IPL 2018: Chennai Super Kings are back with a bang; but not at home

They may not be playing at home but what has not diminished is the unquestioning adulation the team receives in Chennai

As Ravindra Jadeja slammed the ball for a six, little did everyone know that it would be the last time Chennai Super Kings would get to celebrate a victory at the Chepauk stadium in the latest iteration of the Indian Premier League. Days later, it was confirmed that Chennai Super King will play its remaining home games in Pune. The protests over the Union government’s inaction over sharing of Cauvery river waters had already seen calls for boycott of the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. As the threat perception grew more serious in the police’s eyes, CSK was asked to find a new home.

Ironically, the build-up to this campaign for the ‘Yellow Army’ was dominated by the narrative of 

return. After spending the last two years in suspension due to team official Gurunath Meiyappan’s involvement in betting, CSK’s comeback was eagerly awaited. Particularly by its loyal fan base which gave short shrift to the accusations of spot-fixing and conflict of interest. Rather, the supporters felt unfairly targeted.

CSK has always prided itself on the manic support it seems to attract. The uncritical adoration has been carefully nurtured by the franchise. Arguably, no other IPL side can boast of such loyalty. Even during the Cauvery protest last week, some agitators spoke of the difficulty in choosing their politics over their favourite team.

CSK itself gives rise to dilemmas as it reflects the contradictions which beset the IPL better than any other side. Like the league, the franchise entertains and succeeds in good measure; but it also replicates the IPL’s tendency to court controversy, leaving a miasmic trail behind.

It began with the charges of auction-fixing (2009) and then moved on to betting and conflict of interest in CSK’s ownership model. Moreover, Chennai has not been an entirely hospitable venue to the IPL. The ban on Sri Lankan players and officials is still fresh in memory while three stands at the Chepauk stadium have remained shut since 2012. Yet, the bumps in the road have not dimmed the enthusiasm of the CSK faithful.

As witnessed during this IPL, the franchise is mindful of playing up this emotional connect. In the lead-up to the tournament, we saw fan videos gain immense traction while CSK itself sought to play up its return to the Chepauk. To embellish its connection with Chennai, the franchise had its players mouth off lines from the trailer of Rajnikanth’s latest film Kaala. In another video, made by fans, supporters borrowed a famous line from the superstar’s hit movie, Kabali – “Tell them we are back,” they roared, with pride.

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IPL 2018: More than the fans I want to win the cup, says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli believes that the current RCB side is 'one of the most balanced' teams they have had in the past few years and that it is a massive boost for him as a captain heading into the IPL 2018

 

Captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said he remains as motivated and committed as ever to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a maiden Indian Premier League title, beginning April 7.

RCB have been the perennial under-achievers of the competition, failing to go all the way despite reaching the final thrice. It all went wrong for them last season when they finished last.

"More than the fans I want to win the cup. I have been with Bangalore for last 10 years and we haven't crossed the final hurdle three times. I can assure you, my commitment is going to be 120 per per cent to try and achieve the goal this time," said Kohli after a training session.

Kohli believes that the current RCB side is 'one of the most balanced' teams they have had in the past few years and that it is a massive boost for him as a captain heading into the IPL.

"Well, the auction has gone pretty well for us. I think we have one of the most balanced side we have had in many years. That pleases me a lot as a captain. We are not relying on one skill or the other. I think it is a great balance of spinners, fast bowlers, couple of all-rounders, spinning all-rounders, fast bowling all-rounders. Obviously, the batting has been a strong point for RCB over the years. But, I think the bowling department and strengthening of it has been a massive boost for us from this auction. Pretty optimistic about our chances heading into the IPL," Kohli said.

RCB have been short on batting firepower and Kohli feels this time the team has a good bowling line-up too.

"The batting has been strong point for RCB over the years, but I think the strengthening of bowling department has been a massive boost for us from this auction. I am very optimistic about our chances heading into this IPL," said the skipper.

