IPL 2023 The Road to the Final-- CSK Journey AKA The MSD Journey

 

CSK roared back in the current edition if the IPL storming in to the finals. One would think that they surpassed  not just themselves but the expectations of the Yellow Army as well. Finishing 9^th in the previous edition having won only four matches , the expectation would have been marginal . It would have been great if they  had bought exciting  players in the auction preceding the 2023 edition.  They bought in Ben Stokes ( little play time and very little impact ) , Rahane ( considered an average buy or a replacement for Pujara but what a transformed player he was and super impact ) .. Rest no great buys were not of any note.

But the CSK management made One big difference—MS Dhoni will lead the team and that was it ( 2022 edition saw a derailed succession plan fail ,Recovery actions  was too late  from a tournament standing perspective)  . 

There was only one reason for CSK to get in to the finals and it was Dhoni s leadership – It was astute , clever , cool stuff supported by consistent actions,  deep understanding of the game situation  and leading from the front -- Never flustered with the situation –

 

More reasons – 

Most thought and still believe that this will be MSD ‘s last season and with home grounds and away grounds opening up, the crowds  did not want miss watching MSD and thereby  watch CSK Play—It was a huge surprise to note that every away ground turned up in Yellow to show their support for MSD… Just tells you about this man and his contribution  to Indian Cricket.

 Letting players play their game—This helped players to deliver when it mattered—Known fact that Rituraj and Devon Conway will deliver with good opening stands but what mattered was the hefty blows that Dubey struck—And Rahaane – what a transformation – His knock against Mumbai Indians set the tone for his career revival… Who would have imagines that Rahane can play the big shots and score as T20 demands Moeen and Rayadu have to still pay back due .. Jaddu was Consistent and Reliable

 Managing injury and absence of Chahar—While Chahar may not be the same bowler he was  a season or two back , he was the man for the occasion. During his absence , managing Youngsters Akash and Hangargekar was not easy in this format.  Using Moeen Ali when needed and not always was a clever ploy.   Opposition teams could never plan on playing Moeen Ali because he was not used every match

 Preferring a settled team – No changes by match – Giving everyone time to settle down to deliver made every player   assured

 Dhoni s role as a batsmen – Come in last over or two , thump the ball out of the park –  He played that role pretty well --  ( MSD batted No 8 and at most venues the crowd clamored and encouraged the previous batting pair to loose their wicket so that MSD could bat.. This for sure did not go well with CSK batsman !

 Field placings—Although CSK lost their home match against KKR , the field placings to get KKR’s first three wickets was all Dhoni ;s brainchild.. A deep slip was in place  and all the three wickets , the catch went to this unique field setting.. Similar was the downfall of Saha in the Qualifier where Saha was set up to play the pull that went straight to Deep Square legs throat –

 Bowling Squad usage – This was again a neat set up.. Tushar got wickets but he will go for plenty – So using him had to be  made in between bowlers who could bowl tight overs… Spinners mostly took the middle overs  ( Post 6^th over till may be 15^th )  . Santner was used till Theekshana came on board – Two left armers would be a liability  and a leftie and Office was a good balance. Using Patharina so well – Bowl the 11^th over , then a break and then the 16^th ,18^th and 20^th –One would say this did fail against Punjab as well as RR but these things do happen . But persistence was the key… We all know now how dangerous Baby Malinga is turning out to be. Identifying the right potential and translating it to results is a key role that MSD plays…

Leading from the Front :

In the away match against RCB , FaF and Maxwell were on a roll—The target to chase looked small – There were two skiers – These were high catches and Dhoni took both of them – One would have noticed him calling for it and using the right technique—These are not easy to catch— The match turned on its head – For Comparison , Watch Jitesh Sharma of RR trying to catch a similar skier and dropping !  Not easy but this our Thala .. Only he can do it  ( Thanks Hema Ravi  -- CSK Fan and Thala Fan -  Great to share notes with you )

 Somethings that got me winding up as well

At Chepauk , when MSD stepped up ahead of his slot against MI to bat , the scene was just surreal.. The whole stadium was up , clapping and cheering .. Not a single soul was sitting… Such is the love and respect that this man gets from everyone. Forget the match , this was a moment that will be etched in my memory forever.

And after their last home match ( pre qualifiers ) , as the team went around and thanked the crowd, one of the Commentators who was on Air saw MSD walking past him, took the opportunity to get to MSD , showed his chest with the shirt on and had MSD autograph the shirt. Now look this person is a legend by himself – that was Sunil Manohar Gavaskar for you.. Watching this was unbelievable  and for Sunil to do what he did , showed up his openness and acknowledging what a great person MSD had been !  What a moment it was !

 

A great season for CSK – Will wait to see if they can win the title… Does not matter what happens , it is the Dhoni Journey that will be spoken for a long long time.