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Showing posts with label Chennai Super Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chennai Super Kings. Show all posts
Inside CSK and GT camps before the IPL final
What makes the tournament special, yet over the top
After Gujarat Titans’ stunning win against a much-fancied Mumbai Indians, planning has been taken on a whole new level at CSK. While the IPL final, in all probability, could be MS Dhoni’s last IPL match, the captain wants to focus on the process – “I don’t want players to be distracted, they can be distracted eight months later when I take the decision. Right now, if you ask me, I want them to focus on the process that has got us here.”
Asked what this process was, MSD said, “that is not for me to tell, if you can guess, guess, otherwise you will publish it and GT will know all about it, so I’d rather keep quiet.”
At the GT camp, they were anything but quiet. Rahul Tewatia was all charged up, thumping his chest as he often does after miraculous death-over chases. He could be seen urging Shubman Gill to do the same. Gill was seen smiling to no one and everyone in particular. His mates were still lining up to kiss him. It had been learnt that die-hard GT fans had been queuing outside the stadium to kiss him.
Gill, nonchalant as ever, echoed Dhoni’s sentiment when he said, “I don’t want to be distracted. I just want to focus on my process that has got me here.”
GT skipper Hardik Pandya was more forthcoming when he said, “We all know what Shubman can do, you know and we have come to expect this of him. I know he says the process is important but even before the process we have to look at if everyone is following the process and why is he only showing such results.” At this point, coach Ashish Nehra walked past Pandya, mumbling something inaudible to him.
As Pandya continued to ramble, Nehra returned and said something within earshot, “Talk to him later, or don’t talk to him, let’s discuss how Mumbai made so many runs, they should have lost by more than 100 runs, that Shami over nearly cost us.” As for Shami, he could be seen laughing, imitating the sitter that went through his hands.
Mentor Gary Kirsten looked quite unaffected by all this. Almost mirroring this was CSK coach, Stephen Fleming. While Ruturaj Gaikwad, who some are pipping as Dhoni’s successor, came forward to say a few words, “We don’t need to look at GT. We need to look at ourselves. Our strengths. Everywhere there are photos of Gill’s six-pack. Why are there no photos of my six-pack? Few know I have a six-pack. At CSK, it is not our style to be demonstrative. More so after Bravo retired. But everyone here knows I have a six-pack. I even mentioned it in a post-match IPL interview.”
At this point, everyone cracked up, but what stunned everyone was a power-point presentation that did a comparison of Gill and Gaikwad’s six-packs. While everyone continued to laugh, Gaikwad remained poker-faced.
At GT, preps for their second IPL final in a row were on in earnest. Everyone had been given copies of Oscar Wilde’s 'The importance of being earnest'. It was Nehra’s idea – “I have not read the book, and you don’t have to also, what is important is the title. And we are after the title. Once we have the title, you can read the book. Or Not.” He continued to talk briskly in Hindi, saying the focus on the title was all that matters.
Pandya echoed Nehra’s sentiment, “What Ashu pa is saying is correct, if I had been reading books then I would’ve been some modest cricket writer and not this flashy captain of an IPL winning team. We have to wear our attitude on our sleeve, you must have heard that saying. I believe, you have to wear it on both sleeves.”
In the CSK war-room, there was a secret visitor. It was GT bowler, Mohit Sharma. Sharma was ex-CSK and was seen animatedly talking to Dhoni after the first Eliminator. He had popped in to thank Dhoni, talking straight as he did after his 5 for 10 against MI. He was asking Dhoni what he thought of his speech. When Dhoni said he didn’t watch speeches, he only made them, Sharma repeated it verbatim.
After Sharma left, Pandya appeared. He too wanted to spend time with his ‘elder brother’, Dhoni. He was quite emotional and MS had to calm him down. Pandya was seen ruffling Dhoni’s hair.
Gradually, other GT members entered to speak with Dhoni and his CSK team-mates. The broadcasting crew appeared and started filming this. Ex-CSK player and broadcaster, Mathew Hayden, piped in, “It’s only in the IPL that you will see something like this. No doubt this is the greatest league in the world.”
