Dubai: Chennai Super Kings may feel sorry for the “disappointed” fans for not playing at home, but they are confident that away conditions will not affect the team’s chances ahead of the play-offs in the Indian Premier League VII.
The five-time finalists had their matches moved to Ranchi and the play-offs shifted to Mumbai after the state association failed to get the necessary permission from the municipal authorities for hosting the matches over “illegal constructions and structural fitness of the stands” at the M A Chidambaram Stadium.
Kasi Viswanathan, a senior official of the Super Kings and the secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association said on the eve of the eliminator against Mumbai Indians: “Not playing at home is not a disadvantage. We have played at the CCI [Brabourne Stadium] in Mumbai before so we know the conditions well.”
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team had a great start to the season after winning eight of their first 10 clashes but stumbled in their next three games. Finally, Chennai arrested the slide against Bangalore in their last league encounter to book a place in the play-off.
These losses have come at a price as Super Kings were pipped to the second spot by Kolkata Knight Riders on better run-rate. As per the format, the top two teams at the end of the league stage get a second chance to make amends even if they lose their first qualifier while just one loss for the third and fourth-placed teams in the Eliminator could spell doom for them.
Viswanathan, however, feels it is not a problem as one has to keep winning against the top teams to be champions.
“We are in the play-offs for the seventh year and we have the experience,” he said. “If you are a champion side, one has to play well against all opponents. It is a big test for the team on how good they are.”
Chennai will rely heavily on the start provided by the in-form West Indian opener Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum, who missed the match to be with his wife for the birth of their third child in New Zealand but is expected to be back to continue their successful partnership.
They will go into the clash with a psychological advantage after having beaten defending champions Mumbai on both occasions this year. The play-offs, however, are a different ball game and Mumbai will be high on morale, especially after sneaking past Rajasthan Royals on run-rate after chasing down an improbable target.
In hindsight, moving the play-offs away from Chennai to the western coast of Mumbai could be considered a blessing in disguise as unseasonal rains in the eastern coast are threatening to ruin the first Qualifier between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata after Tuesday’s match was postponed and rescheduled for Wednesday.
