Team India squad for the Australian tour - has they got it Right?

BCCI Selectors announces India’s squad to the Tour Down Under –2020/21

 

“Third Man” is back after a week to discuss and introspect the squad announced for the upcoming full tour to Australia commencing 27^th November and closing out on 15^th January, a grueling 3 months tour comprising of four Tests ,three ODI’s and three T20’s. Overall it looks a well-balanced strong squad on paper to take on the mighty Australians at their home territory, with Rohit Sharma conspicuous by his absence from all the forms of the game, considering his status as a indispensable player in the India Team over the last few years.

 

“Hit”Man out of Down under for all three formats – What’s happening BCCI?

 

Well, I can read your mind and the most of us will be baffled by the confusion surrounding Rohit, being the Vice-Captain of the limited overs team, dropped from the full tour due to a hamstring injury picked up during this IPL and missing 2 games already. It would have served better had BCCI released a clear statement on the extent of the injury and recovery time to clear the doubts from the ardent fans following Team India. It is strange to see Rohit padded up and gearing for a practice session for the IPL, while BCCI already ruling him out of a future tour. The ideal situation could be including him in the squad, monitoring his progress and name a replacement if he is not declared fit. If he is seriously injured, Mumbai Indians should have ruled him out of rest of the IPL matches in the larger interest of his Team India Career – With lot of money at stake, is BCCI unable to convince the franchise to release Rohit on fitness grounds?

 

 

Royal Challenger’s Tour to Australia?– Is the Captain just has a say in Team selection or the Captain selects the team?

Though not questioning the caliber of players chosen, the squad looks heavily loaded with players from RCB raising questions on the influence of the captain and favoritism towards players from one franchise to represent India captained by the skipper of the Franchise. While the likes of Chahal, Sundar, Saini, Umesh Yadav are quality players to represent India, the same cannot be said of Siraj – He did not set the world alight in his previous stints for Team India and barring one outstanding spell in this IPL, he has been quite ordinary. Spare a thought for players like Surya Kumar Yadav, who has been plundering runs at an enormous strike rate for the last 3 seasons for the Mumbai Indians – What has he done wrong to be ignored?

The bigger question is selecting players for Test matches based on IPL performances which will set wrong precedents for the domestic players who are sweating it out at the Ranji trophy, as rightly questioned by the cricket turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. My take is on the same lines – IPL performances can be a yardstick only to select players for International T20 Matches only.

 

Young guns getting a go for the big Australia Series – Applause to the selectors

With the regular members of India Test & ODI team being automatic picks, it is a commendable to see the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank ( for all three formats), Sundar and the deserving Samson getting changes in the T20 squads based on current form and it will be a greater learning curve to bowl and bat on the bigger Australian grounds as well as the quicker pitches which will have something for the bowlers all the way. Waking up at 5.00 AM IST to see the contest between bat and the ball, the opening session at Gabba Brisbane with swing and seam, the bounce at MCG- Melbourne, Pace and carry for the bowlers and the dimensions and the challenge of the wind called “ free mantle doctor” at WACA Perth, the spinners paradise at Adelaide oval – A cracker of the series is on the cards between two of the greatest cricketing rivalries of the decade.

 

The vice-Captain saga

With the dumping of Rohit Sharma and the sudden elevation for KL Rahul by handing over the Vice captaincy reins for the ODI & T20 series, the Selectors has added fuel to the Rohit Vs Kohli controversy which has been going on since the ODI world cup. Imagine a situation if Rohit recovers and wins a place back into the Team, how hard it will be for his captaincy aspirations as he has done nothing wrong for the little time he has captained India and has been extremely good leader leading Mumbai Indians to multiple titles.

While KL Rahul has been duly rewarded for a place in limited over teams by his scintillating show at this IPL, once again the T20 Performances leading to Test selection crops up – He was fairly unsuccessful as an opener in the previous three test tours and eventually dropped for the home series against the Windies & Kiwis, where Rohit took up the challenge as the opener and made merry making centuries and double centuries cementing his place in the Test side. Hope KL can prove us wrong and put up a remarkable show as a test opener as he has done in his debut century in the same Australian soil years back.

 

Let’s have some fun –Shocking omissions -  Players unlucky to miss the bus to Australia Tour

Having discussed on a series note on some of the selection condrums, would like to finish with some fun on the players who are missing from the squad announced.

Kedar Jadav, who was trolled day and night for his “test Match” batting in this IPL for CSK, couldn’t win a place in the Test squad? BCCI, What have you done?

An International full tour without MSD – It took some time to realize that Dhoni is a former India Cricketer, something we fans could not get into terms yet.

ABD missing out – Kohli , You were so loyal to the “ Royal” Challengers by picking most of them ,How could you afford to drop ABD, your best buddy?