Harbhajan Singh, by his side, agreed, “I have to agree with you, even you and I are now friends all thanks to the IPL.” Sunil Gavaskar could be seen taking out shirts from a bag, having them autographed by Dhoni. When reminded that he already had his shirt autographed by MS on Live TV, he quipped, “In India, the moment you have something precious, your family, friends and neighbours want it.”
Ashish Nehra hovered past mumbling to himself.
(However plausible this may sound, this is a work of fiction)
First published on cricket.com
Dhoni after CSK.
A triple-role with Delhi Capitals? Or a coaching stint at 'Ranchi Sunrisers'?
Every season, the one question that does the rounds is: is this his last season? Last year, MS Dhoni gave every indication that he wanted to play at his CSK home ground, Chepauk, and then take a call on his IPL career.
Dhoni’s call has been answered by every stadium in India. Every stadium has been a sea of yellow. A CSK fortress. No matter where, it's been Mahi’s home ground. The high point of every CSK match has been when MSD's come out to bat. Ad breaks ceased. Both Star and Jio have been largely aligned on this.
It may have been for just a few deliveries, towards the end of every CSK innings but MSD has come out swinging each time – striking at nearly 200, Dhoni’s daredevilry with the bat has left all gasping for more. After 12 matches, even though MSD has faced a mere 50 deliveries, he has scored 98 runs, with 10 sixes. Dhoni out in the middle has been an event.
It hasn't been uncommon for even those not watching the match, to turn it on. It hasn't been uncommon for those who were turned on elsewhere, to turn to the match. It's been the Dhoni factor. Mobiles switched on, TVs tuned into, viewership peaking. Everyone have sensed, this season is all about Dhoni’s withdrawal.
The eternal question has been, what will CSK be after Dhoni stops playing? Everyone expected that he would remain with the franchise in some capacity, most probably as a mentor, much like Tendulkar is with Mumbai Indians.
Apparently it could be quite to the contrary. It has been learnt that Dhoni hopes to take on something more challenging – a leadership role at a hopeless franchise, either Delhi Capitals or Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both teams are languishing at the bottom, with a handful of games remaining. Dhoni wishes to see, by the end of the season, which of the two teams is more useless.
In their two matches against each other, DC and SRH have won one match a piece. The margin of defeat has been similar, 7 and 9 runs. Both teams chasing had 4 wickets in the bank, played their overs out, and tested the patience of their handful of fans.
Asked if this is true, Dhoni remained non-committal but did say, “Even useless teams have some use. I remember when I was at the Pune franchise (Rising Pune Supergiants), I did feel they had some use – when I returned to CSK, it was with new vigour. I’m not saying I will be taking on a leadership role with either of the teams but I’m not ruling it out either. One must keep looking at fresh challenges.
"Sometimes I feel that we at CSK, with Flem as coach and me there too, are a well-oiled machine. We need to challenge ourselves. That’s why, if you remember, we made Jadeja the captain in between. The rest, y’kno, everyone saw. Some will remember the issues with Raina too, what seemed like a non-issue but really, it’s how you decide to look at matters and take them in your own hands”
The Delhi management said they’d love to have Dhoni in any role: “Ideally we’d like to have him captain, coach and mentor our team as we are missing persons in all three roles. It has been a painful experience for us and we are looking to rename the franchise again. We also are looking at Dhoni to suggest a new name or if he’s fine with us using his name, something like Dhoni’s Delhi – we feel it has a ring to it but finally it is what Dhoni is comfortable with. We are also comfortable to change our jersey to yellow as that is something he is used to. It is still early days and I do not want to make any comments as such so please don’t quote me”
The Hyderabad franchise claimed ever since things had been going south for them, Dhoni was on their mind. “Dhoni’s association with the south is well documented. He is revered in Chennai. Also, the shift from yellow to orange (SRH’s colours) will be quite seamless. I know, DC is keen to have him on board but I do feel, MSD and Hyderabad are a natural fit. I have heard that Delhi is wooing him with a change in name, we will pull out all stops too. We are even prepared to call ourselves Ranchi Sunrisers to make him feel at home”.