The franchise has a solid spin department comprising Yuvzendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, M Ashwin, Pawan Negi and England all-rounder Moeen Ali. There are plenty of pace options too in the presence of Umesh Yadav, England all-rounder Chris Woakes, Delhi's Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj and New Zealander Tim Southee.

The swashbuckling Indian batsman revealed that the RCB, this time around, have picked up players during the IPL Player auction in Bengaluru, keeping in mind their willingness to contribute to the side's team culture.

"The specialists have done good things for different teams around the world. That is something that we looked at as well before picking these players. Guys, who can contribute to our team culture, guys who are happy contributing on and off the field for the team throughout the IPL. Someone who are not worried about their personal performances as such. So, I think we have got a great bunch of people," Kohli said.

RCB are slated to begin their IPL campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Washington Sundar’s presence to give extra options to Kohli in powerplays: Chahal

Washington Sundar's presence in the Royal Challengers Bangalore fold will give skipper Virat Kohli more options during Powerplay and middle overs, feels star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Washington-Chahal forged a lethal combination during India's Nidahas T20 Tri-Series triumph in Sri Lanka last month.

"In Sri Lanka, Washington bowled in the Powerplay overs and I was bowling in the middle overs. In previous IPL seasons, I used to bowl in the Powerplays and was left only with two overs (during later stages). Now we have options. One can bowl in power play and can chip more in middle overs," Chahal said at media conference.

Wrist spinners are doing well but are always under the pump with a chance of going for a lot of runs at times. But the wiry leg-break bowler believes that a comeback is possible if one has a big heart.

"In this format, you are sure to get hit. For instance, in Nidahas Trophy, I was hit by Sri Lankans for 27 runs in two overs. I just told myself, you need to forget the past and make a strong comeback to pick wickets after being smashed," he said.

Bowling at the Chinnaswamy is baptism by fire and that has made him a more fearless competitor.

"When you play for India, you get more confidence because of bowling at Chinnaswamy. A spinner is always worried about short boundaries, but having bowled here, I don't fear bowling anywhere," he said.

The extremely short side boundaries of Chinnaswamy tests the mettle of best of slow bowlers.

"I have been a successful bowler at the Chinnaswamy for the past four years despite its short boundaries."

Chahal assessed that Chinnaswamy pitch this time is flatter compared to last season.

"Compared to last year, the strips at the Chinnaswamy are different. It looks much better. One can expect a couple of 200-plus totals. In fact, I prefer flat wickets, for it gives our batsmen a chance to post big totals," he said.

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IPL 2018 match schedule: Mumbai and Chennai to play opening game on April 7

A total of 60 matches will be played at nine venues across 51 days from April 7 to May 27

The eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League will begin on 7 April at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The season opener will be played between defending champions Mumbai Indians and comeback team Chennai Super Kings.

Apart from the hosting opening game and the final of the IPL 2018, Mumbai host the first qualifier. Chennai Super Kings will also play the last league match on May 20 against Kings XI Punjab.

A total of 60 matches will be played at nine venues across 51 days from April 7 to May 27. The two qualifiers and the eliminator will be played between May 22 and May 25. In this year’s IPL, all the double header- 12 in total – will be played over weekend. Out of 60 matches, 12 will be played in afternoon 48 will be played in the evening.

The afternoon games will start from 4:00 pm and evening games will start from 8:00 pm. Earlier in January, the IPL governing council had approved the proposal that evening matches would begin at 7pm and afternoon matches would begin at 5:30 pm. But after IPL franchises’s demand IPL council decided to stick to the original match timings.

In the addition to home bases of the eight franchises, Indore will be the ninth venue in the IPL 2018. Kings XI Punjab will host three of their home games in Indore and the remaining four matches in Mohali.

Wankhede Stadium will be hosting the final this time around between the winner of Qualifier 1 and the winner of Qualifier 2, on May 27. The upcoming edition of the cash-rich league will feature 12 matches that will be played at 4:00 PM IST and 48 matches will start at 8:00 PM IST.

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