Match 1, IPL5, Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings, Chennai, 4th April 2012
Regulation play to start with
Well, it was a regulation flow of play in the first match, between two heavyweights of IPL. Chennai were made to bat first and promptly good, occasional shots were essayed by Vijay and Raina but equally they engineered their own dismissals when they ‘looked good.’ Or is that just our perception because we’re an audience that loves to believe that well begun is half done? Anyway, Du Plessis seemed to be unlucky to be run out first up. What generated some interest was that the Chennai pitch seemed to be better ‘binded’ because of grass on it and the ball initially seemed to be coming onto the bat. This was the track considered dubious for Twenty20 because of the famously bad disadvantage it had offered the side batting second where the ball just didn’t come on.
Pitch
Well, anyway, in about the 13th over, the commentators were back to the old refrain that the pitch did not seem to be offering any pace for the batsmen. Vijay and Raina were out caught in the inner circle and near the boundary respectively. The pitch certainly gave further clues of playing that way when Albie Morkel’s hip glance didn’t carry enough over deep square leg’s head; he’s usually a man who carts them over the boundary when the ball pitches in his zone. Then, Dhoni was run out inspite of the incredible power he commands and ground he covers fast even during running; even in the slow motion replay, the burly CSK captain seems to be running at close to a regular pace! The Mumbai Indians were doing everything right. Chennai folded up for 112.
Mumbai made pitch look ‘good’ for batting
Conversely, when MI batted, it was surprising how they were able to take advantage of a seemingly or close-to true pitch by reaching a score of 63 for no loss off about 6 overs. Well, those first few overs never give a true indication of how the pitch is playing; being new, the hard ball comes on slightly faster onto the bat and enables shot making. But if we review their shots throughout their innings, maybe they simply more judicious in selection? From a vantage point and chasing a finite score, that too not a tall one, it’s possible that their batters ‘had a lot of time’ to pick and choose. In any case, the fielding captain Dhoni was bound to have more fielders inside and therefore the Mumbai batters probably experienced the ‘license to hit,’ not to mention the safety net of the lofted ball falling far away from the fielders when it cleared their heads but didn’t clear the ropes.
The prodigy
Richard Levi showed why he’s a force to reckon with, coming in with a reputation of a record-breaking 45-ball century in international cricket. He’s strongly built and has quick hands, therefore appearing to fast-jab at the ball. No doubt, he is strong on the on-side therefore it’s the fielders from square leg to long on that will be kept most busy.
Mumbai smarting to win championship
Notable is that Levi too is human and young and fell for the temptation of a consecutive boundary. He looked disappointed after getting out and the Indians will hope he learns early from this experience. Finally Mumbai reached their target with a 'truckload' of 19 balls and 8 wickets to spare. They will be a team to watch out for this IPL. Not only because the handing over of captaincy by Sachin to Harbhajan is talismanic, but this side is itching to win the championship after so many near misses.
By Vikram Afzulpurkar
Strengthened by new signings Richard Levi and Dinesh Karthik, Mumbai Indians flatten Chennai Super Kings. Any victory by a team batting second at Chepauk deserves a close look especially a convincing one.Regulation play to start with
Well, it was a regulation flow of play in the first match, between two heavyweights of IPL. Chennai were made to bat first and promptly good, occasional shots were essayed by Vijay and Raina but equally they engineered their own dismissals when they ‘looked good.’ Or is that just our perception because we’re an audience that loves to believe that well begun is half done? Anyway, Du Plessis seemed to be unlucky to be run out first up. What generated some interest was that the Chennai pitch seemed to be better ‘binded’ because of grass on it and the ball initially seemed to be coming onto the bat. This was the track considered dubious for Twenty20 because of the famously bad disadvantage it had offered the side batting second where the ball just didn’t come on.
Pitch
 |
| Better pitch? |
Mumbai made pitch look ‘good’ for batting
Conversely, when MI batted, it was surprising how they were able to take advantage of a seemingly or close-to true pitch by reaching a score of 63 for no loss off about 6 overs. Well, those first few overs never give a true indication of how the pitch is playing; being new, the hard ball comes on slightly faster onto the bat and enables shot making. But if we review their shots throughout their innings, maybe they simply more judicious in selection? From a vantage point and chasing a finite score, that too not a tall one, it’s possible that their batters ‘had a lot of time’ to pick and choose. In any case, the fielding captain Dhoni was bound to have more fielders inside and therefore the Mumbai batters probably experienced the ‘license to hit,’ not to mention the safety net of the lofted ball falling far away from the fielders when it cleared their heads but didn’t clear the ropes.
The prodigy
 |
| Levi: Daring early |
Mumbai smarting to win championship
Notable is that Levi too is human and young and fell for the temptation of a consecutive boundary. He looked disappointed after getting out and the Indians will hope he learns early from this experience. Finally Mumbai reached their target with a 'truckload' of 19 balls and 8 wickets to spare. They will be a team to watch out for this IPL. Not only because the handing over of captaincy by Sachin to Harbhajan is talismanic, but this side is itching to win the championship after so many near misses.
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