Chennai
Defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played just one game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium last year. The Lions were forced to shift their base to Pune last season owing to the political climate in Tamil Nadu, in the wake of the Cauvery River water dispute.
CSK is back at the ‘Den’ this time around where it holds a formidable record, having won 70 per cent of its matches. “Chennai has been traditionally spin-friendly, and spinners have always done well,” said Harbhajan on Monday. “Having bowled for 10 seasons for Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, where it is tough for spinners, I’m looking forward to bowling in helpful conditions,” he added.
Harbhajan’s best Test match came at this very venue in 2001, when he bowled India to a sensational series win over Australia, with a career-best match haul of 15 for 217. “I’ve got some great memories here. This is one of my favourite grounds. Looking forward to playing here, the atmosphere is terrific. For Sunday’s practice game, 12,000 spectators turned up. I have never seen such kind of support anywhere,” he stated.
CSK hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 12 opener at the MAC Stadium on March 23. Harbhajan took seven wickets in 13 games in the previous edition, his first season with the Chennai-based franchise. CSK won a third crown in its seventh appearance in the final last season, levelling Mumbai Indians for most titles in the competition.
CSK also extended its record of qualifying to the play-offs to all nine seasons that it has participated in. “Last year’s journey was incredible,” he said. “We had to move to Pune but the mood in the team was positive. We won a few very, very tight games. When you win matches like those, it lifts the morale of the team, instils a lot of self-belief,” he continued.
CSK retained 23 members from the victorious 2018 squad, the most by any franchise, including the full quota of eight overseas players. “CSK has always retained a group and the continuity has played a major factor in the team’s success, apart from the fact that it has always had some incredible players,” he stated.
About pressure of expectations, he said, “It is always going to be there for a team like CSK, given its record. We played fearless cricket last season and the experience of the seniors, skill-wise, made a big difference. It’s a calm and composed team and if we play the same brand of cricket, I’m sure we will do well. The team has got enough match winners,”he concluded.
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