record 246 runs and Rajasthan fighting back with 223. The match had much more significance than just the result - it marked the end of Chennai's opening woes and the arrival of Doug Bollinger. Murali Vijay sealed his spot at the top with a blistering century while Bollinger returned figures of 4-0-15-2 in a match where 469 runs were scored. Both were vital for the team as CSK badly needed a good pacer and a stable opener.

Chennai v Punjab, 2010: It was a night which no CSK fan can ever forget. The match against Rajasthan gave Chennai some much needed momentum but it was the clash against Punjab in Dharamsala that marked the beginning of Chennai's dominance. The Super Kings needed a win in their last league game to go through to the semis and the chances looked bleak at one stage, with CSK struggling in a mammoth run chase. But skipper Dhoni, who had a relatively poor tournament until then, decided to come to the party. He slammed 54 in just 29 balls, including 16 in the final over to storm CSK into the finals. The Super Kings didn't look back ever since and went on to win their first IPL title. They carried the momentum to South Africa, where they emerged winners in the Champions League without dropping a game (other than the Tie against Victoria in the league stages).

Auctions, 2011: Chennai had enjoyed tremendous success in the first three seasons but the real challenge came in the fourth, for the teams had to be changed once again to accomodate two new franchises. Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings turned out to be the only sides which retained all the four players possible. The auctions in January turned out to be a toughly contested one, as the remaining teams came up with different strategies with a single goal in mind: win the IPL. Most teams had realised the mistakes committed in the first three years and it was time for cricket to take centre stage in the auctions. Some stars were dropped, some ignored and the teams were completely changed. But Chennai had already established a firm base in the inaugural auctions and didn't have much to do apart from buying back its former players. They managed to buy back most of the players including Bollinger, Hussey, Badrinath and Ashwin, but also lost out on key players like Muralitharan. The fact that they went behind all their former players including the likes of Tyagi and Joginder Sharma spoke a lot about the unity in the camp.

Unlike in 2010 and despite being the most competitive IPL, the campaign in 2011 turned out to be relatively easier - a smooth ride through the league stages meant a relatively easy qualification into the last four, unlike the frenetic one last year. Chennai's toughest challenge was probably the game against Bangalore in the qualifiers, where Raina and Morkel together did to RCB what Dhoni did to Punjab in 2010. The finals too turned out to be an one sided game, with Chennai emerging run away winners.

The last four years has seen Chennai Super Kings and its players go from strength to strength. Suresh Raina has emerged as a big match player for both the country and the club. R Ashwin's heroics with Chennai in the last 2 years should consolidate his position in the national squad. Subramaniam Badrinath, who has been a literal run machine for his state in domestic cricket, has found national recognition thanks to CSK and the IPL. Amidst all this stands a man who is fast emerging as the face of Indian cricket: MS Dhoni. Barely 6 days after he lifted the most coveted trophy in Mumbai, he donned the yellow jersey and has once again emerged a champion. Some people had the tendency to dismiss his success as 'luck', but with every trophy, that notion is being put to rest.

A captain and coach who are known to be among the best analyzers of the game, an ownership group which has the experience of running cricket, and a flexible squad - the Chennai Super Kings seems to have the best formula to succeed. Speaking after the title victory in Chennai, Ashwin told on national television that CSK wanted to be the Manchester United of IPL. It was quite a bold statement considering the nature of the format. Will CSK continue to conquer T20? Or will the format show why its called unpredictable? Only time will tell. For now, the answer to the first question seems to be a yes.

[ajaybaskar]

Chennai Super Kings – Where Champions Are Made

There’s a well known saying that goes, ‘Champions are made, not born’. Chennai Super Kings are a prime example of that adage. Here is a team that comprises of an eclectic mix of players from different cultures, languages and experiences, who when playing under the same banner, manage to win trophies regularly. So, what makes them different from the other 9 teams who can boast of similar compositions?

CSK’s march to their 2nd consecutive title began well before the first ball of IPL-4 was bowled. When it was announced that two teams were going to be added to the tournament and that there were going to be fresh auctions, CSK and Mumbai Indians might have been the only two teams who would have felt a touch of frustration with the whole thing. It took them three seasons to find a winning balance to their side, and now it looked like they had to start all over again. It was then they made a decision, which not only ensured that three seasons of hard work wouldn’t go to waste, but it also made sure that they would retain a loyal fan base.

It was a simple but effective plan. Retain a maximum of four players, which was allowed according to the rules. Then, in the auctions, fight hard to retain as many CSK players, as possible. Sure enough, after retaining MS Dhoni, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel, the management fought hard to get the band back together. There were some notable losses in the likes of Murali and Balaji, but they managed to get some good additions to the squad like Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Suraj Randiv and Scott Styris. The message to the other teams at the end of the auctions was clear – We know what players we want, and we have got them.

That’s why this victory will be special to the team. Each player brought something to the table, and made CSK a winning unit. It is one thing to have all the big names of the sport in a team, but it is completely another matter to forge these talents into one single champion side. At the heart of CSK’s 2nd IPL triumph, was a core of players who complemented each other’s skills and brought an ‘X’ factor to the side. Here’s a look at the men who brought the title home:

Michael Hussey is all old school. He can identify more with someone like Rahul Dravid than a Chris Gayle. In a tournament featuring some of the world’s finest T20 openers, he stood out for a bloody minded focus on getting the runs through well placed singles and twos, with the occasional big shots. On the field, he can put some of the younger players to shame with his commitment; but his value to the side goes beyond his performance on the ground. In a short time, he has proved to be a major inspiration for the likes of Vijay and Badrinath, who have benefitted from his experience and insight. That’s what sets him apart in the side – a selfless player who when not winning matches of his blade, inspires others to do the same.

Murali Vijay can be one of those infuriating bunch of players, who will perform well in the IPL, but when it comes to the international scene, fail to find that same consistency; but when he does perform, he does so in style. He was a major part of CSK’s revival in the last season and played a winning hand in the Champions League victory as well. This season, he had a stop-start kind of tournament with some fine knocks interspersed throughout the last 8 weeks; but when it came to the big day, he raised his game again. While everyone was waiting for fireworks from Dhoni or Gayle, Vijay stole the show with his trademark big hits and intelligent running with Hussey. With that tournament winning innings, he repaid the management for their faith in retaining him before the auctions, and also served notice to others, that he is still one of the finer openers in the country.