When contacted regarding the comments of the DC and SRH management, Dhoni kept it brief, “Nothing to add”.
Just then, Dhoni’s phone rang with the tune 'Main pal do pal ka shayar hu.’
(However plausible this may sound, this is a work of fiction)
First published at cricket.com
Two teams with nothing to lose, decide to lose it in style
To paraphrase Ravi Shastri, “It’s just what the defeats ordered”
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) both agreed to skip another practise session on the eve of their match. Both teams also agreed not to use the phrase, ‘playing for pride’. Instead, they are determined to ‘enjoy the ride’.
Seated in the common room to lighten the heavy atmosphere, here’s what transpired:
MI coach, Mahela Jayawardene cut to the chase, “let’s not be delusional anymore. We are against CSK who if I know something always know exactly what they are about. So my guess is they know they are bad. They also know we are worse. We have to somehow up our performance to bad and theirs to worse.”
Mentor Sachin Tendulkar nods, “can I say something, I was just speaking to my driver. No, not the same guy in the Mutual Fund ad. Anyway, he asked me, what has gone wrong with Mumbai Indians, do they not believe in themselves anymore. I said, they believe in their future selves. That’s when his eyes popped like my driver in the MF ad. I explained to him, how MI is like a sci-fi film, set in the future, and to win next year’s IPL, they had to lose this one. Like how CSK won last year’s so they could lose this one. That’s when we both tightened our seat-belts”
Zaks claps his hands and snaps, “I’d like to keep it short, but you guys will have to vary your lengths”
Dewald Brevis chips in, “I have a cousin who’s 9-10 years old, back home they call him AB Baby square - seeing as you’re planning for the future, should he turn up?”
Right then Jofra Archer appears on the screen with an obscure message - “on the rocks is not rock bottom. Musk can make his pitch. But you can still tweet. Or maybe he can’t and you can still tweet. You can be last but you can still tweet. Err win. Thanks for believing in my future self. I believe in your past, baby”
Finally, skipper, Rohit Sharma speaks, “I’m going for a net. Who wants to join can stay and talk…can come”
Rohit’s deputy, Jasprit Bumrah joins him.
The two leave the room. For some reason, both players are wearing a mosquito net. Kieron Pollard explains they’re going for a fantasy cricket shoot, where they will have to say the words, “Yeh mein kar leta hoon”. Pollard’s Hindi accent rips into the sombre atmosphere in the room.
Meanwhile, Tim David (dropped after 2 matches) is sitting in a far corner. In another far corner is Daniel Sams with an economy rate of 12.64.
Ishan Kishan reluctantly raises his hand asking if he can speak – I think we need to put a price on our wicket.
For some reason, everyone finds this funny. Which is when Tendulkar pipes up, “Guys, a lot of people on social media have been comparing a third umpire’s voice with mine. I can either accept that and laugh or be upset. I choose to accept it. Ishan, you must accept that you went for this price…”
Arjun Tendulkar interrupts, “Dad, why must you play everybody’s dad all the time”.
Sachin Tendulkar: I’m Jagat Papa
DJ Bravo knocks at the door – Guys, I’m organising a musical net where we can all dance in the nets for a while. Do join us.
***
At the nets, Jadeja is doing his vigorous sword dance. Nobody else is present except Mitchell Santner who is sitting on a bench.
The MI team is quite upset calling it an ambush. Just then Dhoni walks out with a production crew. Uthappa and Gaikwad follow.
All these ads by the bottom-ranked two teams, the irony is not lost on the players.
After the shoot is wrapped, the two teams assemble for a team-building exercise. The exercise lasts two minutes, with silence maintained throughout.