 

Thumps up for the Men in Blue for the Tour Down Under – Time to Bleed Blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacular Super Sunday at Incredible premier League

 Kings 11 vs MI- Match tied, 1st super over tied, Punjab beats Mumbai in the 2nd super over  - how often have we seen something like this to know the result of a game?? this is IPL and modern day T20 for you folks, the rules have changed, bats are getting big, grounds are getting smaller and entertainment unlimited..  On a match which started on a Sunday, closed on the Monday, leaving the fans short of time to sleep and to relieve the incredible game of cricket.Not to forget the super over in the 1st Match of the double header ( SRH vs KKR), it was a terrific tremendous tantalising triple treat to the super fans on a " super Sunday".

"Third Man" A Review by Kannan

“Super Over” Kings conquers Mumbai Indians on the 3^rd attempt

 

Wouldn’t be exciting to re-live the double Super over with plenty of  buzz, drama and of course, entertainment. Here we go on the quick recap of the Super over between KKIP and Mumbai Indians on the Sunday, 18^th October, perhaps the craziest day in the history of IPL. With the game tied at 176/6 (Yes, it cannot be closer than this with nothing separating the 2 teams even in wickets lost), both the teams gathers for the super over game.

 

1^st Super Over - Tied

It was competition of accurate yorker bowling between the ‘boom boom” Bumrah and the ‘Sultan of Swing’ Shami – Eventually, batsman from both the teams (Rahul & Pooran for Kings 11, Rohit and Quinton for MI) struggled to put bat to ball resulting in Punjab scoring only 5/2 , both the wicket falling to the brilliant Bumrah. MI was expected to chase this off pretty easily, but that was not to be. 2 runs were needed of the last ball where Quinton, in pursuit of the 2^nd run towards victory, was brilliantly run out by KL Rahul, collecting the ball and diving to dislodge the bails, all happening in fraction of a second.

 

Is the game over? Has Mumbai won the match on the basis of more boundaries scored in the original game ( 24 boundaries as against 22 for Punjab)? Yet another repeat of the World Cup finals between England and New Zealand? Plenty of confusion, animated conversation in the dugout - Umpires, support staff & the players are getting together. Finally, the news is out. Clarification provided on the  Changes in the IPL rule book effective 2020, It’s going to be yet another super over!! Don’t switch your television sets off, more fun on the cards.

 

Before we head into the deciding super over, Here is what the IPL Law’s says about the “TIED SUPER OVER”

• In the event of a super over being tied, the game has to be decided through subsequent super over (Until a result comes up)
• The players who took the field ( not the nominated players) during the previous Super over cannot participate in the next super over. In this game, Bumrah, Shami, Rahul, Pooran, Rohit, Quinton cannot participate again. ( There was some argument regarding Pollard nominated in the 1^st Super over and still walking out to bat in the 2^nd Super over, Umpires have clarified – Pollard did not bat in the preceding super over, hence he is available to participate in the next Super over)
• Rest of the rules applicable to the Super over remains the same.

2^nd Super Over - KKIP beats MI in the 2^nd super over

 

Hardik Pandya & Kieren Pollard, the power hitting master of MI walks out to bat against Chris Jordan, the death over specialist from the KKIP. Jordan restricts MI to 11/1, noteworthy to mention the brilliance of Mayank on the boundary line – Saving a certain six through his acrobatic act and batsman could manage only 2 runs. These are the little moments which decides the outcome of a nail-biting match and KKIP has to chase 12 runs in pursuit of the much needed 2 points.

 

Here comes Gayle, the universal boss and the in-form Mayank Agarwal to face the speed of Left arm quickie Trent boult. Gayle makes a statement in the first ball by clearing the long off for a six, Game on! Gayle storm has arrived at the UAE! The target becomes smaller now and astonishing Agarwal does the finishing act with two boundaries, KKIP wins the Super over with 2 balls to spare. KKIP are back into the reckoning with 3 wins.

 

“Except RR and CSK, all the teams are part of Super overs in this IPL 2020 – They both are clashing today. Is there going to be another one?

Dhawan's maiden IPL century, Axar's blinder powers DC to thrilling win over CSK , nearly ending their campaign to the play off

 Dhawan's maiden IPL century, Axar's blinder powers DC to thrilling win over CSK , nearly ending their campaign to the play off

17th October, Sharjah, IPL 2020

What a spectacular double header Saturday it turned out to be at the IPL which witnessed two contrasting matches - RR were coasting for victory and lost it to a game changing innings from ABD (when 76 were required of 42 balls) where he scored 55 of just 22 balls, (6 sixes) primarily going after unadkat and scoring 25 of the 19th over making it a simple finish. On the 2nd match between CSK and DC, it was a close encounter which went to the wire and finished as a heartbreak for CSK nearly ending their campaign to the play off. 