Suresh Raina is not nicknamed ‘the Talent’ for nothing. One of the finest young batsmen in the world, he is the only batsmen to rack up more than 400 runs in each of the IPLs so far. He can bat, bowl, field and if needed, step in as captain too. After a slow start in the early part of the tournament, he managed to strike a semblance of consistency towards the end, culminating in a blistering knock against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first play-off which sealed CSK’s place in the final. In addition to all these, he brings much more to the side. If Dhoni is the head, Raina is the heart of the team. Players love to talk about ‘enjoying each others’ success’; Raina embodies it. When an opposition wicket falls, watch out for Raina. Within seconds, he will be all over the bowler or fielder, hugging them or ruffling their hair, and just lifting the spirit of the squad in a general sense. Now that he is the stand in captain for the ODI team in the tour to West Indies, be prepared for more of it.

Subramaniam Badrinath is the Michael Hussey of Indian cricket. He has spent a decade scoring mountains of runs in the domestic circuit, hoping for a prolonged run in the national side. While his chances have been limited due to the wealth of talent, he remains as one of the integral members of the Super Kings. While the team got off to a mixed start in the early part of the tournament, Badri remained as the one consistent run getters in the side with as many as five half centuries, which is the most in this season. His value comes to the fore, when CSK is in a bit of bother; he strides in, strokes the ball around elegantly and props up the score. On the field, he is fully committed, diving around, plucking catches and effecting run-outs. For all his efforts in this tournament and the domestic circuit in the past year, he has been rewarded with a trip to the West Indies. He has proved that if you try just hard enough, and refuse to quit, you will get your just rewards.

It will be an understatement to say that MS Dhoni is having a good year. He entered this year’s IPL fresh off winning the World Cup of his own blade, and proceeded to prove that he has still got the Midas touch. In the very first game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, he won the game with some sharp captaincy; and throughout the rest of the tournament, he chipped in with some typically bruising knocks and remained safe behind the stumps; but it is his leadership which makes him a vital part of CSK. His ability to stay calm and think logically under pressure ensures that CSK is always one step ahead of the opposition, and his team mates are secure in the knowledge that no matter how dire the situation may be for them, they got one of the world’s finest skippers who’s got their back. If CSK are to become the Manchester United of cricket, according to R Ashwin’s hopes, MS Dhoni remains the best bet of making that happen.

Albie Morkel might not be in the radar of the South African selectors, but when it comes to CSK, he is the resident all-rounder of the side. With the ball, he is a steady new ball operator who can get crucial wickets or keep the run rate down. With the bat, he provides firepower along with Dhoni, which is a major reason why the openers don’t have to always go slam-bang at the start of the innings. Of all the foreign players in the squad, he is the one constant from season one who has proved his value to the side time and again. For CSK to remain a potent force in the coming years, he will be expected to be a vital cog in the team’s fortunes.

Ravichandran Ashwin might be the only bowler in the world, who could make a cut-throat gesture to Gayle and get away with it. He can also lay claim to being the only bowler who managed to keep the big Jamaican quiet and get his wicket as an added bonus; but his importance to the side goes beyond just one scalp. In the span of two years, he has shot to prominence as one of India’s finest spinners in the shorter formats, if not the finest; and he’s got the IPL to thank for it. While he was known around the domestic circuit as a canny off spinner, the IPL gave him the chance to showcase his skills in front of a wider audience and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He played major roles in CSK’s resurgence in the last season and the Champions League triumph. To prove that he is not a one-season wonder, he maintained the same degree of control and skill throughout this tournament which culminated in a match winning performance in the final; and this was after a potentially life threatening blow to his head in the play-off game. In this manner, he has proved that even without Murali, CSK has a classy off spinner to spearhead their attack.

Doug Bollinger was not really a household name in India, when he made his debut for CSK midway through last season. Since then, he has come a long way, establishing himself as a fan favorite among the legions of CSK fans, and led the bowling attack with venom, which has been vital to all three triumphs of the Super Kings over the last year. Till he came on to the scene for CSK, it was well known that the team was light in the bowling department; now along with Ashwin, Morkel, Bravo and Jakati, he is part of a well rounded attack which ensures CSK’s dominance in all forms of their game. Whether it is at the start of the innings or at the death, Doug the Rug is hard to get away, and that’s why he is CSK’s most valuable pace bowler.

So, there you have it. These players along with the likes of Saha, Srikkanth, Bravo, Jakati and the others are the reasons why CSK are such a good side. Apart from their own skills as players, they have learnt quickly, how to complement each other and play together as a winning team. While the IPL’s brief history has seen turmoil and upheavals when it comes to other teams, it is nice to see that one team atleast in on its way to establishing itself as one of the finest cricket teams in the world.

Bring on the Champions League!

[kid-glove]

New york times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/sports/cricket/30iht-CRICKET30.html?_r=1

BBC sport report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/13589283.stm

[19thmay]

Congratulations CSK supporters :clap: if Chennai wins next year Harsha will quit commentary I guess, at least in IPL.

[Plum]

AdhellAm uda mAttAn. Vazhakkam pOla "uLLa azhuguREn veLiya sirikkuREn nalla vEsham dhAn veLuththu vAngurEn"-nuttu biriyani sAptuttu petrol allowance vAngittu pOikittE iruppAn andha arsa thalaiyan

[ajaybaskar]

Celebrating the kings of IPL (http://www.sportstaronnet.com/stories/20110609501400400.htm)

[ajaybaskar]

Dougie Bollinger and Dwayne Bravo have opted to play for the Chennai Super Kings over their home teams in the upcoming CLT20. (http://cricketnext.in.com/news/cl-t20-foreigners-pick-ipl-team-over-home-team/59656-13.html)

[ajaybaskar]

Injured Southee out of Champions League T20

Bangalore: Tim Southee, the New Zealand and Chennai Super Kings seamer, will miss the Champions League Twenty20 after suffering a knee injury. He was supposed to join the Chennai team this week but will remain in New Zealand to undergo treatment.

"Tim has suffered some cartilage damage to his left knee while preparing for the Champions League.," John Buchanan, the New Zealand director of cricket, said. "He requires further assessment to determine the seriousness of the injury but initial signs indicate that he is unlikely to require surgery.

"He will undergo a period of intense rehabilitation and attempt to return to training shortly." Whether or not he will be available for New Zealand's tour of Zimbabwe next month will be made known later, Buchanan added.

Southee won the award for the ICC Twenty20 Performance of the Year for his spell of 5 for 18 against Pakistan in Auckland. He has picked up 74 wickets in 59 Twenty20 matches at 23.05 but has been expensive, conceding 8.07 runs an over. He'd been in good form of late in Twenty20 cricket and took 6 for 16, including a hat-trick, for Essex against Glamorgan in the Friends Life T20 in July.

Chennai, the defending champions, play their first Champions League game on September 24.

[ajaybaskar]

'MSD driving force behind CSK success'

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris, who retired from International cricket after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, will head into the Nokia Champions League Twenty20 at the back of a strong season with Essex in the English County Championships. The 36-year-old, who will represent Chennai Super Kings in the mega tournament, spoke extensively on his build-up to the glitzy event in an exclusive chat with ESPNSTAR.com.