A ball crashes through to break the silence. It’s none other than Surya Kumar Yadav’s doing. After the camera crew had packed up, SKY had decided to go for a net. He had convinced Santner to get off the bench and bowl to him. Santner who had played in 7 games across 3 IPLs was initially surprised someone wanted him to bowl, albeit in a net.
When everyone stepped out, they also spotted Shivam Dube who was turning on the heat. Riley Meredith, yet to get a game for MI yet, was spotted turning his arm over.
Rohit and MS smiled at each other, posing and embracing, both now being interviewed, speaking about how the IPL brought teams together. Rohit quipped, “especially losing teams”
Dhoni waxed eloquently, “Just when you think all is lost, the turnaround starts. Of course, as you know, I have changed my game. Not just in the ad but otherwise also…from a captain, now I’m a Marg Darshak.”
Jadeja joins, “Mahi Bhai has shown me a lotta margs, and it is a learning process for me…I know many times I look clueless but that is because I am clueless. Captaining a side is tough and will tell on performance…all this while everyone was after Virat but look at Rohit and me now…hope this is off the record (looking straight into the camera)
Both MS and Rohit crack up, and Jadeja joins in somewhat involuntarily, not quite knowing what the joke is.
In the background, Dube and SKY are pounding the bowlers.
Rohit: This SKY is too serious…pata nahi kai ko net karta (don’t know why he’s getting a net)
Dhoni: Dube too, very serious. Glad that I didn’t…I mean Jadeja didn’t give him bowling…otherwise he would be netting all day
Rayudu appears, “Guys, the biryani is ready”
Shane Bond walks past with a weak smile, followed by Stephen Fleming, bobbing his eyes, as if he’s just woken up.
Fleming: Certainly, we are up to it, what will be a great contest between two great sides.
Interviewer: Do you think CSK and MI have left it too late?
Fleming: No, I don’t think so
Interviewer: What will you be playing for
Fleming: Daresay, think we’ve been undercooked, hopefully we’re warmed up now.
Interviewer: Is this a dig at Virat Kohli who Shastri called overcooked
Fleming refutes with a deadpan No and moves on.
Interviewer (to Rohit): Both you and Virat have scored less than 120 runs averaging only 19, what do have to say about that
Rohit: Virat is averaging nearly 20…don’t diffuse facts…
Sanjay Bangar appears out of nowhere (diplomatic as ever): I think Rohit and Virat are just one innings away from a big score. By the time Bangar finished his sentence, everyone has walked off, including the interviewer.
In the far distance, batters were queueing up for a net. Chris Jordan had ball in hand.
The Mumbai Indians issued a statement saying that Kieron Pollard retired from international cricket to focus on the make-or-break match vs CSK.
(However plausible this may sound, this is a work of fiction)
First published here
How Dhoni is the ultimate comeback man
Following the fourth one-dayer on Thursday, MS Dhoni called on N Srinivasan at his residence, on Friday morning for a breakfast befitting of the IPL Champions, CSK. Somewhat ironic, as little of either the CSK or IPL remains. But this was a breakfast built on hope, and the possibilities a new IPL team could bring. In hindsight, there were many breakfasts rolled into one, behind closed doors, here's how many an interest unfolded, that too without hardly any conflict.
Act 1
9.28am: Mahi's superbike announces him even before Srini's butler can. Inside Srini sits at the head of a somewhat dauntingly long dining table. The room is unlit, with its thick curtains undrawn. Light strains of a song, I have but one heart, from a Coppola film, trickle through. Mahi tip-toes into the room, much as he has often done from 0-40 in his many memorable ODI innings, largely unnoticed, mostly singles and twos.