 Lets quickly re-live the match and analyse the game changing moments which cost CSK a win much to the disappointment for the fans who were rooting for the yellow army.

 

chasing a challenging target of 180 on a batting wicket at Sharjah, with smaller dimensions, Delhi got off to a poor start with Prithvi falling to the swing of Chahar for a duck in the 2nd ball of 1st over, it was left to Rahane and Dhawan to rebuild the innings. Rahane fell to a fantastic reflex catch by Curran, what is that he cannot do on a cricket field, leading to the skipper shreyas and Dangerous Dhawan, in supreme form with  3 Consecutive 50's before this match, to bat through if DC has to go anywhere near the target set. By the end of 10th over, DC were struggling at 76/2, however, CSK were at similar position with one wicket down.

Shreyas was not looking at his best and he fell for a run a ball 23 trying to clear the long on boundary of Bravo and excellently caught by Faf near the rope. Though wickets falling at the other end, Dhawan continued to dominate playing his trademark slog sweeps, clearing the infield on several occasions-   When he steps down and drives through extra covers, he is surely in form and CSK has to pay heavily for the dropped catches, 3 regulation catches dropped by Chahar, Dhoni  and Rayudu. The Spinners , who were the key architects on the victory over SRH, bowled poorly much to the liking of Dhawan and duly got hammered all round the park.

Stoinis excelled for 24, in his brief stay at the crease while Carey could carry on to strike it big - The asking rate was climbing steep leaving it Shikar to do the damage by himself when 21 was needed of the last 2 overs. At thus stage, Super kings were down and out but got a glimmer of hope through a stupendous 19th over from Curran which went for just 4 runs - Dhawan celebrating his maiden IPL century of just 57 balls.

Dhoni threw the ball to Jadeja to bowl the final over defending 17 runs, perhaps due to a injury to Bravo who was off the field. Jadeja missed his length and there comes a blinder from the left handed Axar (21 of just 5 balls), no mug with the bat, striking 3 huge sixes and getting DC over the line with a thrilling win - conquering Jadeja, the fellow left arm spinner and Super kings. Delhi regains the place in the top of the table where Super kings are nearly out of the play offs ( Though firm CSK believers still would say 5 out of 5 and we will be in play off)

Earlier, CSK opted to bat and showed real aggression and batted with purpose, withstanding the early wicket of Curran. Watson and Faf put on a steady 87 run partnership for the 2nd wicket laying the perfect platform for the middle order to attack - Du Plussis was set on a mission from ball one scooping the Speed merchant Nortje for a six  over fine leg, going after the DC bowling attack and scoring a 47 ball 58.

It was Rayudu show once Faf left and exhibition of flamboyant batting, the six over extra cover of Nortje was breathtaking, where he continued to take on the bowlers and joined by Jadeja to do set up things in the death overs to a commanding total. 45 (25 balls) from Rajudu and 33 (13 balls) from Jadeja, with 4 sixes each put DC on the firing line as 67 runs were plundered of the last 4 overs, something CSK failed to do in the previous matches. Barring Rabada, no bowler deserved respect and had their figures spoiled by the impactful batting plan from CSK.

Where did Super Kings lose the match?

Here comes the interesting segment - A postmortem of the heartbreaking loss which could have been won with few Tactics going right.

Jadav jumps in the 11 again - It must have been Meme time when Jadav was drafted back into the crucial game, having done nothing in this ongoing IPL and shown the door just 2 matches ago. On a smaller ground which needs extra cushion to have an additional bowler, wasn't defying cricketing logic to bring back kedar, if his form with the bat was horrendous and he is not into the bowling plans either. Skipper Dhoni must clarify to the fans who are outraged after the defeat.

Dropped catches, Dhawan makes Merry -  Dhawan was happy with the triple " Dasara festival" gifts given by the Csk fielders and as the saying goes ' fortune favours the brave, blugeoned the bowlers to a match winning century. The Fielding standard of the team, with few slow movers on the field, was way below par when compared to the other teams - yet another reason for the defeat.Had Dhawan been snapped up early, the match would have been won with a decent margin.

Why did Jadeja bowled the last over??

This is the question asked by everyone who follows the yellow army. While Dhoni clarified at the post match interview that Bravo was off the field due to an injury, was it wise to bowl a left arm spinner against 2 left handers with the ball turning into them making it easy to hit them with the spin? Karn Sharma was another option but did not have a good outing so as Jadeja ( Jaddu going for 35 runs in 2 overs).

Why not Kedar Jadav to bowl the final over??