Shashank Kishore: How much pressure will there be on CSK, considering that you will be going into the tournament as defending champions?

Scott Styris: There is always pressure on us. Chennai Super Kings have won 3 tournaments in a row, so everyone will be out to take us down. Pressure is a part of competitive cricket and we have to learn to deal with it. We have been in 'backs to the wall situations' before and come out triumphs. So we are all geared up for the challenge.

SK: You are coming out of an intense county stint with Essex. How different is the standard of T20 cricket in England as compared to the IPL?

SS: The difference is mainly in the size of the crowds and the intense focus of the media, to be honest. At Essex we almost always had sell out crowd who were fantastic, but that is still only about 6500 people, unlike at Eden Gardens where you have 80,000 fans watching an IPL game. The standard cricket is fantastic, and equal if not better than the IPL, but of course you have only 2 overseas players, unlike 4 foreigners in the IPL.

SK: You didn't get to play much in the IPL season. How difficult was it to keep yourself motivated, especially where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the international players?

SS: It is very tough at times; I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. But, you can't get down against the rules, which permits only four overseas players. At the end of the day, you’ve to remain prepared in the best possible way and hope the coach comes knocking to say you're playing and if not help the other guys prepare in the best possible manner.

SK: What is the one thing that differentiates CSK from the other teams?

SS: I can only separate Chennai Super Kings from maybe Deccan Chargers. CSK have made a big push for continuity and ensuring in the sense that they didn't want to dilute fan loyalty. I'm sure our fans have an instant connect with the team has the same nucleus. As one of the 'outsiders' All I can do is fit in with the way Dhoni, Fleming and our team principal Gurunath Meiyappan who are the driving force for the team.

SK: CSK have an enviable record at home. You were unbeaten in Chennai this season. Will there be any added pressure on the side? What is the key to invincibility?

SS: You either embrace pressure or learn to handle it or let it eat you up. We will have more pressure on us than normal. Chepauk has been a fortress but I think it was more to do with the quality of the side than the ground. Many times last IPL, we were under pressure, yet the team came through. That speaks volumes for the kind of set up we have.

SK: Which team do you see as the biggest threat in this year's edition of CLT20?

SS: We are in a tough group and all sides are competitive. We can't really worry about who is stronger or at par with us. We have to just focus on winning each game and takes things as they come. The tournament format is such that it still allows you to comeback despite a bad game, so there are no excuses for let ups. All I can say is we are not concerned about composition of other sides, I believe if we focus on getting our priorities right, we will win it.

SK: You have spent a lot of time on and off the field with Stephen Fleming. Now he is the coach. Has the equation changed? What are his special traits

SS: Yes I have, firstly as captain and now as coach. So basically he has been my boss throughout my professional career! He coaches in the same way he captained the Black Caps. He is very relaxed and gives the praises when the guys deserve it. He can also be harsh at times and give a kick up the backside when they need it. His emotion remains pretty level which is always good for a leader, no matter what industry they are in.

SK: Will there be any specific adjustments you have to make to your game playing in India after spending the last few months on nippy wickets in England?

SS: Not really. The wickets were surprisingly quite slow and low in the UK, almost pretty similar to in India. It's just a matter of hitting the ground running in the Champions League as you can't afford to take a game or two to find your feet.

[ajaybaskar]

Raina's tweet dated 20th Sep..

Off to chennai tom.... Nala erke maachi.....

[scorpio]

Rainavukku TN Ration card parcel :cheer:

[ajaybaskar]

Scorpio,

Planning to watch any match this time?

[scorpio]

AB- Illai. Ticket prices are so cheap compared to IPL aanaa CSK aadumbOthu kaNNai moodittu ukkararadhukku edhukku nEra pOganum-nnu veetla thadaa pOttutaanga :oops:

If CSK reaches final ( I pray it should), I may reconsider and go for the final.

[scorpio]

AB- Oru doubt, orE naaL-la rendu match irukkum pOdhu, 8'o clock match ticket holders-ai previous match mudinja aprum thaan uLLa viduvaangaLaa? Previous match mudiyavE 7 maNikku mEla aagidum, stadium-la orE adithadi nadakkadhaa?

[ajaybaskar]

Scorpio,

Tickets are valid for both the matches. I bought ticket for CSK Vs Cape Cobras on 28th. With that ticket, I can watch the 1st match (New South Wales Blues Vs Q2) as well. One stone..two mangoes. Otherwise who is gonna come to watch the match between non indian teams?

http://i56.tinypic.com/mlj9k5.jpg

[scorpio]

AB- That's nice, thanks :-)

[ajaybaskar]

Nuwan Kulasekara replaces injured Tim Southee

[ajaybaskar]

Spotlight on Dhoni, not Chennai Super Kings

New Delhi: Same role but a different avatar awaits MS Dhoni as he attempts to add more sparkle to Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) bejewelled crown against a contrasting backdrop of the fiasco in England.

Dhoni tasted defeat for the first time in a Test series, and loss in the T20 and ODI series against England completed a miserable England tour for him. En route, India conceded their No. 1 rank in Tests and No. 4 in ODIs to the English team. And if the trend were to continue, the defending Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) champions have reason to fear when they start their campaign against fellow IPL team Mumbai Indians on Saturday.

Like with India, Dhoni's love affair with the Super Kings has been none less steamy. Other than the CL crown in 2010, the trophy cabinet in CSK headquarters also boasts of IPL 2010 and 2011 silverware. However, colours on the canvas of Dhoni's career have faded since the World Cup and IPL triumphs early this year.

Dhoni not only suffered a damaging loss as a captain but also had fingers pointed on him in England as a Test batsman. Some baffling decisions on the field had a telling effect on Dhoni's batting and wicketkeeping in the Test series. And though he came into his own with the bat during the ODI series, it wasn't enough to prevent a whitewash.

But observers of Dhoni's career will agree that T20 is Dhoni's zone, and it won't be a bolt from the blue if CSK script another success story under him. Hindsight of that, though, is that it will add conviction to the notion that Dhoni's formula works only in limited-overs cricket.

So it's kind of a double-edged sword for Dhoni. While a win may make his CV weightier, it can also label him as a limited-overs specialist, leading to his axing as India's Test captain.

But the BCCI's decision to retain Kris Srikkanth as the chairman of selectors indicates a similar kind of stance may be taken for Dhoni, considering India's climb to No. 1 in Tests and World Cup success under their second most successful captain.

Considering all that, whether CSK win or lose, the spotlight for the next 20 days will be on Dhoni, with critics eagle-eyeing every move he makes on the field. And for Team India, it's from where the rebuilding process starts.

