Chennai Super Kings – Indian Premier League 5 – Team Assessment
While Chennai's third consecutive title would not have gained them any popularity votes with competing franchises, it was probably very disappointing for the expectant fans to watch their side come within an inch of glory, only to finish on an agonizing
second.
Their purse had emptied the moment they tussled with other potential buyers to get http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RA-Jadeja-c2238 - irrespective of the fact that they were more than eager to have him on board. The new $2million signing was seen as a potential cog that could add steel
to their bowling department, while offer depth to the batting lineup, coming in later in the innings.
Top Players
The fact that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539 turned out to be their top-scorer, scoring 441 runs in 19 matches, was in itself a strong indication that their batting lineup never really performed to its potential. The highest IPL run-getter of all time barely threatened like
had done in previous seasons and when he did, in the final, it hardly mattered.
His below par performances came in the limelight due to the underperformance of his skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 in the first eliminator to give
a strong intent of their true stature.
A similar scenario haunted http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils.
Among the consistent performers, Faf du Plessis’ debut season was impressive, where he notched up 398 runs in 12 innings – only to be overshadowed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 on his return. The veteran left-hander also had a pivotal part in the team’s upsurge and
along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JA-Morkel-c1613, remained the team’s safest bet.
The bowling department in previous seasons had a reliability aura about it, with the protagonist being Ravichandran Aswhin. After buying Jadeja, they would have hoped for a similar tone, but Ashwin was hardly a wicket-taker, while Jadeja’s bowling skills
were never fully utilized.
However, the fast bowlers held their end well. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BW-Hilfenhaus-c1204 came and was first choice, while Bravo and Morkel were always handy with their well disguised varieties.
Disappointment and Joy
For starters, the team should be disappointed to have performed so inconsistently in the early phase. They bounced back as the season progressed but faced the ultimate sucker punch when needing a win against Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833, they faltered on 120 and were
convincingly beaten by an http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Gilchrist-c918 led onslaught.
It left them precariously placed at no.4 with 17 points – needing the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals, Kings XI and Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose their last league phase matches. All indeed did and the rest was history as Super Kings romped to their third
consecutive final after that.
Final Assessment
Super Kings were among the few teams to keep the same crux, which had won them the title last year. However, they were slow to get out of the blocks, as compared to previous seasons, and their difficulties in finding consistency at the top remained a major
concern.
However, they thrive under pressure situations and will be among the top contenders for the next season. Some shrewd buys will be expected to bolster the lineup.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-Paul-Fleming-c91190, their coach, was ready to admire Kolkata Knight Riders as the new champions but was not keen to term his side’s campaign as lucky.
"When you get beaten like that, it's a lot easier to take than when you've played below par. A little disappointed that our campaign has been termed as 'lucky', we still got the points to qualify for the semis. The challenge next year is to be one of the
most consistent sides."
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