 Though it may backfire to Dhoni on kedar selection if he fails, why couldn't he been tried to bowl the last over as a surprise element - Strategically, DC would not have expected him to bowl and might have some something silly and given him a wicket. Kedar is a partnership breaker and a unique style of bowler who is not easy to get underneath and clear the boundary. Being an off spinner, turning the ball away From the lefties, kedar could be the rabbit out of the hat Dhoni should have tried - But not to be.

5 wins of 5 matches is what CSK need at this stage -  Mathematically yes, Realistically no. Still the loyal fans root for the yellow for all the wins, titles and the entertainment provided over a decade. But I fear this is the end and a new dawn to begin next year with a completely new set of players.

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Top order clicks, Bowlers delivers as CSK gets one over SRH

 

Top order clicks, Bowlers delivers as CSK gets one over SRH

 

“Third Man” Review By Kannan

 

Match : SRH vs CSK, IPL 2020

Date : 13^th Oct, 2020

Venue : Dubai

Toss : CSK won and elected to bat

 

CSK campaign is back on track with a clinical performance over the Top-heavy Sun Risers by beating them comfortably by 20 runs and getting a much needed 3^rd win to stay alive in the tournament. Aggressive batting by Curran at the top followed by the partnership between Watson and Rayudu ensured CSK had a par score to defend and the bowlers put up a brilliant all round show to finish the game in style.

 

Batting first, Curran at the Top gives CSK a thumping start

 

While CSK has chased all of the 7 matches they have played prior to this match and lost more games, they were hoping to bat first, put scoreboard pressure and to outwit the opponents with the spinners – The toss of the coin fell in CSK’s favor and skipper Dhoni had not hesitation to bat first. Sun Risers were taken aback with the strategy to open with Curran and he provided the much needed impetus with a 21 ball 31 with 2 sixes, putting the foot on the accelerator from ball one, though Faf fell early to a moving ball from Sandeep Sharma. When Curran was cleaned by Sandeep, he has already done the damage and provided direction for the batters to follow.

 

Watson Rayudu shows intent, targets Rashid Khan and dominates the middle overs

 

With the freedom given by the skipper to bat positive and go after the bowling, Watson and Rayudu showed intent and started to dominate, refreshing to see the change from the grafting approach in the previous games, kept the scoreboard moving and stitching a  valuable 81 runs for the 3^rd wicket. They hit 5 sixes between them during this period and the plan to go after Rashid khan was a master stroke as not many teams have been successful in doing so – Rashid was conquered and the ploy to contain the middle order with spin was thwarted as they went for around 8 an over, laying the platform for Dhoni & Co to strike big during the final overs.

 

Dhoni, Jadeja’s Cameo  - 47 runs in last 4 overs

 

Dhoni walked out to bat at the right time and right intention with just 4 overs to go, wasting no time in blocking few as it has been the trend in previous matches, batted with aggression (21 of 13 balls) and started to hit boundaries of the pace bowlers – The 102 meter six of the Natarajan over long on with the full swing of the bat and typical Dhoni follow through was the sign of his powers still intact and belief for the fans for more of such to come in the upcoming games.  Jadeja was finding gaps and placing through the third man boundaries as if this was a net session and finished it off with a six in the final over – The cameo from the CSK mates put SRH completely on the back foot as the target of 167 was never easy on the two- paced wicket.

 

 

Warner, Pandey fails at the Top, SRH off to a clumsy start

 

When CSK took the field, the agenda must be surely to take early wickets as SRH depends lot on the Top 3 to fire with the brittle middle and lower order – David Warner, who has found his touch little late in this tournament, got a leading edge and gave a simple catch to Sam Curran while Manish Pandey succumbed to an unnecessary run out with brilliant piece of fielding and direct hit from the “champion” Bravo. At 27/2 in 4 overs, SRH hopes rested on Bairstow to fire with the bat and Kane to do the supporting act as he does more often than not.

 

Spinners Strikes in the middle overs, the chase goes off track

 

Just when Bairstow and Kane were rebuilding and the asking rate climbing over 10 an over, Jadeja makes it even more tougher by bamboozling and cleaning up Bairstow with a quicker one. Williamson continued to build the innings  by rotating the strike and hitting the odd boundaries while he saw wickets falling around him – At 117/5 in 17^th over, with 40 runs needed of last 3 overs, it was a blinder expected from Kane to ruin CSK’s party which was not to be.

 

Death Overs – Karn prizes out Williamson, Bravo & Thakur does the finishing Act

 

Williamson, who played some delightful cricketing shots and scoring a splendid 57 of 39 balls,  fell sweeping Karn straight into the hands of Thakur and it was left to Thakur and Bravo to close the game in the final overs. They had to withstand the scare from Rashid Khan, who was starting to connect and playing his trademark scoops, before he got out in comical manner by getting himself hit wicket and also being caught at the boundary in the last ball of 19^th over – Thakur deserved the wicket for his yet another impressive display at the death overs giving nothing away.