Srini looks up from his filter coffee, nods at Mahi, who approaches him, and kisses his outstretched hand. "Godfather..." he mumbles under his breath. Srini replies - "Mahi, I'm gonna call you, Michael, sit down, Michael..." Srini gestures nowhere in particular, so Mahi (Michael) sits at the far end of the table. Srini speaks softly, so softly, Mahi can barely hear him. He shifts to the next chair. Still can't hear him. Advances yet another chair and another chair and still another chair until he's ultimately sitting under Srini's nose. Mahi asks Srini - "Sorry Godfather, could you repeat yourself, I didn't hear a thing you said?" Srini nods undramatically, mumbles, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" To which Mahi snaps, "What, you got me a new bike? A new IPL team?" Unmoved, Srini says, "Fresh masala dosa and filter coffee". Dhoni feigns enthusiasm - "Of course, that beats any bike, and yesterday's win has really whetted my appetite."
The masala dosa and filter coffee arrive but are largely untouched as Srini and Mahi have much to talk. Finally Srini dismisses the dosa, "That will be cold, bring Michael a fresh masala dosa..." The butler is baffled, Mahi helps him out, "He means me." Mahi excuses himself to go to the washroom.
Meanwhile, all along, there's a suspicious form hiding behind the curtain.
Act 2
MS walks in, in a business suit, the butler announces him as the vice-president, India Cements. He greets Srini with a sir, and places his laptop and file next to him as he draws a chair alongside the boss. The curtains have been drawn. Light strains of a song, "Speak softly, love", from a Coppola film, trickle through. Srini draws MS and his laptop closer, a masala dosa appears, goes largely unnoticed, as the two talk of the drop in share prices. "MS, what do you make of this development?" Srini asks largely befuddled by the latest development. Dhoni nods, runs the chairman through a detailed PowerPoint presentation - "Sir, as you can see, it's quite clear, that the economy has taken a beating, but that is unimportant, as the process is what is important to us, and cement is part of the process... So even though construction has taken a beating we must continue working on the process, sir." Srini nods, "Yes, I have employed you as VP for just such answers, long as we live in denial and refuse to let these rumours of conflict of interest affect us, we have a healthy future ahead of us in the building industry, any other suggestions?" MS ponders and then as if hit by a lightning bolt, confesses, "Yes sir, I have been thinking, that vital to the process is diversification, even as we remain true to our core values of building, how about we extend our interests into Lego? Srini is beatific, "Soooper, boy, soooper, your increment will be a fat one... Oh look, your masala dosa will be all soggy, new one for you".
MS excuses himself to go to the washroom. Meanwhile, all along, there's a suspicious form hiding behind the last folds of the drawn curtain.
Act 3
Dhoni bustles in, in his yellow CSK jersey. Light strains of a song, The pickup, from a Coppola film, trickle through. Part of the room is floodlit and a recreation of the Chepauk VIP box. TVs with CSK's various IPL triumphs are playing. Srini has his sporty shades on, is dressed casually, having just returned from a game of morning golf. Masala dosas arrive, and so do, Raina, Jadeja, Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Ishwar Pandey. Raina insists on taking a selfie with Srini. Dhoni and his bunch of CSK boys look at Srini expectedly. Srini asks, "Would you like to all join the ICC, we could float a T20 league called the ICC-PL?" Raina and Jadeja sound chuffed by this latest suggestion, however, Dhoni, is far more contemplative when he says, "But what about that old bastard, conflict of interest? Should we not just join a new IPL team for two years?"
Meanwhile, all along, there's a suspicious form hiding behind the curtain. Dhoni looks at the curtain and then at Srini, "All along, I've noticed there's something behind the curtain..."
Srini dismisses it, "Oh that, nothing, just a cricket enthusiast."
(However plausible this might sound, this is largely a work of fiction.)
First published here
Wanted: Open heart surgery for Indian cricket
"They know too much, most of which they cannot talk about, that's why journalists are such heavy drinkers". A journo friend, also a heavy drinker, once told me. It's been a few hours since the latest Indian Premier League (IPL) verdict, and I find myself thinking of those unspeakable names in the envelope. The names have been flying around for a while now. To those names are stories, conspiracy theories, truths, half-truths, our own narratives, and by now, way too many pegs downed by journalists who must keep their lips zipped. They possibly share those names with a few friends, and I suspect that's how far it goes. They can't even attribute those names in the envelope to sources, so no story has appeared. A tweet to Lalit Modi however has. But that too was brushed aside by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), giving no credence, as it often does, to all things Lalit Modi.
