Winning back hearts the focus for CSK on return
MUMBAI: It is only fitting that Chennai Super Kings’ first match in three years happens to be against Mumbai Indians, the same side they had played in the 2015 IPL final before being banned for two years. That title clash at Eden Gardens was reduced to a side show by the shadow of the betting scandal.
Having served their punishment, Chennai Super Kings are back in the fray. While the controversy has scarred their legacy, there’s no denying there’s tremendous interest around their return. For their fans it will be an emotional moment when Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads his troops out in yellow. It has resulted in a mad demand for tickets for the IPL opener.
It’s a kind of rebirth for the yellow brigade. What it means to their older players and the team management was for everyone to see in their training at the Wankhede Stadium three days ahead of the opener. Kasi Viswanathan, the team boss, and the trusted lieutenant of former BCCI president N Srinivasan, wore a content smile.
Dhoni and Suresh Raina, the two pillars of the CSK, beat the pulp out of the net bowlers and Ravindra Jadeja kept slogging away at one of the nets. The intensity was impressive. Stephen Fleming, Mike Hussey and L Balaji, player-turned support staff, were overseeing the operations with alacrity.
With their core group intact, CSK will be eager to re-establish their dominance in the tournament. They had got it spot on in the auction with smart buys. At the heart of CSK’S team formation was the emphasis on having a strong group of Indian players. By going for tried and tested players this time, CSK are again banking on experience. But Dhoni is a master at getting the best out of old, skillful hands. Ashish Nehra is a classic example.