 

With 21 runs needed of the last over, Bravo had fun mixing up his deliveries and closed out the game for CSK by just giving 1 run, an unbelievable feat indeed. Right from the toss of the coin, the positive batting from the batsmen, early wickets with the ball and spinners putting up a commendable show, Super Kings had a near perfect game. Peaking late in a season is not new to Dhoni’s men and they know how to turn it around at the business end of the tournament, Lets not celebrate much, take one game at a time and hope for few more wins for real “Whistle podu” moments.

 

Where does CSK stands at the points table?

 

While it was down and out few days back, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for CSK – They stand at 6^th in the points table with 3 wins as of today (16^th Oct) with SRH and RR sitting along and KKR marginally above us with 4 wins. The equation will definitely change with lot more game to go, MI, DC & RCB are surely going to occupy the Top 3. The competition for the 4^th place is going to be interesting as couple of wins on the trot is what CSK should be aiming for.

 

Quick Preview for CSK Vs DC , 17^th October, Sharjah

 

CSK takes on Delhi Capitals tomorrow at Sharjah on what should be a must win match for CSK as Delhi has nothing to lose standing at the top of the points table due to their supreme performances this season. Super Kings must continue their recent template of batting first, hopefully winning the toss, and Curran to open the batting which provided the balance to the top order. There should not be much change to the playing 11 except for Piyush, barely used in the match against SRH, to be replaced by the deserving Jagadeesan who did not have a bad outing on his debut.

 

It is a golden opportunity for the Super kings to get one against a depleted Delhi Capitals, with Shreyas and Pant, the fulcrum of their batting unit,  likely to miss out due to injuries. Their batting looks weaker without these two and the onus will be on Shikar Dhawan to deliver at the top if Delhi aims to score anywhere above 160. However, they have the bowling firepower, with the fearsome paceman in Rabada and Nortje ( who bowled the fastest ball in IPL history in their previous match against RR clocking 156 kph) and the in-form spinners in Ashwin and Axar to trouble even the best of batting line ups.

 

CSK should mix aggression with caution, with one of the top order batsman anchoring the innings and the rest should bat positively to target 160+ on the board which should be tough to chase on a wearing Sharjah track. They should be mindful of the fact that overs 16-20 will be difficult to up the ante against Rabada/Nortje and score as much runs before the death overs and hope for yet another Dhoni-Jadeja show business end. Not to forget the “Champion” Bravo, he is due with the bat – Will it be tomorrow?

 

“Runs on the board, scoreboard pressure, Capitalize on Capital’s weakness in batting, Go for Glory CSK

Tremendous Tripathi sets up the match for KKR, Dhoni, Kedar gifts a win for " "Chennai" mate

"Third Man"- CSK vs KKR Match Review ( 7th October, Abhu Dhabi)

KKR defeated CSk by 10runs at Abhu Dhabi despite scoring a below par 167 on a good batting wicket. KKR who won the toss, elected to bat, kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, contributed by superlative bowling by the CSk bowlers, Dwane Bravo, the carribbean Champion, was the pick of the bowlers picking 3 wickets, scalped his 150th wicket for CSK,  especially putting the brakes at the death overs. 

Rahul Tripathi was the shining light for the knight riders. Opening the batting this time, Tripathi came out all guns blazing, played shots all round the wicket, hitting boundaries and sixes and scored a brilliant 81 of just 51 balls.

While the margin of defeat looks like it was a close encounter, an analysis and intense scrutiny of the scoring pattern and strike rate of some of the "Stalwarts"of CSk during the various stages of the game would expose the real cause of losing the match which should have been won easily.

1 to 12 overs - 99/1, fabulous start by the top order

 CSK was off to a brisk start with Watson and Du Plussis continuing from where they left off against punjab , putting on 30 runs in quick time, before Faf nicked on to the KKR skipper.  Rayudu, the man in form, joined Watson and continued to flourish playing attacking shots and taking on the bowling.Watson registering yet another 50 proving his worth when he finds his touch.By the end of 12 overs, super kings were dominating the chase at 99/1 when Rayudu lost his wicket trying to clear long on fence and getting caught.

13 to 17th over - Brilliant DK, mystery spinners dry up the runs, Dhoni faulters again

Dinesh Karthik, who was under fire for his unimaginative captaincy so far, got everything right in this game right from opening the innings with Tripathi to holding up Sunil Narine to let him control the game during the middle overs against Watson, Dhoni and co on a pitch which was slowing down. Narine immediately reaped rewards by trapping Watson with a quicker one.

Dhoni promoted himself up the order and walked at no 4, and as we have witnessed through this season, he couldn't get going at all and was grafting for singles during the middle overs. CSk could manage only to score at less then 6 runs during this period which overcomplicated things again to leave a tough task in the last 3 overs.