[ajaybaskar]

CSK Fan Made Video


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMgKBnLBHtI&feature=share

[ajaybaskar]

Changes in seating arrangement at MAC

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has decided not to use the G, H, and I stands of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium during the matches of the Champions League Twenty 20 tournament here between September 24 and October 9.

In a press release here on Thursday, the TNCA intimated the following changes to the seating arrangements: paid ticket holders of ‘G' and ‘H' lower tier will be accommodated in A, B, C lower tier through Gate 5 & 7 on Victoria Hostel Road; paid ticket holders of ‘I' lower tier will be accommodated in F lower tier through Gate 13 on Bells Road; paid ticket holders of ‘F' lower tier will be accommodated in D lower tier through Gate 10 on Wallajah Road.

Paid ticket holders of G, H and I upper tier will be accommodated in F upper tier through Gate 13 on Bells Road; complimentary ticket holders of G, H, I upper tier will be accommodated in D upper tier through Gate 10 on Wallajah Road; paid ticket holders of D Stand upper tier will be accommodated in E upper tier through Gate No. 11 on Wallajah Road ; hospitality boxes in ‘G' Stand will be accommodated in ‘B' Stand hospitality boxes through Gate 9 on Victoria Hostel Road; hospitality boxes in ‘H' Stand will be accommodated in ‘C' Stand hospitality boxes through Gate 9 on Victoria Hostel Road.

The holders of paid and complimentary tickets in G, H and I Stands (lower and upper tiers) as well as the paid ticket holders in D and E Stands (upper), have been requested to reach the venue half-an-hour prior to the opening of the gates with their tickets and ascertain their new seats.

All substituted seats are either in equivalent or superior stands, the release added. — Sports Reporter

[ajaybaskar]

CSK are placed in a tough group, says Stephen Fleming

CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said that it won't be a cakewalk for his side to defend their Champions League Twenty20 title as they have been placed in a tough group in this edition of the tournament.

Title holders CSK have been clubbed alongside fellow IPL side Mumbai Indians, 2009 champions New South Wales, South Africa's Cape Cobras and Trinidad and Tobago from the West Indies in Group A.

And Fleming said the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side will have to play as a unit to give them any chance of registering back-to-back titles.

"Looking at the two groups obviously, we are in a strong one. We are playing our opening match against Mumbai. On paper, I also find New South Wales a pretty formidable team. Most of the teams are good on paper," he said on the eve of their tournament opener against Mumbai Indians on Friday.

"Team philosophy works for us. But with the quality of competition and the teams in our group, it is going to be tough to win the tournament," he added.

Asked whether the possibility of winning back-to-back titles would act as a motivation for his players going into the tournament, he said, "Not exactly. I think it is for the coach to keep the boys focussed on their job. But you always play a tournament to win it. It is our desire to keep doing well in the tournament. The players are proud to represent CSK and there is already a nice unity among them."

With a new pitch on offer at the M Chidambaram stadium, the former New Zealand skipper said his team's success will also depend on how quickly they get accustomed to the wicket.

"We need to make our assessments fast and then adapt our game according to the condition. The nature of the surface has changed completely and adjusting to it will be one of our biggest challenge. But we have the balance and ability to adjust our game and be competitive," he insisted.

Fleming was also not concerned with the fact that he got very little time to prepare the team for the tournament as most of the Chennai players have assembled in batches.

"It is the same. It is nice to welcome the players again in the group. The boys were excited to be together again. And we also had a very good practice session today," he said.

Meanwhile, Mike Hussey said that along with fellow opener Murali Vijay he is hoping to provide good starts to CSK's innings, which according to him has been the team's mantra both in CLT20 as well as IPL.

"The real strength of CSK has been to get off to good starts and then keep wickets in hand for other batsmen like Dhoni and Morkel to come in and take advantage. It is very important for us to get off to a good start, to set the platform for a big score," the Australian batsman said.

He also said that he shares a good chemistry with Vijay. "I think we (me and Vijay) complement each other quite well. We are probably still quite new as an opening pair but we are getting better day by day. We also get along very well off the field," Hussey said.

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Sadesa 2 mill + tie breaker amount for CSK :shock:.

I bet the CSK guys put in the tie-breaker amount as "latchathi onnu" and beat DC by 1 rupee :lol:.

[VinodKumar's]

Jadduvum vanthutaan CSK ku :victory:

INternational thaan oothikitchu IPL aachum sennai jeyikanum ;)

[VinodKumar's]

any live stream ?

[wizzy]

P_B bingalaki billapi :lol:

Jadugar+Jogi :shaking:

Bell-head's gall :clap:

[ajaybaskar]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422472_10150744386247788_41928427787_11210583_1189 640333_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424278_10150744385597788_41928427787_11210576_1115 830354_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417053_10150744385827788_41928427787_11210579_3308 97813_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402766_10150744385982788_41928427787_11210581_1243 94608_n.jpg

Cricket is many things to many people to me however it is a celebration and having all my friends over to dinner to have a home cooked meal typifies all the great things about the landscape of the cricketing community. Some of these include, mateship/family, cultural inclusion and versatility of experience, long may the wonderful relationships between two great countries, India & Australia continue. Oh and by the way, the kitchen table is the ideal place to bring all these elements together - Matthew Hayden

[VinodKumar's]

Ajay u mundhified me ;).

Hayden :notworthy: They should have called Hussey , Dougie , Bailey and Kulasekaran also :noteeth:

[VinodKumar's]

Jaddu is also missing :| ... who is the guy next to parthiv ???

[ajaybaskar]

I think he hosted players who were playing along with Haydos in the CSK team. Parthiban has moved to two different teams since Haydos left. Kulasekaravum last yearthaane vandhaar.

[scorpio]

Oh...recent pics-aa idhu? Hilfy-um namma aaLu thaanE, avanayum kootrukkalaam.

Dhoni looks super handsome :ashamed:

[kid-glove]

Hayden, what a legend !

[ajaybaskar]

The thread automatically got revived at the right POT. Thanx to Matthew Hayden. :clap:

[wizzy]

He still got the pic of 'Mangoose Mandiyan' in his FB page :lol:

[Siv.S]

Hayden :clap: :clap: bring him back as batting coach :noteeth:

[kid-glove]

Batting coach, yes! Andy Bichel-lam bowling coach, kandippa Haydos could be had as a batting powerplay specialist. Come on Seenu!

[ajaybaskar]

I think Ben Hilfenhaus will play a major role this time. I would not be surprised if Dougie is overlooked.

