MUMBAI: Two back-to-back losses can be a demotivating factor for any team in the fast-paced world of IPL. However, Chennai Super Kings players looked in a cheerful mood on Wednesday - the eve of their match against Mumbai Indians.
The return of their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni surely had something to do with that.
After being laid low for almost a week by a hit on his right elbow from a Shane Bond delivery, MSD was back to the nets at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The big shots boomed in the intervals and the phsyio was on standby to loosen the medical tapes on the elbow. "It's a psychological boost having your skipper back," said the team's Kiwi coach Stephen Fleming before cautiously adding "We are hopeful and looking forward to Dhoni playing."
Recalling the topsy turvy loss to Kings XI Punjab in the Super Over and then the thrashing at the hands of the Royal Challengers, Fleming quipped, "We're a pretty positive side and we understand there are ups and downs in this form of the game. It doesn't get any easier but we are confident of what we can do, if we play well." The task surely isn't an easy one given the Mumbai Indians' run on home turf. But Fleming said his side was ready for the bullfight.
"Bangalore and Mumbai are certainly the most in-form teams at the moment and it is for the other teams to bring them down. That's our responsibility against Mumbai," he said.
For that to happen, the Super Kings would expect their big gun Matthew Hayden to explode once again, maybe with the Mongoose bat. What if he fails? "Hayden is a big-game player. If he doesn't perform, then we look to the Dhonis, the Rainas and Morkels. That's the beauty of having a good side," was Fleming's cool reply.
There will also be another difference between CSK's match at Bangalore on Tuesday and this one on Thursday: unlike the bouncy Chinnaswamy pitch, the track at Brabourne is a slow one. That will make Harbhajan Singh and Muthiah Muralitharan the ones to watch out for.
"I feel very good about it as it suits our game. Our leading wicket-taker is Murali and our spinners are also comfortable playing on slow tracks. It's good for us," felt Fleming.
There's perhaps also one huge difference on either side: the blazing form of Sachin Tendulkar. If the master continues from where he left two nights ago, it could well be another toughie for the Super Kings.
The return of their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni surely had something to do with that.
After being laid low for almost a week by a hit on his right elbow from a Shane Bond delivery, MSD was back to the nets at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The big shots boomed in the intervals and the phsyio was on standby to loosen the medical tapes on the elbow. "It's a psychological boost having your skipper back," said the team's Kiwi coach Stephen Fleming before cautiously adding "We are hopeful and looking forward to Dhoni playing."
Recalling the topsy turvy loss to Kings XI Punjab in the Super Over and then the thrashing at the hands of the Royal Challengers, Fleming quipped, "We're a pretty positive side and we understand there are ups and downs in this form of the game. It doesn't get any easier but we are confident of what we can do, if we play well." The task surely isn't an easy one given the Mumbai Indians' run on home turf. But Fleming said his side was ready for the bullfight.
"Bangalore and Mumbai are certainly the most in-form teams at the moment and it is for the other teams to bring them down. That's our responsibility against Mumbai," he said.
For that to happen, the Super Kings would expect their big gun Matthew Hayden to explode once again, maybe with the Mongoose bat. What if he fails? "Hayden is a big-game player. If he doesn't perform, then we look to the Dhonis, the Rainas and Morkels. That's the beauty of having a good side," was Fleming's cool reply.
There will also be another difference between CSK's match at Bangalore on Tuesday and this one on Thursday: unlike the bouncy Chinnaswamy pitch, the track at Brabourne is a slow one. That will make Harbhajan Singh and Muthiah Muralitharan the ones to watch out for.
"I feel very good about it as it suits our game. Our leading wicket-taker is Murali and our spinners are also comfortable playing on slow tracks. It's good for us," felt Fleming.
There's perhaps also one huge difference on either side: the blazing form of Sachin Tendulkar. If the master continues from where he left two nights ago, it could well be another toughie for the Super Kings.
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