Varun Chakravarty, the mystery spinner, who once worshipped Dhoni as a fan from the chepauk stands, got his sureal moment when he ended Dhoni's agony ( 11 of 12 balls)by getting him bowled by a tossed up delivery to - It was a wild heave by Dhoni, which might be a proof of his struggles with the bat and signs of his waning powers with the willow.

17th to 20th over - Kedhar's Day out - " No show" 

Here comes the game changing moment, Kedar Jadav arrives at the crease in the 17th over when 39 runs were needed from 21 balls.  Clueless against the variations from Varun, kedar blocks the first 3  deliveries, much to the delight of the opposition camp.

Andrew Russell, who has been having a poor season with the bat, bowls a brilliant 18th over where Jadav swings , swings and couldn't put bat to ball - finally gets off the mark in 6 balls, surely must be the skippers advice to take the game deep. Just 3 runs and the wicket of Curran, Russel's 18th over, well supported by Kedar's miseries with the bat, ensures too much to get in the last 2 overs.

While an improbable 26 runs were needed of the last over, late flurry of boundaries from Jadeja, though after the match completely slips out, reduces the margin of victory by 10 runs. Kedhar remains unbeaten at 7* of 12 balls - Surely a match winning innings for KKR. Dinesh Karthik must be thankful to Dhoni and Jadav for gifting a victory and giving them a much needed win to go up in the points table.

Where CSK lost the match?? 

Here comes some of the questions to the Skipper Dhoni, who is obviously making the calls on the selection and batting order - I am sure these are the ones the Ardent CSK followers, with lot of anger, anguish and utter disappointment, would want to know

* Why choose an utterly out of form Kedhar, who has not been used as a bowler too, in the playing 11 on an important Match which the team needs to win to stay alive in the tournament? Why not a young batsman be given a chance from the reserves? The fans and  Mr Flemming think alike, but what did you see in Kedhar to persist with him throughout??

*Why did you bat at poor strike rate between the 13th to 17th over, as if you were batting against James Anderson and Stuart Broad to save a test match at Headingly, which made a chasable target look improbable in the last 2 overs?? If you believe you are not in the best of batting nick, why did not sent someone else who can swing his bat and get quick runs?

* Why did Kedar came ahead of Bravo, knowing that Bravo has been making an impact in the match with the ball and his good form in the preceding CPL with the bat before coming to the IPL? Why did Bravo did not get to bat in the last 3 matches, knowing his strike rate and big hitting can turn the match in your favour? Did you not want to win?

* Finally, isn't time to take tough calls on the non performing players and right away give chances to youngsters to " Cement" their place and to save the reputation of the reputed franchise owned by the famous "India cements"??

Whats the road ahead?

CSK meets arch rivals RCB at Dubai Today ( 10th October)in their last league match of the 1st round  ( won 2 out of  6 matches played)

A win will save pride and raise hopes of a miraculous comeback to reach the Play off, A loss will certainly make things almost impossible. One change is certain for CSk, Jadav will be warming the bench...

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Watson, Faf strings Record Partnership of 181* as the Lions Roars back in style – Thumping 10 wicket win for the Super kings over Kings XI

Watson, Faf strings Record Partnership of 181* as the Lions Roars back in style – Thumping 10 wicket win for the Super kings over Kings XI

 

Third Man” - A Review by Kannan

 

Match : Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings 11 Punjab

Venue : Dubai

Date : 4^th October 2020

Result: CSK beat Punjab by 10 Wickets

 

At last, the smiles are back in the Super Kings dressing room and the millions of fans as they shut the critics with a thumping 10 wicket win over the Kings XI at Dubai, in the process registering record partnership for CSK as well as the 2^nd best opening partnership while chasing and winning by 10 wickets. Shane Watson and Faf Du Plussis were the key architects of the resounding victory where they toyed with the Punjab bowling attack and finished it off in style with couple of biggies.

 

Conservative start by the Kings 11 Openers, Rusty CSK on the field

Kings 11 Openers got off to a sedate start, nudging the bowlers around and hitting the occasional boundaries – Chahar and Curran settled into a good rhythm and ensured “even stevens” in the power play. when the scoreboard read 61/0 in 8 overs and Punjab was about to accelerate, the spinners came on and bowled better than they have been through out this tournament. Chawla dismissed Mayank while Mandeep Joined KL and they both looked good without taking too many risks. The fielding was rusty and the coach Flemming was visibly upset with his animated reactions and gestures looking for more commitment from his fielders.

