Age did not kill Watson’s passion
It is fitness that matters and CSK have again shown the way
I have been in a lot of conversations where the topic has been the success rate of Chennai Super Kings. Well, the reasons offered have been from sublime to ridiculous. For me, the reasons are right there in big and bold: CSK does well because the team is allowed to do well. ‘Allowed’ is the operative word here. Let me explain…
A lot goes on into the world of franchisee cricket. It is an expensive business -- franchisee fees, salaries of players and support staff, travel, stay etc. There is one more head that no balance sheet shows: EGO. Most owners are successful outside the business of IPL. Just like us cricketers, they hate to lose. But while cricketers can sportingly accept defeat against a better team, team owners are ruthless as they measure everything against Return on Investment (ROI).
Given the circumstances, if the owners interfere in on-field matter can you
really blame them? But Chennai Super Kings are different. MS Dhoni is their de-facto cricketing boss. I have heard from Dhoni that no one from corporate side influences any cricketing calls. You can argue that it cuts both ways that since CSK have played record seven finals there is every reason for Dhoni to be given a free hand.
PURE FORM OF CRICKET
This year CSK’s average age was around 34. They were called Dad’s Army. If I am CSK I’d embrace that sobriquet. After all on Sunday, one dad showed how to win a final. Shane Watson’s innings typified that age doesn’t kill any passion. He is 36 and true to his game was still scoring in the V. Out of 117 that he scored, 91 came in front of the wicket. He was smart enough not to let Rashid Khan or Bhuvneshwar Kumar dominate. This ploy gave CSK the crown. I have also noticed that CSK doesn’t chop and change too much. They were smart to retain their core – Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, Bravo and Du Plessis. Even the support staff -coaches, the physio and the manager – have been there for years. Once again, having a wellplanned strategy on the auction table helped cover all bases. Also, the move from Chennai (a spinner’s den) to Pune (a more seamer-friendly venue) was an easy transition as they had decent seam bowlers too.
I am particularly proud of the fact that a batsman in the traditional mould won the Orange Cap. Kane Williamson was just awesome.
Williamson comes from the less busy environs of New Zealand and to lead in a team all the way to the final underlines his quality and temperament as a professional cricketer.
From a team and personal point of view, it was a forgettable IPL season but one that taught me few lessons. More importantly, it proved that age is just a number on your passport.
Anyone who turns out with an innings of 100 plus in the final was obviously a significant effort, a great contribution. K WILLIAMSON, On Shane Watson
Fitness was an issue, but he is more professional than I thought. He has got through with one of his greatest performances. S FLEMING, CSK coach on Watson
What captains want is players who move well. It doesn’t matter which year a player is born in, you have to be agile. MS DHONI, On fitness