In the last few years, whenever there has been a ruling or a verdict, it has left me with much trepidation about the loopholes, and how the cricket masters will sneak out. They always have, haven't they? With the Lodha verdict, I'm hurled yet again into the dark recesses of the early 2000s when "The boys played well" and his "boy" were found out. Or so I thought.
Those thoughts are often like being sucked into a black hole of cricket emptiness. That nothing really happens to cricket's manipulators. Could it have changed today? On the face of it, it appears the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been suspended for two years. But is that the case? It's the owners of CSK and RR, India Cements and Jaipur IPL that have been suspended. Can the CSK and RR find new owners and still exist? Or do they just need to be managed by a new entity? Will India Cements float a subsidiary and somehow hoodwink us all, yet again, into not owning but really owning CSK? Is CSK, as much an IPL success story as it is an IPL failing, rotten to the core, and should it be allowed to exist? Or will it be salvaged, because resuscitating CSK is in the best interests of the BCCI and Indian cricket? Is Gurunath Meiyappan the least of it? Why did the BCCI pursue the whole affair with such reluctance? Did they even pursue it? Was it just down to damage control? Remember the time when they appointed Ravi Shastri to head some independent investigation?
Is the IPL rotten to the core? Is the BCCI rotten to the core? Are most IPL matches fixed? Isn't that what you think? Though no way as obvious as some of those Indian Cricket League (ICL) games, there was way too much happening that left me thinking, WTF? On second thoughts, the IPL could still redeem itself as an honest enterprise if it rechristened itself WTFL, the "L" is for "League".
Sitting at mid-off, a straight drive from the master should have had me mesmerised, instead, I wondered whether his friend and state-mate, intentionally made a hash of the fielding, rolling all over it at mid-on. When I second-guessed a result, or a certain batsman's score (half expecting a fifty or a 30 at least), it only allayed some of my deepest fears. And as those fears grew, I withdrew, watching fewer and fewer games.
It's only in the last two years, after the 2013 IPL scandal broke, that I've found IPL matches a lot less fishy. It appeared they had become almost discreet about the fixing; matches were often boring, fewer super overs, the good teams didn't lose too many, unpredictably.
And now this verdict. When I expected little, a rap on Meiyappan's and Kundra's knuckles at best. How cynical has Indian cricket left you? A two-year suspension is way more than I expected. But it's left me wanting more, and those names in the envelope for starters don't tell us it stops with Sreesanth and those other two RR guys whose names nobody remembers. If Indian cricket has to be saved, it might have to bleed some more. The BCCI won't even bother with a band-aid, it's up to the judiciary to conduct an open heart surgery. Look at it this way, Milord, you're saving a cricket fan's broken heart, thank you.
First posted here
A day in the life of Dhoni
Mahi's love for full cream milk is part of urban legend - some say four litres, others say it's no less than five, some days, even six. Still others claim Mahi is all about big shots and he only has either four or six litres - he will never have five because five signifies the ball hitting the helmet and his failing as a wicketkeeper. These days when he's home, he wakes up in the middle of the night when it's milk time for his daughter. "Like her dad, she loves milk, and if it's early morning I help myself to a glass of cold milk too, when she grows up a little I can see the two of us saying cheers with milk... yes, that's something I'm quite looking forward to but I suppose I will have to wait a bit for that," elaborates Dhoni as he often does. "I would also like to take her for a ride on my bike and yes, for once, drinking and driving is not really such a bad thing you see". Way back in 2008, Dhoni even joked with air force officers - "I used to have almost six litres of milk before. Now, I have reduced it to one litre everyday, thanks to the high prices."
