Chennai Super Kings back to rousing welcome

Fifty days was all the time Chennai Super Kings required to expiate its guilt and turn over a new leaf glistening with arguably the most coveted domestic T20 trophy in the world. The hurt of missing out on Indian Premier League for two years made way for a glorious chapter of redemption that culminated in it winning the trophy for a record-equalling third time.

Even upon its reinstatement, travails tailed the team from unforeseen quarters as it was forced to vacate its home under not so pleasant circumstances and look for an alternate venue making it rethink its strategy. 

Far from being rankled by the unseemly developments, the players and the support staff accepted it with remarkable forbearance to script a triumph of epic proportions. 

Retracing our steps back to the auction in January, it would be worthwhile to recollect how there were sceptics abound questioning the logic of choosing ageing stars in what is essentially perceived to be a young man’s sport. Silencing its critics and defying the conventional wisdom has become second nature to the Super Kings. 

Less than 24 hours after it feasted on a strangely subdued Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final, the all-conquering Lions were accorded a rousing welcome back in their ‘first’ home. Addressing the media, head coach Stephen Fleming deflected any unwanted attention off him and instead paid glowing tributes to MS Dhoni’s inspiring leadership. 

“It was the Dhoni impact. Dhoni has a strong influence and impact on players. He has a strong ability to bring the best out of players. It is a strong dynamic. We use the strength of a remarkable captain, with strong franchise and a good game plan,” the former New Zealand captain said. 

Another 36-year-old who has become the toast of his team and the franchise in a short span of time is the burly Australian all-rounder Shane Watson whose methodical and calculated assault was instrumental in the team’s final conquest. And not surprisingly, Fleming was unequivocal in highlighting Watson’s role despite his advancing years. 

“We loved what Shane Watson has done in the past and our discussion was around his future. And we had seen during the Big Bash that his form had returned. We wanted to use him in a different way. We always like players who are multi-talented. And also, Shane has been to Chennai several times playing for Rajasthan. He is an incredible professional. He realised he has got some limitations. He looked after himself and Dhoni looked after him well,” the CSK coach said. 

Asked how tough it was to relocate to Pune, the affable Kiwi said the wealth of experience in his team helped in making a seamless transition. 

“Most of the plans were to build a team according to Chennai’s conditions but those things weren’t in our control. Moving out of Chennai was a difficult decision. We knew the conditions of Pune. We had to change the way we had to play the game. The experienced players enabled us to do that,” the 45-year-old added. 

In this hour of glory, it would be imprudent to rake over the wounds of the past or worry about what the future holds. Time, more than any other antidote, is indeed a great healer and every CSK fan would vouch for that age-old maxim.