Revenge of the south
A free ticket to watch your team? Doesn't get much better than that
Siddhesh V
01-Apr-2010
Local boy Vijay gave Chennai fans reason to cheer • Indian Premier League
The game
I got a free ticket for this game and went in hoping for a Chennai Super Kings revival. Thankfully I got what I wanted - a Chennai win that would be revenge for the defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the first leg.
I got a free ticket for this game and went in hoping for a Chennai Super Kings revival. Thankfully I got what I wanted - a Chennai win that would be revenge for the defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the first leg.
Key performer
M Vijay for his amazing knock. The 24-run over was nerve-wracking to watch because from where we were sitting every delivery looked like a wicket-taking ball.
M Vijay for his amazing knock. The 24-run over was nerve-wracking to watch because from where we were sitting every delivery looked like a wicket-taking ball.
One thing I'd have changed
The catch Manpreet Gony dropped off Robin Uthappa. The entire stand was on its feet thinking it would be first blood for Chennai. Instead we got a dropped catch, followed by a boundary off the next ball. Really disappointing.
The catch Manpreet Gony dropped off Robin Uthappa. The entire stand was on its feet thinking it would be first blood for Chennai. Instead we got a dropped catch, followed by a boundary off the next ball. Really disappointing.
Face-off I relished
I was looking forward to Kumble v Hayden. Unfortunately Hayden didn't last long.
I was looking forward to Kumble v Hayden. Unfortunately Hayden didn't last long.
Wow moment
Vijay's second six in that mammoth 24-run over was spectacular. We turned to see the ball deposited in the adjacent stand.
Vijay's second six in that mammoth 24-run over was spectacular. We turned to see the ball deposited in the adjacent stand.
Player watch
Vijay and Gony fielded near us and we called out to them. Vijay often waved at us and responded. During the second innings we cheered for Pietersen but sadly didn't get much of a response out of him.
Vijay and Gony fielded near us and we called out to them. Vijay often waved at us and responded. During the second innings we cheered for Pietersen but sadly didn't get much of a response out of him.
Shot of the day
Suresh Raina's expansive hit over cover for six off the fifth ball of the 19th over came at a time when things were looking pretty bad for Chennai. That one shot settled the match.
Suresh Raina's expansive hit over cover for six off the fifth ball of the 19th over came at a time when things were looking pretty bad for Chennai. That one shot settled the match.
Crowd meter
KP hit a mammoth six that landed a few rows below us - the only one that landed in our stand. Two of Vijay's sixes landed in the stands on either side of us. From where I was sitting, the ground was a sea of yellow. After the initial enthusiasm, though, I tired of taking part in endless Mexican waves that were going around faster than the ball was flying around the park.
KP hit a mammoth six that landed a few rows below us - the only one that landed in our stand. Two of Vijay's sixes landed in the stands on either side of us. From where I was sitting, the ground was a sea of yellow. After the initial enthusiasm, though, I tired of taking part in endless Mexican waves that were going around faster than the ball was flying around the park.
Hardship factor
The canteen was packed during the innings break, which meant a mad grab for whatever you managed to get your hands on. It would have helped if the food counters were better managed.
The canteen was packed during the innings break, which meant a mad grab for whatever you managed to get your hands on. It would have helped if the food counters were better managed.
Entertainment
When Sivamani is around, entertainment is never far away. The PA system was belting out the Chennai theme song and there was plenty of dancing.
When Sivamani is around, entertainment is never far away. The PA system was belting out the Chennai theme song and there was plenty of dancing.
Twenty20 v ODIs
Twenty20 is pure entertainment. ODIs, on the other hand, are good value for money.
Twenty20 is pure entertainment. ODIs, on the other hand, are good value for money.
TV or stadium?
Stadiums are always a lot of fun. Twenty20 is best watched in a stadium. The television gives you experts' analysis and other technical details but you don't need that in a Twenty20.
Stadiums are always a lot of fun. Twenty20 is best watched in a stadium. The television gives you experts' analysis and other technical details but you don't need that in a Twenty20.
Marks out of 10
8. The atmosphere was very lively throughout. The cheering went on for a while after the winning runs. It was not the perfect game for Chennai, but what matters is the win was achieved over one of the table leaders, and that is always memorable.
8. The atmosphere was very lively throughout. The cheering went on for a while after the winning runs. It was not the perfect game for Chennai, but what matters is the win was achieved over one of the table leaders, and that is always memorable.
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Siddhesh V is in his final year of Engineering (Computer Science) in Chennai. He loves all forms of cricket and his favourite player is Sachin Tendulkar. He loves to read fiction and watches lots of movies. He is passionate about programming and hopes to one day contribute something significant to the IT industry.