[directhit]

any Hubbers from Australia? Jadeja va kadathittu poga mudiyuma? release him after IPL - evalo selavu aagudhu sponsor pannidalaam :noteeth:

[scorpio]

any Hubbers from Australia? Jadeja va kadathittu poga mudiyuma? release him after IPL - evalo selavu aagudhu sponsor pannidalaam :noteeth:

Jaddu will be CSK's most favoured finisher in IPL 5 :yessir:

[SoftSword]

oh hayden... your courtesy and kinship :clap:
nannaari pasanga... orutthanaachum help panraanungalae... enna maadhiriyae thingiradhu mattumdhaan pola...

ippo coach yaaru...?
namma aalunga CCL'ke jonty'a fielding advisora vechirundhaanga...

[VinodKumar's]

What CCL la Jhonty fielding advisor ah ... Johnty Mumbai team kooda illa :roll:

Ippo coach Stephen Fleming ...

[VinodKumar's]

any Hubbers from Australia? Jadeja va kadathittu poga mudiyuma? release him after IPL - evalo selavu aagudhu sponsor pannidalaam :noteeth:

DH namma oorla assault ah six adipaan ;) Chennai piutchuku yetha aalu appdinu thonuthu :shaking:

[directhit]

Jaddu will be CSK's most favoured finisher in IPL 5 :yessir:

DH namma oorla assault ah six adipaan ;) Chennai piutchuku yetha aalu appdinu thonuthu :shaking: mm idhula onnachum nadandhuchunna naan Vinay Kumar a theekulikka vakkaren .... i think this time me the IPL skip yaa... :roll:

[ajaybaskar]

Vinod,

CCL is celebrity cricket league. Adhula Chennai Rhinos teamku Jonty fielding advisor.

[VinodKumar's]

CCL la Chennaiku Jonty fielding advisor ah :shock: Naan Champions league nu nenachitaen :ashamed:

[VinodKumar's]

mm idhula onnachum nadandhuchunna naan Vinay Kumar a theekulikka vakkaren .... i think this time me the IPL skip yaa... :roll:

Athuku aagura selva naa paathukuraen.

[ajaybaskar]

http://moviegalleri.net/wp-content/gallery/ccl-2-semi-final-chennai-rhinos-vs-telugu-warriors-stills/ccl2_semi_final_chennai_rhinos_vs_telugu_warriors_ 49136.jpg

Idhula Venky pinnaadi paarunga..

[scorpio]

i think this time me the IPL skip yaa... :roll:

:evil: CSK fans kootam yErkanavE kuRainjutta maadhiri irukku!

April 4 lerndhu ellarum theeyaa vElai seyyaNum :yes:

[hamid]

:evil: CSK fans kootam yErkanavE kuRainjutta maadhiri irukku!

April 4 lerndhu ellarum theeyaa vElai seyyaNum :yes:

athellam automatica vanthuduvaanga.. IND-AUS vida CSK-MI match suudu parakkum kavalaiya vidunga..

[VinodKumar's]

:evil: CSK fans kootam yErkanavE kuRainjutta maadhiri irukku!

April 4 lerndhu ellarum theeyaa vElai seyyaNum :yes:

CSK thondargala urchaga paduthanum. IPL 5 ku thread start panniyaacha :huh:

[directhit]

CCL is celebrity cricket league. Adhula Chennai Rhinos teamku Jonty fielding advisor. :shock:


athellam automatica vanthuduvaanga.. IND-AUS vida CSK-MI match suudu parakkum kavalaiya vidunga.. oh yeah, delicat possissan...

[ajaybaskar]

Nanellam yerkanave manja color jersey'ai isthiri poda kuduthutten. Got my Kings Club membership too..

[VinodKumar's]

Nanellam yerkanave manja color jersey'ai isthiri poda kuduthutten. Got my Kings Club membership too..\

:thumbsup: Asutralia already shutter pottachu. So inimae visil poda vnediyathu thaan.

[scorpio]

Got my Kings Club membership too..

en daughter name-la andha membership apply paNNi 10 naaL aaga pOgudhu...how long do they take to send the welcome kit and stuff? :roll:

[hamid]

Got my Kings Club membership too..

ithu enna?

hmm.. naanum King Club Memberthaan.. Kingfisher la.. have nearly 10000 points.. ipa ellam waste aakidum pola irukku :sigh2:

[hamid]

Scorps.. ungalukku pottiya I have bought a Nikon Action binocular last month :boo: just loving it.. sema clarity. used it for the ladies tennis match which happened last week in Doha.. :noteeth:

[Plum]

Enakku therinju MI fellers have deserted IPL already. NitaBhabhi Bhajjixa vechukittu team nadathattum. On behalf of MI supporters - with the permission of AF and LM - nAn ippOvE walkover tharrEn. Ipl ozhiga!

[hamid]

Enakku therinju MI fellers have deserted IPL already. NitaBhabhi Bhajjixa vechukittu team nadathattum. On behalf of MI supporters - with the permission of AF and LM - nAn ippOvE walkover tharrEn. Ipl ozhiga!

ippa slrathellam rejetted.. match nadakkarappa niinga panjayathu panna variingala illayangarathuthaan matteru....

[ajaybaskar]

Scorps,

You will receive the card within 3 weeks from the day of applying. :)

Hamid,

This membership entitles you with discounts in tickets, chance to interact with CSK players during training sessions and few other benefits too. Earlier it was priced Rs.100. Now increased to Rs.200. There is another senior membership available at Rs.1200 with the same benefits but you will get a T shirt with it.

[scorpio]

Scorps.. ungalukku pottiya I have bought a Nikon Action binocular last month :boo: just loving it.. sema clarity. used it for the ladies tennis match which happened last week in Doha.. :noteeth:

:shock: :roll: :shock: :roll:

enakku Binocular free-yaa kedaichuthu :happydance:

[ajaybaskar]

http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/images/kingsclub_image1.jpg

[Siv.S]

Ajay, i don think Jhonty was a fielding coach for CR, he is here in India coaching some U-19,U-14 players... chumma match pakka vanthirupparu :roll:

[ajaybaskar]

In the stadium, they announced that he is a fielding advisor for CR. But yes, there are no details regarding this in the internet. :(

[directhit]

I have bought a Nikon Action binocular last month :boo: just loving it.. sema clarity. used it for the ladies tennis match which happened last week in Doha.. :noteeth: phone vanganum phone vanganumnu sakala and lm oda productivity a keduthittu binoculars :hammer: purpose um sariyilla! (idhe camera vangirundha sela pala fotos eduthirukkalaam)

[Plum]

ippa slrathellam rejetted.. match nadakkarappa niinga panjayathu panna variingala illayangarathuthaan matteru....Apdi illai - after all the pasting in tests:If Bhajji captains MI - Mi rejetted....if Sachin captains Mi................................................ .................................................. .................................................. ..........................................Sachin rejetted!

