It wasn't a surprise for many as the Chennai Super Kings lifted the IPL trophy, 2010 by beating Mumbai Indians comfortably. Form pointed to Chennai as the team was peaking at the right time. For Mumbai Indians,it was a case of so near,yet so far. It was not the first time that a team which did exceptionally well in the league stages losing the plot in the final-like Delhi last year.Mumbai was the most consistent side in the tournament. But,many have forgotten that in all its three matches against Chennai including the final,they have lost the games.
It was a typical show by Chennai. They were wobbling at 57/1 in 10 overs,then picked up momentum and scored over 100 runs in 10 overs. It was visible on the face of Sachin Tendulkar even during the first innings that it was going to be difficult for his team.Zaheer Khan dropped a sitter to give a reprieve to Suresh Raina and became the main culprit for the defeat. Raina,being a class act gave a big fillip to the scoring rate and compiled a well earned half century.
To me, the bowler of the tournament was Ravichandran Ashwin. I don't remember the last occasion where a spinner took total control over the situation in all the matches he played. It was stunning to watch as he could stop even the best of batsmen in world cricket. His combination with Doug Bollinger was lethal as the pair was largely responsible for the turnaround of Chennai. Kieron Pollard gave Chennai quite a scare by scoring 22 runs off Doug Bollinger who until then had bowled a superb spell. It was a little too late for Mumbai as the batsman was strangely sent as no.8. Alby Morkel bowled a superb 19th over to get rid of the dangerous Pollard and Chennai started celebrating.
It was a sweet victory for Chennai as they are the only team to reach the finals on two occasions and reached the semis in all the three editions of IPL. It was good to see my team winning.
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