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✪ Chennai Super Kings’ ninth entry into the IPL final is a case study on success
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Senior cricket writer & analyst
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By reaching the IPL final for the ninth time, Chennai Super Kings has proved that they are a champion team. Their creditable show is a case study on success. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has repeatedly squashed negative opinions about his team and even himself.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhohi steers his team to the target. Photo: CSK Twitter
Whether Chennai Super Kings go on to win the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) or not is immaterial. Chennai Super Kings has reached the final of the IPL nine times in 12 seasons despite not playing in two seasons. This truly makes them a champion team.
The winner of the IPL will be based on how well they play in the final but what makes a champion team is its consistency. There is no way a team can reach a final nine times unless it is one of the formidable teams in world cricket. It is worth remembering that IPL is one of the most competitive cricket tournaments in the world where the best cricketers from around the world compete with each other.
This team has clinched a place in the history of Twenty20 format itself. Everyone who has been part of this team can proudly claim that they have been part of the best team in Twenty20 cricket. There are many factors that makes this team formidable. There is an intelligent and hardworking support staff that shapes the team for the battle. And above all this is the legend – skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni- whom fans address as ‘Thalaiva’, which in Tamil (language spoken in Chennai) means leader or boss. Starting off by guiding India to victory in the first edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, he has repeatedly shown that he knows the magic of winning matches. How he guides his team to win matches should be used a case study on success.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni receives a hug from Ravindra Jadeja after the winning hit. Photo CSK Twitter
Chennai Super Kings is not a young team. So they defy the oft remarked theory that the T20 format is one in which youngsters are a must to win matches. Even if they have lost successive matches, they have managed to come back strongly.
Is it because of Dhoni’s faith in his players and not changing the playing eleven frequently? The match against Delhi Capitals was also a battle between Rishabh Pant, the youngest captain in the IPL, versus Dhoni the oldest captain. More than the experience that Dhoni carries, there is another factor, something that he mentioned before the start of the match against Delhi: “We try to keep it simple, irrespective of any game. We analyse our shortcomings and that has helped us.”
Many teams carry out so much of analysis that it leads to analysis-paralysis. Dhoni’s theory of keeping it simple has helped. An important aspect in winning matches depends on conquering anxiety and worry. When players are not concerned about losing their place for the next match, they will go on to deliver their best freely. Robin Uthappa, who played a pivotal role in their win over Delhi through his brilliant knock of 63, explained this factor after the match: “I always maintain that this has been one of the most secure franchises going around and everyone feels secure within the group. I think that only makes a player give that much more to the franchise.”
Robin Uthappa celebrates his half century. Photo: CSK Twitter
Dhoni relishes squashing negative opinions, be it about his team or himself. Hitting 18 crucial runs in six balls, he announced to the world that ‘Dhoni the finisher’ is not yet finished and that Chennai is the team that other teams will have to beat to win the IPL title.
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