[hamid]

If Bhajji captains MI - Mi rejetted....

hmm.. Mumbaila irukkaravane MIya support panna maatan apapdi nadantha.. aana kalikaalam.. appadi nadantha avan jeyichiduvaannu thoonuthu :shaking:

DH,
My wife gave her relatively new Galaxy phone so that I wont spend money on new phone.. so put on hold..
Camera... athuvum namma listla irukku.. :noteeth: almost all research done.. Hopefully within a week I will buy a DSLR.. eppadiyo convince pannitten..
and :( have broken the lid of my laptop y'day and planned for a new one immediately.. she has given some tablets :lol: and pasted some plasters and made it workable with the lid kept open all the time thus not allowing me to buy another.. naan enna seyya?

Also just bought a new Civic :noteeth: 3 weeks back.. so konjam panamum tightthaan...

[Plum]

Pudhu car-u pudhu binocular pudhu camera - kalakkaREL hamid!

[Siv.S]

Hamid,Civic in qatar or india? qatar-la athukkulla license eduthuttengala? :shock:

[hamid]

:) Thanks Plum.. Car illama inga irukka mudiyaathu..

Siva :hammer: naan license eduthu 4 maasathukku mela aakuthu.. was drivign a rental car fr the last 2 months..

[Siv.S]

Siva :hammer: naan license eduthu 4 maasathukku mela aakuthu.. was drivign a rental car fr the last 2 months..
great.. :thumbsup:

[directhit]

Hamid :thumbsup: btw enna DSLR vangareenga? decided?

[hamid]

DH, thanks.


Yep./started with Canon 1100.. then looked into Nikon 5100 or Canon 600D.. the rest are way over my budget.. 5100 out of stock and will be available in a week.. so waiting.. maybe I'll buy either one of these..
aana vaanguratha mukkiyam illa..uruppadiyaana photos edukkanum..athaan eppadinnu therila :(

[ajaybaskar]

Idhellam oru prachanaiya? Dohala adutha ladies tennis match nadakkumbodhu konjam click'ittu vaanga.. :noteeth:

[hamid]

Idhellam oru prachanaiya? Dohala adutha ladies tennis match nadakkumbodhu konjam click'ittu vaanga.. :noteeth:

Kandippa.. Ajay solli ketkaamala... Clickkiduvom..

watched Federer /Nadal in their quarter finals last month. .Nadal played well.. Ladies match-la oruthar perum theriyala.. My son was angry I went for Mens tennis without him.. athukkakathaan avana kootikittu ponen. nejama :D

[SoftSword]

What CCL la Jhonty fielding advisor ah ... Johnty Mumbai team kooda illa :roll:

Ippo coach Stephen Fleming ...

jonty advisor'pa... he was even interviewed when the match was going...
i think he was an advisor in general for all the teams and it was arranged by the CCL management i guess, not only with CR.

[SoftSword]

Athuku aagura selva naa paathukuraen.

adhula oru felling mistake... avar kolutthurenu sonnadhu Vinod kumar'a, kai thavari vinay kumarnu adichuttaar...
neenga vera sponsor'a? thannalamillaama chennaikkaaga uyir thurandha thyaagi vinod vaazhga..!

[VinodKumar's]

adhula oru felling mistake... avar kolutthurenu sonnadhu Vinod kumar'a, kai thavari vinay kumarnu adichuttaar...
neenga vera sponsor'a? thannalamillaama chennaikkaaga uyir thurandha thyaagi vinod vaazhga..!

Mudinja London la oru silai vainga :)

[directhit]

Ladies match-la oruthar perum theriyala.. paarraaa...

:thumbsup: on camera, me also going for either C 600d or N5100 soon .. hv a Pentax with me, naan edutha fotos laam sollikara madhiri varalai, so camera va maatharen :ashamed::noteeth:

[satissh_r]

A B De Villiers tweeted this sometime back

Excited about Super15 2012! @albiemorkel & @faf1307 havin dinner with @SPFleming7 t'nite. Tx for the invite guys! #normannomates Table for 1

Looks like another tiny CSK get together, way to go boys :thumbsup:

[ajaybaskar]

Orey paasamazhaiya irukke? :huh:

[VinodKumar's]

Namma kootam eppovumae appdithaana ... 5 varusama pazhagikittu irukaanga ithu kooda illaena eppdi ... Morkel kitta poi India passport tharom Chennai ku Ranji veladuriyaanu ketta udanae moota mudichellam kattikitu vanthu settle aagiruvaan.

[ajaybaskar]

Albie: SA’s richest player?

http://stbjp.msn.com/i/FF/7BB876D6C41C48B126C39E5A78DE.jpg

Cape Town – He may not always be wanted by his country for limited-overs cricket, and many would argue that he is under-appreciated, but Albie Morkel may well be laughing all the way to the bank as South Africa’s wealthiest player in current earnings capacity.

And if that is indeed his status, the Chennai Super Kings, his long-time Indian Premier League franchise, would no doubt argue that he is worth every penny.

Unassuming, Vereeniging-born Morkel again demonstrated on Tuesday night that he counts among the very best Twenty20 “finishers” on the planet, as he played a major role in powering Chennai into a guaranteed final spot at this year’s IPL; they saw off Ray Jennings’s Bangalore Royal Challengers charges in a thrilling first qualifier at Mumbai.

There was still an awful lot to do as Morkel took to the crease at 131 for four in pursuit of a stiff 176 for victory, and only 20 balls to do it in. But with man-of-the-match Suresh Raina (73 not out) handily on song at the other end too, his whirlwind 28 not out off just 10 balls, at a strike rate of 280 and including three sixes, saw his side over the line.

Apart from looking entirely mentally unflappable, as he so often does, Morkel has that uncanny ability to somehow get his bat beneath perfectly decent-length balls and blast them into the stands, which is the ultimate way to unnerve even the steeliest of bowlers.

It is true that he earlier took some “tap” on the bowling front – this is often viewed as his biggest drawback in Proteas terms – but bowlers are there to mostly be flogged mercilessly anyway in this format, and as long as he keeps on winning or influencing games with the blade in the fashion he does, he will stay a hugely valuable and crowd-pleasing entity.

In national and domestic contractual terms, there will be bigger South African earners than Morkel, but he is smack in the epicentre of the massively lucrative, Indian-dominated T20 landscape, playing as he does for the IPL team with the best win percentage since the tournament’s inception in 2008.

A couple of weeks shy of his 30th birthday, Morkel is sipping on the consistently heady fruits of representing CSK – remember that he has been loyal to them from the very start of the IPL, when he first fetched US$675 000 at the auction, and he was the only South African retained by any single franchise at this year’s one.

His T20 career for them alone is busy making him a lot more than “comfortable” for the rest of his life, assuming that he doesn’t fritter away his earnings on Lamborghinis and Moet (and those who know him will confirm he is hardly that type).

Bear in mind that Chennai, the defending champions anyway, are now in line again for the winning IPL prize money this year of US$1.5m (the runners-up get half that).

