By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu
The Champions League Twenty20 2010 in South Africa certainly had a different feel to it. Just ask Mahendra Singh Dhoni who could not get past the feeling that all the hard work will be required all over again when the IPL 4 player auctions come around.
The Chennai Super Kings raised a pertinent emotion that is plaguing some teams more than others. What is very apparent is that two teams in particular have shared such a strong bonhomie and sense of loyalty that nobody wants to part with the team, apart from the financial incentive as well as the fact that they believe they are part of a group that is going places and destined for greater heights, although some would question – what next after IPL and Champions League Twenty20 success.
Dhoni spoke out about how his team had a sense of purpose about their road to the CL T20 trophy and that included the fact that this was the first time in three years that the team had a really feeling of a finish rather than a flourish. That is because a majority of the cricketers, if not all, will be thrust back into the uncertainty of the IPL by way of the IPL 4 player auctions that are now not far off. In that sense, there was an unusually high level of sentiment within the team, with good reason.
Dhoni made the point that the team was put together after some serious thought and consideration and the player auctions would now undo everything that the Chennai franchisee have worked towards. The team has seen the lows of losing out in the final of the inaugural IPL season to touching the pinnacle by winning both, the IPL 3 and now the Champions League Twenty20.
The Chennai and Mumbai Indians franchisees have been the standouts from the rest of the IPL franchisees that have demanded that all players been thrown together into the pool once more, particularly with the addition of two new teams , Pune and Kochi, in the IPL 4 schedule. While to an extent, it may have been motivated by the fact that their teams have performed below par, but also, because it gives the franchisees another opportunity to bid for players, even more smartly this time, in the case of those they lost.
But Chennai and Mumbai have two of India’s hottest properties in the game - Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar respectively. In that sense, both teams are aware of the versatility of the two captains as well as their own individual bullish reputations that account for a large percentage of the teams.
The only question here would be whether they are willing to retain more than one cricketer at the exorbitant prices that the IPL governing council has suggested for the retention of a maximum of four players. While there is little doubt that the two franchisees will want to keep the two Indian cricketers, who else will be listed as indispensable will be the question. But that not all, or at least a majority of these, can be retained, is what has had the two teams and their respective captains showed some despondency about.
The Champions League Twenty20 2010 victory then has been bitter sweet for the Chennai Super Kings.
©Sreelata S. Yellamrazu for ©www.mindspacecricket.com
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