Getting out of bed, Dhoni checks his WhatsApp messages - on top is the group "Kings" (refers to his CSK mates). First, a message from Raina: "Good morning MS!!! Good morning all! Hope you have a wonderful day today. Lets CZ da day. Pats on the back n u no where!" Next one from Jadeja: "hI R U UPS IM UPS OK" More messages from Raina and Jadeja. Dhoni quickly scrolls through, doesn't reply. Then a message from Virat: "f*cked up match in banga, u retired at the right time, chief". Dhoni replies: "LOL". There are other messages, joke forwards from RP Singh, some random cuss words from Yograj Singh, a long one on the powers of concentration and Buddhism from Murali Vijay, and one from Yuvi apologising for his dad's messages.
Breakfast: More milk. Porridge, lots of it. Almonds, raisins, fresh fruit juice, pickle with dal, bhat and tarkari. Talks to his dogs throughout. Has a conversation with his daughter, speaks for both of them. Throughout breakfast more messages from Raina and Jadeja. The TV is on, split screen, an action film in one part and the news in another. Dhoni continues to swap between the two.
Raina appears, he's finished working out, showered and ready to join his mate for breakfast, apologises for being late. Dhoni jokes: "I know, you were too busy sending WhatsApp messages." Raina cracks up and raises his hand for a high five, Dhoni doesn't reciprocate so he massages his skip on the back instead. Sakshi is attending to her daughter, Raina asks bhabi, if he can hold the baby so she can have breakfast instead. "Anyways I love to play with kids, you eat na?" RP Singh walks in, claims he was going past. RP asks Raina if he can attend to the baby so he can have his breakfast instead.
Dhoni sets out for his workout. Mostly badminton with Raina, followed by football with RP and a few kids and guards from the neighbourhood. After football, very briefly hits the gym at home, then more football. RP excuses himself, finally only MS and Raina are playing, penalty shots, short tackles, attackers and defenders. Tonnes of Gatorade throughout, protein powder, chicken sandwiches, a picnic.
SMS from Srini, often a joke between Dhoni and Raina is that "Boss" is still stuck in old ways; they refer to it as "Srini Mama Service"! "I have consulted my astrologer. I think you should fly to Bangladesh on Monday after the Test match. NS".
After taking the dogs and his mates for a walk, MS is set for an ad shoot. He has to ride his bike and mouth a few words. The shoot is done in 45 minutes and he's set for another quickie - this time, walking in uniform holding a lubricant for trucks. Dhoni thinks to himself, when did his ads get so boring? Earlier they used his character, now they just want to see him smile and push the brand. He tells Raina that brands don't know how to optimise their brand ambassadors. Raina politely disagrees and talks about his association with a sports brand; Dhoni tells him that they both are enemies when it comes to endorsing sports brands but when they play for India they both wear Nike. This leads to a long discussion on the commercialisation of sports. Raina is honest in his opinions and Dhoni listens intently. There is a deep regard between the two. Raina looks up to Dhoni like a big brother and Dhoni is always watching over him. Another SMS from Srini. A blank, possibly sent by mistake.
Lunch. Dhoni has his favourite dal and tarkari again, chicken curry, rotis, salad, curd. Some gaming after lunch with Raina and then another ad shoot, this time it involves Dhoni training. MS thinks to himself, how imaginative. Anyway it serves him well as it's also time to train. The adwallahs ask him to play the helicopter shot with a full flourish. The ad agency's creative director adds for emphasis, Phul Phlorish PHUL MAHI! After a few copter takes, they allow him to do his thing. It's yet another collage ad of Dhoni's hits.
Protein shake and nuts and one last ad shoot before dinner. This time for a Gurgaon real estate baron; involves a few stills, some solo, some with RP. This takes longer than any of the previous ads as there are costume changes. Dhoni in maroon kurta for the Diwali ad, Dhoni in a white one for the Holi ad, Dhoni in a suit, Dhoni in yellow, Dhoni in blue.
Once they pack up, they join Raina for dinner at home. Jadeja too has arrived as has Dhoni's favourite butter chicken. They sit round the table and talk Hindi movies. There's some leg-pulling of Bollywood actresses and their associations. Sakshi isn't within earshot but Dhoni doesn't comment, he smiles that smile again. And everything appears good with the world.
