IPL 2018 | Sunil Gavaskar feels sad for Chennai fans for being deprived of home games
Sunil Gavaskar feels sad for CSK fans, who had the opportunity of watching their team play after two years, but were deprived of it again. CSKās breath-taking win in their first home match, certainly had the hopes of their fans high but were left devastated with shifting of their home ground.
Playing CSK on their home ground in Chepauk can be nerve-wrecking for other teams, given their large fan following and the devotion their fans have towards the team. Chennai crowd has always played the part of 12th man for them.Ā Gavaskar felt sad for the Chennai fans and pointed out that CSK came into this IPL after 2 years of
āThe Chennai Super Kings play their first match at their new 'home ground' at Pune. What a sad situation for the gentle cricket lovers of Chennai. They had been deprived of watching their favourite team for two years and then their appetite was whetted when the Chennai Super Kings returned to the Chidambaram stadium and won their first encounter,ā former Indian captain wrote in his columnĀ for TOI.Ā
Gavaskar insisted that India has a problem of pulling down its best and felt that the high authorities could have done much better in handling the case. He criticized the people who wanted IPL out of Chennai and was saddened for the Chennai fans who will miss out on all the action.Ā
āUnfortunately we in India are masters at pulling down our best, be it individual champions or competitions and the IPL which is rated among the top five leagues in the world becomes a favourite target for those with agendas which have nothing to do with sport. Even more sadly the law and order machinery does nothing but succumb to such wanton pressures and so the lovely people of Chennai, the best and knowledgeable cricket lovers in my experience will have to be satisfied watching their heroes on television. It will be interesting to see if taking the IPL away from Chennai works for those who wanted it that way and even more so if any new movies or wedding or any other celebrations will be allowed or stopped for their cause,ā said Gavaskar.Ā
He, however, showed confidence in the Chennai Super Kings team and believed that their determination to win the trophy has no bounds, led by Dhoni from the front.Ā Ā
āWhat won't be stopped is the Chennai team's determination to win the trophy again. That was epitomised by their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni playing rousing innings despite a severe back injury. Chennai will be hoping that the intervening days since that injury will have worked in his favour and he will take the field and lead them against a team that has played some superb cricket but also some ordinary stuff,ā he said.
Rajasthan Royals have someĀ match-winning players in the form of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. Their captain Ajinkya Rahane has contributed some valuable 30s, 40s to the teamās total this season and then they have their young star Sanju Samson, who doesnāt seem to do anything wrong. He has batted brilliantly and has scored 185 runs in just 4 matches.
āIn any team, there are a couple of players who have the special ability to make an impact and Rajasthan have in Ben Stokes a player who can change the game with bat and ball and take some superhuman catches too. He is such a riveting player to watch and is sheer 'box office'. Jos Buttler is not too far behind though the slower bowlers and the slower pitches haven't quite suited him as yet. Then there is Sanju Samson. When a player who can hit the ball 360 degrees like AB de Villiers reckons that there is no limit to Samson's talent that is the ultimate compliment. Samson will have to be consistent across all formats for him to join AB de Villiers as one of the all-time greats in the game and his swashbuckling but technically correct knock in front of the Indian skipper has done his chances of getting the India cap no harm at all,ā Gavaskar wrote.
He further had his doubts about the Puneās pitch, as they didnāt get enough time to prepare the pitch. āPune's pitch is generally good for batting as the ball comes nicely on to the bat but the question is did they get enough time to prepare the pitch,ā he added.Ā
