Monday, 5 April 2010

Big Match for Chennai Super Kings & Hayden

Tomorrow is the biggest match for Chennai Super Kings in its campaign for the final semifinal spot. A win would make them again as the leading contender for the fourth semifinal spot. A loss would backtrack the campaign. 

Even bigger pressure would be faced by Hayden. His average of 29 runs is the lowest among the top six batsmen in the team (Top six includes Badri too).Compare this average to the last year's average of 52+ runs. The gulf in his form is much more visible. I am sure the team would pick Hayden for this big clash against Mumbai Indians. But if he fails, the temptation to pick Hussey ahead of Hayden would be much more stronger. 

Chennai My XI:
1. Hayden 2. Vijay 3. Raina 4. Dhoni 5. Albie 6. Badri 7. Anirudha 8. Jakati 9. Tyagi 10. Murali 11. Dougie

Mumbai Probable XI:
1. Sachin 2. Dhawan 3. Tiwary 4. Rayadu 5. Bravo 6. Pollard 7. Sathish 8. Mclaren 9. Harbhajan 10. Zaheer 11. Malinga

Though Mumbai Indians have won 7 games out of 8, they are still beatable. They might not be as strong as their results might showcase, but they have been clearly the strongest team in the first half of the tournament.

Most Dangerous Players
1. Sachin: He is they key to the entire batting order of Mumbai Indians. If we take his wicket cheaply, the job is half done. Let us also not forget that Chennai is one of Sachin's favorite hunting grounds. 
2. Bowling Attack: All the wins of Mumbai owe a lot to its bowling attack. Malinga, Mclaren, Zaheer, Harbhajan and Bravo have combined beautifully for Mumbai Indians and have delivered in all the matches. It is crucial that Chennai Super Kings scores against all the bowlers since there is no weak link in this bowling attack. I am sure the way that CSK batsman handle Harbhajan and Malinga would determine the match. 

Favorites: Mumbai Indians are the favorites. But you can't rule out Chennai Super Kings by any stretch. And surely Chennai Super Kings has 'it' in them to win the match tomorrow. 


Reshma said...

Last time CSK played MI, CSK should have won it. Thanks to Joginder's retarded bowling and catching and Perera's lollypops, we let MI win. The batting was good (though I feel we were 20 runs short) and bowling was average.

If we catch all that floats in the air - we should be winning this (easier said than done given CSK drop 2 catches a match on an average).

Unknown said...

CSK should not drop any single catch today.Bhajji may open the bowling,so csk batsmen should hit his balls badly.Zaheer and malinga is nothing if we start hitting means they will give more fulltosh score will move like rocket..once we get big score like 200 plus means sachin will get out easily..even if they bat first also we should put pressure on sachin..he will surely give the wicket away...lets hope our best....My wish is CSK should beat MI by minimum 50 runs..if we bat second means should chase the score in 16 overs..God bless CSK

Cub said...


1. Haydos
2. Vijay
3. Raina
4. Hussey
5. MSD
6. Badri
7. Balaji/Ganapathy
8. Jakati
9. Tyagi
10. Murali
11. Bollinger

Hussey is a much better bat than albie. Albie is not bowling great anyway. He goes for close to 9 all the time. Surely bala/ganapathy cant do any worse

RD said...

It will be good to increase the bowling strength now that Vijay has given some solidity to the batting lineup. So, Albie should be rested for this match and Ntini tried in his place. Badani will be a better bet than Anirudha. So the lineup should be
Hayden , Vijay, Raina, Dhoni, Badri, Badani, Bollinger, Murali, Jakati,Ntini, Tyagi.

Vivekh said...

hussey would be better choice than morkel....

Murali said...


If Balaji or Tyagi goes for runs, then we can try out few overs from Raina.Nitini to come in place of Hussey/Haydon may hurt our batting, becos the best way to win would be to bat first, and put a good total and create pressure for MI to crumble. Tendulkar is a master batsman but I dont think he can be Yusuf Pathan or hanewatson.

So if we win the toss a good total over 200 could do the trick for us.

Murali said...

But I get a feeling, Dhoni might keep the same team that played with RR, may be one change could Someone coming in place of Anirudh

Mohamed Ismail said...

I too believe that dhoni may not disturb the winning combination as per the previous match. My only concern is badri. He is not fit for these format of the game. Let us wait another 7hrs and see the team selection.

keda said...

keep +ve game. do well. ALL THE BEST CSK.GOOOOOOOD LUCK

Reshma said...

No point in dropping Anirudha as he dint get a chance to bowl or bat in the last match (though he dropped a catch). Dhoni was in a hurry to complete Albie's quota in the previous match and thats why he got hit. Dhoni must not alter the winning combination. The team looks a lot more balanced now. We stand a good chance if we improve on our fielding/catching. Hayden must have a strategy to handle Bhaji opening the bowling and CSK bowlers should have a plan for Sachin. Hopefully these things are thought through by Mr.Shrewd (Fleming)

CSK_FOR_LIFE said...

retain the same team.. win the match.. and look forward.. :)
law of averages will surely catch up the mumbai indians.. :)

ASWIN said...

hayden must must must perform on the eve of 6-4-2010 aginst mi let every one pray that he should retain the form of 2009 and stop the rumors about mongoose

Cub said...

i am beginning to count the chickens!!!!

we are winning!!!

Danesh said...

Great bowling performance! Excellent win!