dlf ipl matches (chennai super kings)

We can win IPL 2010: Dhoni

Chennai: Everyone in the Chennai Super Kings team is going the ‘Mahi Way’. And why shouldn’t they? After all, MS Dhoni led the team to the knockout phases of the first two IPL editions. Dhoni too is radiating confidence ahead of IPL 2010 and believes that they can win the trophy if the team plays to potential.

Speaking at a press conference in this city on Monday, along with coach Stephen Fleming and cricket manager V B Chandrasekhar, the skipper expressed the belief that the league provides a great platform for talented youngsters to prove themselves and get an entry into the national team.

A relaxed and confident Dhoni told reporters, “We reached the final and the semi-final in the first two editions. We can win the title but need to play to our potential.”

The debonair wicket-keeper batsman, though, did throw in a word of caution for the fans, stated, “But then, given the kind of format Twenty20 cricket is, you cannot guarantee success. Things can change very quickly. You can have good days and the not so good ones.”

Maintaining that the Super Kings’ core strength is batting, the Team India captain said, “We are basically a strong batting unit. We have a useful bowling attack too.”

Despite losing two of his main players: Andrew Flintoff and Jacob Oram to injury, Dhoni is still confident because of the presence of South Africans Justin Kemp and Albie Morkel.

He admitted that CSK would miss the injured Flintoff, and he wasn’t sure about when Oram would be fit enough to play, but added, “We have Justin Kemp this year though. He can be a destructive batsman and can chip in with the ball.”

He also expected the senior bowlers to rise to the occasion. “Someone like Muttiah Muralidaran is still a very good bowler. He is also a great character, adds a lot to the dressing room.”

Dhoni felt IPL was a great grooming ground for the domestic players. He told reporters, “I think coach Fleming and cricketers such as Michael Hussey have been good mentors. A lot of Indian cricketers have benefited. S Badrinath, MS Gony and M Vijay have gone on to play for India. Suresh Raina has emerged a much better cricketer. So, the IPL really helps the emerging players.”

This is the reason why Dhoni supports the notion of having only four foreign cricketers in the playing XI. “It is the Indian Premier League, right? I think the Indian cricketers should gain the most from it.”

Speaking at the event, coach Stephen Fleming said, “While the international players enable a side win a game or two, it is the strength of the domestic players that helps a team win the title. I think a lot of good local talent has come through in Tamil Nadu.

“This is a region that has a rich history in the game and is extremely proud of its cricket. There is a very good development system for young cricketers here. All said, local players are the key.”
nnai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings Chennai Super Kings, owned by India Cements, managed to get the prized services of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the inaugural edition of IPL. Quite understandably, the Indian captain commanded the highest price at the player auctions - a whopping USD 1.5 million. Australia’s batting tour de force Matthew Hayden was roped in to give the batting a destructive edge - and he played his role to perfection in two successive seasons.

Stephen Fleming, who doubled as coach in the second season; the wily Muralidaran; batsman Suresh Raina; and all-rounder Albie Morkel helped Chennai reach the final. When the second round of auctions took place, Andrew Flintoff joined as one of the highest-paid players. In 2009, Hayden scored prolifically while his team entered the semi-final, only to be pipped at the post by RCB. Fleming has now been bought out by the side and is just the coach. At the 2010 auction, the team bought South African Justin Kemp, they also brought in Sri Lankan Thisara Perera for a sum of USD 50,00