The IPL is halfway through and nobody apart front the ‘Delhi Daredevils’ have been able to string along any sort of consistent performance. Whilst my team, ‘The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are two times champions we just cannot seem to get any momentum going.
We are still sitting in third place which is great considering we have not found our best form.
It has been an interesting tournament on many fronts.
Last season CSK played some really good cricket and I thought were deserving champions. Our form, especially in the back half of the tournament, was exceptional and I know our Captain MS Dhoni is confident that we can pick at the right time again this season and be run away third time champions.
We have a couple of reinforcements arriving (Australia’s Mike Hussey and Ben Hilfenhous). These players have been away with the Australian test side in the West Indies and now that their commitments have been fulfilled its T20 Cricket for them and hopefully their enthusiasm will spark us over in May.
Incorrect Media
What has the IPL been like this year?
Well I have seen a few media reports stating the bubble have burst, TV viewership is down and the tournament is doomed.
I cannot disagree with this anymore strongly.
This year’s edition has seen full houses everywhere we go, online watching is up by a whopping 56% and with such a close tournament with everybody beating everyone the matches have been close and exciting.
So far, I have not been able to make it onto the field.
It is extremely frustrating not being able to enter the action and show everyone what I can do. As most of you will be aware, only four overseas players are allowed at any one time.
We have used South Africa’s Faf DuPlessis as an opening batsman, who is vying for the purple cap (the award given for the leading run scorer in the tournament). He has been great. On top of this, Dwayne Bravo from the West Indies and Albie Morkel from South Africa, have been our all-rounders and my main competitors. They have also played well and hence, breaking this combo has been tough.
The last overseas spot has been for a fast bowler and that has been either Australia’s Doug Bollinger or Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Kulasekera.
It has been a training ground, where I have done my best. All you can do is be professional and train hard hoping that your opportunity comes at some stage.
I have always believed that local Indian players are critical to win in IPL matches.
With seven locals in the team, you need them to play well.
We are very fortunate that we have Dhoni and other Indian internationals Raina, Ravi, Ashwin, Murali, Saha and Badrinath, all of who have played for India over the last 12 months. Therefore, this contingent is definitely our strong suit.
We have not so far seen many match winning knocks from Dhoni or Raina but as I mentioned, we are only half way through.
As the saying goes, “Form is temporary but class is permanent.”
Scott Styris is an all-round cricketer with Black Caps. He is a right-handed middle order batsman and medium pace bowler. He will soon be playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL matches in India. Scott writes a regular column in Indian Newslink.
