Published: May 19, 2015, 04:19 PM (IST)
Edited: May 19, 2015, 04:19 PM (IST)
Chennai Super Kings have made it to the second round of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in every season since its inception. As Chennai get ready to play the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2015 Qualifier 1, Nishad Pai Vaidya writes about the factors that make them the great side they are.
Chennai Super Kings are the only team to qualify for the second round in every Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Since the first year, they have been the most consistent side, gunning for the title every year. When MS Dhoni leads his men onto the field, there is a sense of assurance and confidence. On most occasions, they are the overwhelming favourites going into any cricket game with the opposition wary of all their strengths. Chennai are easily the most intimidating side in the IPL.
Although intimidating, there is that trademark calm surrounding their team, with skipper Dhoni leading from the front. Chennai never feel flustered even when they are under the pump. A lot has to do with the skipper, who has this remarkable ability to soak in pressure. In a way, Dhoni has moulded the Chennai team in his personality at large. Each attribute of the team is a reflection of his unparalleled temperament.
It isn’t only about buying the right players at the auction but also helping them mould into the setup. In pressure situations, the best can crack, but Chennai’s players seem to have learnt the art of managing it well. The team culture has blended each player, who joins in and makes him feel comfortable. Take for example Dwayne Bravo. In the first three seasons, the West Indian all-rounder was with the Mumbai Indians and wasn’t a big success. Once he moved to Chennai, he fit in perfectly and lifted his performances to great levels of consistency.
The other important facet of the Chennai unit is that they have an apt replacement for every player on the bench. If one gets injured, the other invariably rises to the occasion and fills in. Pawan Negi is one such example, who walked in place of Ravichandran Ashwin and performed in both departments. Such were his performances that Chennai were forced to keep him in the playing XI. These players on the bench are ready to step up when the opportunity comes their way. That is the beauty of this unit.
As they take on Mumbai in the IPL 2015 Qualifier, one may feel that it is an even contest. However, Chennai are known to shift gears in the crunch games and Mumbai would know that there is a danger lurking in the offing. Chennai are clinical in such matches and the presence of a cool head gives them the upper hand in most games.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45. The above article was first published in CricketCountry)
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