 

Jadeja, who has been off color with the ball, came to the party and dismissed Mandeep – At 94/2 in 12 overs, with the sublime KL Rahul still batting well and looking hungry, it was looking like Kings will not settle anything less than 200, which would be a tough chase for CSK , given their form of their batters. Kl and Pooran, who is famous for his cameos and big striking, started to shift gears in the 15^th over when KL played some delightful extra covers drives of Curran while Pooran started to go bang by connecting 3 big sixes on leg side, spoiling the figures of Thakur.

 

Final 4 overs – Gun Fielding and Shardul Come back with the ball

It was worry in the CSK camp when KL, who can strikes at 300 in the death overs and Pooran were cutting lose – CSK’s fielders stepped up on the field, spring in their steps was pleasing to see. Thakur made a brilliant come back in the 17^th over by mixing up the speeds, bowling the slower ones and wide Yorkers, castling Pooran and Kl in successive deliveries – the former to a brilliant catch by Jadeja at deep mid-wicket and the latter to a diving catch by MS Dhoni, happened to be his 100^th catch as a wicket Keeper in IPL.

 

The double delight by Thakur completely spoiled Kings 11 plans and  KL Rahul would be upset not to carry on, the last 4 over produced only 37 runs and Super kings finished the innings on a high by restricting Punjab to 178 on a batting beauty at Dubai.

 

Racing start in the Power Play 61/0 in 6 Overs, the Opening woes are history

When CSK opener marched towards the crease, lot of anxiety and doubts remained in the hearts of the fans whether they will fire or continue with the “ Test” Match display witnessed so far – All the doubts turned into hope by the 4^th over when CSK were at 33/0, their best start across the last 3 matches. Watson repaid the faith shown by the skipper by middling it from the word go, driving positively through the straight boundaries with his customary front foot stride and powerful shots. Du Plussis played the role of the aggressor flicking, pulling and the lap shots behind the wicket taking the attacking to Shami & Cottrell, who were running out of ideas.

 

A comparison of the scores at the end of 6^th over – Punjab : 44/0 , CSK : 60/0, Remarkable turnaround by the champion players ticking yet another box which did not work well for them until now. Couple of Changes made by Punjab in the bowling dept did not work either as Chris Jordan, the new incumbent brought to control the death overs, had a horrifying Birthday as Faf took him apart by hitting for four boundaries totaling to 19 runs in the very first over he bowled.

 

Du Plussis Watson Show – Record Partnership for CSK

Watson joined the party and matched Faf shot by shot and showed what a wounded Lion can do when it is back to its belligerent best – Pulling,sweeping and taking on the spinners , hitting 3 sixes in the process one of which was a humongous one crossing 100 metres. Watson reached his 50 in 31 balls ,while Faf did in 33 balls, continuing his prime form throughout this tournament. The Record partnership of 181* was a stamp of authority these two men had on the Punjab bowlers and led to a comfortable win with 2 overs to spare.

 

Super kings are back

The Super kings are back to winnings ways after 3 consecutive losses – This is what the Fans were waiting for and hope this is just a beginning and few more wins on the trop needed to go up in the points table. While this team looks settled, there is one or two spots up for the grabs and with someone like Imran Tahir or an young batsman (in place of Jadhav) added to the lineup, this CSK team will be a force to reckon with. However, it is time to party and cheer for Yellow .

 

“Watto” “Faf”bulous win for CSK, 2 Super King Giants knocks down the Kings 11 – ‘Whistle podu’ time for the CSK community & fans

Will Dhoni’s Men bounce back with a “Super” show at Dubai and topple Sun Risers?

 Will Dhoni’s Men bounce back with a “Super” show at Dubai and topple Sun Risers?

Third Man” – CSK Match Preview ( by Kannan)

Hello All, Third Man is back with yet another edition after a week witnessing plenty of actions in the ongoing IPL, what a drama each and every match is producing starting from Mayank’s brilliant hundred, Samson’s hurricane innings followed by Terrific Tewatia’s game changing innings to ABD’s 360 degree ball striking, Pollard’s brutal innings, Young Ishan Kishan’s power packed 99, Yet another Super Over thriller!. Amidst all the power hitting, bowlers are making their presence felt too, Washington’s unbelievable spell of 4-0-12-1 in the match which produced 400+ runs , Saini’s stupendous 19^th over and the “match winning” Super over which won the game for RCB.

Let’s take a pause and follow the Super Kings and analyze what went wrong for them, what are the options left in the squad to make a turnaround and what is the best XI to be out in the park against Sun Risers for Friday’s night at Dubai.

What went wrong for CSK?

After an impressive victory against the Mumbai Indians at the tournament opener, Super Kings have lost direction, momentum by lack of Intent from the Top order and the ineffective display from the spinners, whom the Team Management always banks on to take them home, losing 2 in a row and sitting at the bottom of the points table looking for hope and change in fortune.