Even more importantly in cash terms, Morkel’s team are also assured of a place once more in the annual Champions League Twenty20 event, scheduled for India in September.

In last year’s Wanderers final, the Chennai “mean machine” beat South Africa’s Warriors by eight wickets, with Morkel very much at his post for the winners even if he wasn’t required to bat in the one-sided affair.

Three Indian IPL sides traditionally feature in the Champions League, which offers total prize money in excess of US$6m, with the winners taking home $2.5m - the biggest team booty in the game.

The brand value of the Chennai Super Kings, if Wikipedia has it right, is estimated to be around US$70m.

Yes, there are few better cricketing boots to be in than Johannes Albertus Morkel’s right now ...

Vinod,

Posting this again to show why Albie loves playing for CSK.

[VinodKumar's]

It is true that he earlier took some “tap” on the bowling front – this is often viewed as his biggest drawback in Proteas terms – but bowlers are there to mostly be flogged mercilessly anyway in this format, and as long as he keeps on winning or influencing games with the blade in the fashion he does, he will stay a hugely valuable and crowd-pleasing entity.

Good point. Ippo intha T20 kaalathula Wasim / Ambrose / Donald / Walsh lam irunthuruntha eppdi irunthurukum. Ippo bowlers ku mariyathai na athu test matches la mattum thaan.

[ajaybaskar]

Teamla indha Chandimal payapullaiya eduthu podungappa. Kandippa udhavuvaan

[ajithfederer]

Hallo Jonty is with Mumbai.

[ajaybaskar]

Hallo Jonty is with Mumbai.

:roll: Yaaru illainnaanga?

[wizzy]

Good point. Ippo intha T20 kaalathula Wasim / Ambrose / Donald / Walsh lam irunthuruntha eppdi irunthurukum. Ippo bowlers ku mariyathai na athu test matches la mattum thaan.

can't see even the 90s backup bowlers like Dizzy,Ian Bishop getting canned by the likes of Gayle,Dilshan..

[directhit]

Good point. Ippo intha T20 kaalathula Wasim / Ambrose / Donald / Walsh lam irunthuruntha eppdi irunthurukum. Ippo bowlers ku mariyathai na athu test matches la mattum thaan. touch kooda panna mudiyadhu :smokesmirk:

[ajaybaskar]

Washington Apples are now the official fruit of the Chennai Super Kings!

What next? Official vegetable? :banghead:

[ajaybaskar]

CSK designs innovative marketing campaign to attract fans in IPL 5

The two times IPL champion, Chennai Super Kings, is coming up with an innovative marketing campaign to attract more fans in IPL 5. After its popular video ‘Whistle Podu’, it has a new video lined up that will go on air on March 17.

Think Open is the creative agency for CSK and Mindshare is the media agency.

Commenting on the marketing strategy of CSK for IPL 5, Chandrabhan, General Manager – Marketing, India Cements said, “We are focusing on merchandising in this IPL season. It is not possible for all fans to come to the stadium to support the team but by wearing branded merchandise, they can show support from any part of the country. The merchandise would cost anywhere from Rs 200 to Rs 4,500.

Along with merchandising, CSK has also undertaken promotions and contests in print, online and radio. It managed to get entries from 55,000 fans and five out of them will win a prize.

Chandrabhan shared, “We will give an opportunity to fans to interact with the CSK players on twitter every alternate day. This will help increase the fan base. We also have Kings Club, which is our fans club on Facebook and Twitter.”

The fan base on Facebook has risen to 780000 in merely two months. CSK fans will also be able to see behind the scene videos of players that will be uploaded on the official website.

The team has spent 12-13 per cent more on marketing as compared to last year’s IPL.

When asked whether Indian team’s poor performance in the recent times will have a negative impact on IPL, Chadrabhan said, “I don’t think there will be a negative impact. IPL is all about entertainment and if the Indian team does well in Asia Cup, people will forget the past. The sponsors are pumped and I think this IPL would be better than last year.”

[ajaybaskar]

Mike Hussey will not be playing the first 7 matches of IPL 5, his national commitments being the reason. Mukund will open with Vijay.

Sudeep Tyagi is getting trained under Bichel in Brisbane. May be a surprise weapon this season.

[VinodKumar's]

No Hussey :| intha varushamum kadaisi 7 match thaana :lol:

[ajaybaskar]

IPL 5: Can anyone stop the CSK juggernaut?

http://static.cricketnext.in.com/pix/sitepix/05_2011/chennaichampions_630.jpg

Name: Chennai Super Kings

Captain: MS Dhoni

Coach: Stephen Fleming

Cost of team: $90 million

Key players: Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay – Chennai's top order – all featured in the top ten run-scorer's list last season, and that shows how reliant the team is on a strong start. Hussey's four half-centuries offered stability at the top, and his ability to hold the innings together without taking too many risks, while maintaining a strike-rate of 118.84, was massive. Raina is CSK's biggest match-winner with bat and ball, and remains their biggest hitter. Vijay wasn't as strong as in IPL3, but is a big-match player, as evident by his role in knock-out matches.

S Badrinath's name doesn't conjure up the image of a Twenty20 player, but the Tamil Nadu veteran was a star performer for CSK in IPL4, with 396 runs at 56.57 and a strike-rate of 126.51, including five half-centuries. Badrinath's ability to perform in all situations, most often after a top-order collapse, was instrumental in setting up match-winning totals and holding together chases. His best performance was an unbeaten 63 against Pune Warriors, and Badrinath was also one of the best fielders in Chennai's outfit.

Down the order and as a leader, MS Dhoni is a central figure for CSK. His reputation as a finisher does not need addressing, and with him at the crease CSK will fear no total. The new recruit, Ravindra Jadeja, fetched the highest bid in the IPL 2012 auction, being signed up by CSK for more than $2m after they beat Deccan Chargers in a secret tiebreaker. He is a good Twenty20 player, and the team will have plenty of hopes from him.

With the ball, R Ashwin and Doug Bollinger are lethal forces in Twenty20. Ashwin, now adept at bowling with the new ball, was a stand-out performer in IPL4 – most critically in the final when he took 3 for 16 – while Bollinger's hostility and precision made him one of the best fast bowlers in the competition.

Strengths: The man in charge, Dhoni, has ensured CSK have reached the final four each season. Under him, they team has won the last two IPLs as well as the Champions League Twenty20, and Dhoni's street-smart and innovative leadership has been a constant feature of CSK's dominance. Throw in his ability with the bat, and CSK have one of the most valuable Twenty20 players in the league. A strong top order aside, the presence of Badrinath, Jadeja, Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo in the line-up adds to their batting strength.

