Chennai seek to cash in when it matters most
Posted on May 28, 2008 at 20:34 | Updated May 28, 2008 at 22:29
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At one point in the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings looked like they will be the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. They ended up being the last and now that they are in, the Super Kings know the cobwebs from the league phase will have to be shed if they have to achieve glory.
With one semi-final spot up for grabs and two teams in the fray, the match against Deccan Chargers was almost a quarter-final for them and the Chennai Super Kings sealed a semifinal spot in style.
As they now prepare to face Kings XI Punjab in the semis, Chennai will take a lot of heart from the fact they beat them twice in the league phase.
"We will just play our natural game and will enjoy the format. We have to improve our intensity as well, so we are looking forward to it," said Suresh Raina.
While Chennai's batting has more or less been consistent, bowling has been the major concern for Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Chennai had conceded 211 against Rajasthan last week and while Laxmipathy Balaji and Manpreet Gony have been impressive in patches, Chennai is still waiting for a big performance by Muttiah Muralitharan.
"I am pretty happy with the batting despite the fact that we have collapsed a couple of times but that is fair enough in a twenty20 game. And of course, we can do better with the ball. So, that is what we are looking at and that is the area where we need to put in a bit more effort," said skipper Dhoni.
Chennai would also be hoping for a big one from Stephen Fleming, who hasn't been able to go past the 50 mark in 10 innings so far and the semifinal's crunch scenario should push the former Kiwi captain to deliver big at the top of the order.
"I have got the good starts but haven't got the finishing which I would have liked to get to the 60s or the 70s. I am concentrating on getting the good opening stand," said Stephen Fleming.
With two straight wins, Chennai seem to have regained the momentum they had lost midway into the tournament, and would be hoping to make the most of it now in the semi-finals.
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Posted By Sunshine
I m a fan of dhoni and so wants the chennai team to win, but have a strong feeling that
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