 

At the Auction table

To be honest, Super kings lost the plot at the auction table where they picked the squad of spinners and aging warhorses keeping the chepauk track in mind to produce as many victories on slow and low surfaces, which turned out to be fatal as the Covid fiasco shifted the High profile IPL to UAE with all the teams playing on 3 grounds, completely taking out the “Home Advantage” factor.

 The fallout between the Management and Raina did not help things either – Probably in the hindsight, had Raina’s ask for a balcony was taken care of, CSK might have been sitting and cooling off at their balcony with 3 wins in their bag.

The Top order has been really out of sorts in the 3 games played, barring one good innings from Rayudu – Watson is struggling for his touch while Vijay is completely out of the equation and likely to be replaced, the openers strike rate and lack of aggression was the real cause for the Super Kings not to cross the winning line in last 2 matches. 40 runs in 4 overs is the kind of start they must be looking for with the bunch of multi-facet players in the middle order to build up the momentum for Dhoni & co to strike big and finish out the death overs.

 

Spinners play Spoilsport

The tweakers, who used to thrive and smile on the “dusty” Chepauk tracks, are having pretty difficult times at the UAE, going for runs, being hoicked for the biggies, and unable to take wickets to put breaks on the opposition scoring rate. Chawla is slowly getting back to his groove , which is a good sign, but Jadeja has been completely lacking in confidence and if he has to play, he will have to bowl his economical quota of overs and contribute decently with the bat as well.

 

Dhoni’s batting position, Kedhar’s place in the Team, Lack of Strategic moves

One person who is extremely lucky on this world right now in Kedhar Jadhav, who is neither contributing much with the bat and has not bowled a single ball in this tournament, still finds a place regularly in the playing eleven. He has got opportunities way too many and time to be replaced to slot a better player who can add more balance to the line up. While it is unfair to judge Dhoni’s batting in just 3 matches, Dhoni’s value to the team is immense and he needs to bat higher up the order, face as many balls for him to get, set and go for the carnage during the last 3 overs. 

As a Captain, Dhoni has not been tactically right so far,  whether it is on deciding the playing XI or lack of  smart moves such as opening the bowling with a spinner or outsmarting the opponent with different field positions. Dhoni, if he picks the right XI, comes into bat around 14^th over, and tactically uses his limited resources, Super kings are certain to win more than they lose.

 

Where is the “Fast bowler” , Where is the “Mystery Spinner”, Where are the “Young Indian” Players?

Though this is mere introspection and nothing is going to change, I still wonder why the Super Kings, with the legendary Dhoni at the helm, did not go for a single express pace bowler like Nortje who can bowl quick in the 145kph and rattle the batsman during the death overs or a someone like Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, from the  Mystery spinner’s club  who can keep even the best of batsman guessing with their guiles and variations. 

Finally, why did not go for the young Indian players who are exhibiting phenomenal performances – The likes of Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Murugan Ashwin, T Natarajan ( Ironically, All of them happens to be from Tamil Nadu), Gill, Shivam Mavi are some of the names who should have been given a thought.

 

What is in store at CSK’s Bench

While I do not want to be over critical, the underlying truth is Super kings squad looks the weakest of the teams competing for the coveted IPL 2020 trophy. There is not much optimism looking at the back-ups options available especially for the Top order batsman and the fast bowlers, while the spin department is safe with the likes of “Young” Imran Tahir waiting to run around the ground and Santner ready to show his capabilities as a mutli-dimensional player. There is lot of hope on Shane Watson to fire and millions of fans praying for it to happen as there is absolutely no options in the bench for  an aggressive Top order batsman.

The good news is that Rayudu is fit and the belligerent “ Bravo” is all set to play his 1^st match of this edition – Bravo into the scheme of things will bring lot of positivity into the CSK ranks as he is a game changer and a match winner on his day, with bat, ball and on the field.

“Third Man’s Eleven” for tomorrow’s Encounter against the Sun Risers at Dubai

Having discussed on what went wrong and the if’s and but’s, its time to move ahead and see what is the best combination to be selected to pull of couple of wins, which is the need of the hour. Below is my eleven in the batting order – The Skipper may not agree to some of my changes. 

Hazelwood, Tahir unfortunate to miss out due to the restriction on overseas players. Super Kings will have the advantage having played already at Dubai and got used to the pitch and the ground dimensions.

 

Shane Watson

Faf Duplussis

Ambati Rayudu

Ravindra Jadeja

MS Dhoni

DJ Bravo

Sam Curran

Deepak Chahar

Karan Sharma

Shardul Thakur

 

“Bat first, Runs on the board, Get Warner and Bairstow early, Tie them with spin, Go for the Kill, Yell for Yellow” – Hope the message reaches the CSK dug out. Come on CSK!!

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