Weaknesses: Bollinger aside, the team lacks an all-out quick bowler. Morkel and Bravo had often leaked runs, and been targeted by the opposition. Cases in point from IPL 4 being the defeats to Kings XI Punjab, in which Morkel went for 12.66 an over, and Kochi Tuskers Kerala, where he went wicketless at 8.50. CSK also do not possess any capable Indian quick bowlers who can be relied on to back up Bollinger. In IPL 4, Bollinger's 1 for 20 in the play-off helped carry CSK into the final, but overall there is a lingering doubt over the ability of the other quicks to perform in such manner.

2011 performance: The decisions taken at the 2011 auction reaped the rewards last season. In retaining Dhoni, Raina, Vijay and Morkel ahead of the bidding, and then by buying Ashwin, Bollinger, Hussey, Badrinath and Shadab Jakati, CSK ensured they had the crop of match-winners who had helped win them the 2010 trophy. This sense of familiarity came in crucial when CSK hit roadblocks during their campaign, and it became their trump card in pressure situations.

CSK's unbeaten run at home owed to their home-grown strength, such as Vijay, Badrinath and Ashwin. This naturally attracted a boisterous and fiercely loyal Chennai audience to invigorate the team, with Dhoni going as far to say that when they played at Chepauk, CSK had 12 players on the field. When it most mattered, in the knock-outs, CSK were devastating.

2012 prospects: CSK have been the most consistent IPL team, with a reliance on home-grown talent keeping them in good stead. Having perfected their tactics over three seasons, they will begin their title defence as favourites once again. Their ability to bounce back from defeats and get it together ahead of the knock-outs was their hallmark in IPL4, and as long as they can repeat that they will remain contenders for a third straight title. Considering the final will once again be held at their home venue, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, do not rule them out of an appearance at the summit.

[scorpio]

AB- Kings club members ticket booking pathi any news? engE, eppadi vaangaNum, enna stand, enna rates etc etc?

[ajaybaskar]

I was about to ask you about that. :ashamed:

[scorpio]

My husband did some calling up......lousy service-nnu sonnaar.....innum 2 days-la adha paththi aRivippugaL veLiyaagum and tickets online illa, stadium-la thaan vaangaNum-nnu sonnangaLaam...2 days aayiduchu, no news, adhaan ungaLa kEttEn :roll:

[ajaybaskar]

Sale of Tickets at counter

1. The sale of ticket will start on March 24, 2011 at 9.15 am

2. Kings Club Member will buy tickets through an exclusive counter at Dhun Building, 827 Anna Salai, 4th Floor between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Members will have to produce their membership card for purchase of tickets.

3. Each member will be entitled to buy two tickets in G, H & I stands only

4. Members will be offered a discount of 25% on the value of the tickets purchased.

5. Discounts will be available for a maximum of two tickets only

6. Tickets will be sold only for cash

7. Tickets sale is subject to availability of tickets.

[scorpio]

CSK will be without Huss and Bravo till the Aus-WI series is over? vEra yaar-llam irukka maattanga? Kula, Randiv gadhi enna?

Bolli and Albie thavira micha rendu foreign players yaar available? Du Plessis may get a match, who else?

Thanks AB :-) Year 2012 thaanE?

[ajaybaskar]

http://cnt.in.bookmyshow.com/in/ipl/iplt20qf/chennaistadium-400-01.gif

[ajaybaskar]

No.. That was an announcement that came last year. I highlighted the points which will be useful for us.

[ajaybaskar]

Scorps,

I doubt if Bolli will be available. Heard that he was injured. Kula is busy with the national commitments. So is Hussey.

[ajaybaskar]

Scorps,

Please check the email id registered with the Kings club regularly. They will update you with the dates. i am not sure which id i registered. So please keep me posted in this thread. Punniyama pogum. :mrgreen:

[scorpio]

:shock: Albie thaan namma strike bowler-aa? Sudeep Tyagi paththi edhO news vandhadhE, yaar-nnu kooda nyaabagam illa.

Sure AB...vootkaarar email IDkku thaan mails varum...inga update paNrEn.

[ajaybaskar]

Squad:

MS Dhoni, Srikkanth Anirudha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Subramaniam Badrinath, George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Joginder Sharma, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Yo Mahesh, Albie Morkel, Abhinav Mukund, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Scott Styris, Sudeep Tyagi, Kuthethurshri Vasudevadas, Ganapathi Vignesh, Murali Vijay

[satissh_r]

I wouldn't prefer an opening combination of Mukund/Anirudha or Mukund/Vijay, we might as well give Du Plessis a chance to open and see how it goes..

[ajaybaskar]

Whatever happened to Tim Southee? :huh:

[satissh_r]

Whatever happened to Tim Southee? :huh:

We got him as a replacement for Hilfenhaus last time, isn't it? He came to the auction, not sure if someone bought him late but nobody went for him initially

[scorpio]

Southee is no longer with CSK....he came in only as a stop-gap last year for some injured player (Hilfy?) illayaa?

Gurunath did mention about Mukund and Vijay opening....Faf and Jaddu will be finishers :ashamed:

[scorpio]

Southee is unsold I think.....last year, KKR opening match-la ennamaa oru last over pOttan :notworthy:

[ajaybaskar]

Ok.. Deadly Morkel and fearsome Jadeja will lead our bowling attack.

[ajaybaskar]

Bravo varuvaana? He is playing in the Aus series, right?

[satissh_r]

Faf and Jaddu will be finishers :ashamed:

Appa Dhoni, Morkel?

[satissh_r]

Bravo varuvaana? He is playing in the Aus series, right?

If he plays in the test team then no chance of coming till May :(

[ajaybaskar]

Ippodhaikku idhathaan seiya mudiyum

Murali Vijay (BMP)
Abhinav Mukund
Suresh Raina
Subramaniam Badrinath
Faf du Plessis
MS Dhoni (C & WK)
Albie Morkel
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin
Yo Mahesh
Sudeep Tyagi

[scorpio]

Ippodhaikku idhathaan seiya mudiyum

Murali Vijay (BMP)
Abhinav Mukund
Suresh Raina
Subramaniam Badrinath
Faf du Plessis
MS Dhoni (C & WC)
Albie Morkel
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin
Yo Mahesh
Sudeep Tyagi

Batting OK....bowling :oops:

[ajaybaskar]

Faf Du Plessis and Raina will be handy. Dont worry.

[scorpio]

CSK-MI opening match contrast:

MI opening Tendu & Levi......namakku Vijay & Mukund :oops:
MI Strike pacer Malings.......namakku Morkel :ashamed:
Middle overs spin option Bhajji.....namakku Jaddu :auuuuuu:
Finisher Pollard........namakku Jaddu :kadavulE:

apdiyum jeyippOm :thumbsup:

[satissh_r]

Sri Lanka's series gets over by Apr 7th, so Kulasekara might miss just 2 matches