Then a message from Yograj Singh arrives. It appears he's been drinking again. Raina asks if his nephew can reply.
Is CSK too old to Rock 'n' Roll?
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) players' average age: 30.2 years. The Mumbai Indians (MI) players' average age: 28.3 years. The average age difference was barely two years but it seemed more like Daddy's Army vs Pappu's Paltan. And while Michael Hussey (nearly 40) was instrumental in getting CSK across the line in the eliminator against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), by the time he opened in only his fourth innings this season, doubt if there were any realistic expectations of him to go at over 10 runs per over. With Brendon McCullum back on national duty, CSK appeared to be AWOL. Unlike that impulsive Kings XI Punjab bunch that tends to dismantle rather quickly, CSK's chase was akin to a slow bleed - it was painful viewing, an innings lost in its sole mission to somehow drag the game to the 20th over.
No outrageously mistimed heaves floating between four fielders within the 30 yard circle, it was more about settling in, to suck the joy out of the contest, to rob us of the perverse pleasure of watching the mighty CSK explode. By the time Dhoni walked in at the fall of Dwayne Smith's wicket, it was clear, any chase would be led by an off-colour Suresh Raina, and to a lesser extent, by the new kid Pawan Negi. CSK didn't just seem old, it appeared bored, and far too rooted in the reality of an impossible chase.
Topping the table with this jaded bunch is even more incredible - it shows that CSK even when it's far from its best, pulls through as it has mastered the waiting game, which is pretty much Dhoni's calling in cricket. Add South Africa's T20 skipper, Faf du Plessis, old fox, Michael Hussey and jumping veteran, Dwayne Bravo, and you have hardened pros who can suck out the stress of a tricky chase. The chase on Sunday was far from tricky, it was all or nothing - yet CSK was hell-bent on playing it its way and lost without letting out a whimper.
Through the World Cup and this IPL, Dhoni has indulged Ravindra Jadeja. Even in jest the "Sir" doesn't rest easily on him anymore. He rarely bowled his full quota, batted lower than Negi and seemed inadequate when he came in. In spite of this, he made the ODI squad for Bangladesh, as the selectors did not want to tinker with the World Cup squad that made the semi finals. So what will Jadeja's role in Bangladesh be - a swift 12th man who'll fill in for a tired batsman?
Away from the immediacy of T20, in Bangladesh, Dhoni will look to slide back into his favoured format. His aura is intact, the CSK won a knockout in Ranchi, made the finals, it is still the most successful IPL team, but for how long? The power shift from Chennai has started in earnest.
For Mumbai Indians, it all started with a change at the top: Lendl Simmons for an injured Aaron Finch. Simmons' scores: 5, 59, 15, 51, 38, 71, 0, 38, 68* 14, 48, 65, 68. Add to that a starring role in the best bits this edition: the catching. Simmons was flying at point like an animated bunny on speed. Simmons was where the turnaround started in Bangalore on April 19: 59 (44), Simmons was where the job was finished in Kolkata on May 24: 68(45). It was his knocks on both occasions that allowed Rohit Sharma to go bonkers, with 42 (15) and 50 (26) and as we're often informed, "lead from the front".
In spite of all his runs and catches, Simmons tends to go unnoticed, there's none of that flash that comes with his West Indies' mates, Pollard, Bravo or Russell. He's almost quiet, nerdy in his approach, even when he hits them big. Mumbai Indians have done well to go with players like Simmons and Rayudu - one sets it up, the other closes it, almost incognito, while the opposition works away on Rohit and Pollard.
Not long ago, Dhoni farmed the strike in a stiff chase, preferring to trust himself than share the burden with Rayudu. Perhaps it's time for Dhoni to recalibrate some of his thinking on whom to trust and whom to relieve. Team India doesn't have to be a reflection of Team CSK. More than that, it can't afford to anymore.
First published here
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