Lion, Doesn't Make It Twice: Fight-Back Story of the CSK vs PBKS

 The uniqueness in having a champion with their back to the wall is somehow fascinating.

Not a mediocre team on a bad day. No franchise of history or anticipation. And a 5 times champion - a team of no fuss, no frills, and always having something unproven by a few donors, but a team that wins - all at once appears vulnerable, hurt, and in need of answers after only a single game.

And that is exactly where Chennai Super Kings are to find themselves presently.

And honestly? That would only end up making them even more dangerous.

The Allegations of Missing Warriors

Two important players of the CSK team are still absent during this evening's game, one has a calf injury, and the other a side strain that has not allowed him to fit in the playing field. That lack of those match-winners is not merely a matter of tactics. It is a psychological burden to a batting line-up that was already low on experience to start with.

Their explosive middle-order batter is put to the side lines by an injury, which puts an extra burden on the members of the other batters to furthermore rise up to the occasion and join together with the power-hitting all-rounder during the middle overs. Younger players who have not yet come out to play under the pressure situations of IPL will have to showcase themselves on the largest platform at night.

That is an ambitious demand. But sport has always been of those who are ready to take risk with Diamond Exchange 99.

Chepauk - In CSK Rebirth

And this is the place on earth that this Chennai group can possibly re-discover its soul. The MA Chidambaram Stadium is not only a home but a name. The yellow stand, the crowd almost deafens the audience, the recognizable pitch, its slow, clinging surface, all about Chepauk is framed by a CSK story of a resurgence.

CSK will be keen to prevail at home to rebound in the tournament as they were soundly beaten at the start of the season. The mob will drag them through hard times. They have a perfect bowling attack with the wicket with its natural aid in spinning. And nothing can be a bigger stimulus in sport than to turn the scolders of your own Diamondexch Id.

Punjab Kings — Respect, No Fear

Punjab Kings are slight favourites to arrive in Chennai with better starting season performances, well-balanced team and good momentum in the recent times against the Super Kings. They are a very coached tightly-organized team that has evidently learned their lesson in their near-miss last year.

Punjab first brought a new match-winning add-on at position three and he anchored a tense pursuit in their debut game and their lead spinner will be back as a more fit and sharper bowler who proved his capability against Gujarat Titans by putting on an exemplary varied performance with middle overs. 

Pay respect where due. Punjab are a genuinely good team. Yet great teams fall victim to good atmospheres on a regular basis, and Chepauk at full blast is one of the most daunting playing grounds to any visiting team in cricket.

The Bigger Picture

Since this is the first tournament of its kind, either of the teams will want to have some momentum going forward, this win can give the team the momentum of the remaining season. In the case of CSK, falling to 02 this soon would cause unnecessary strain in a long, tedious campaign. Winning this game does not mean they earn two points, but it gives them belief, shape, and storyline beats.

Champions do not compare themselves with their performance in times when things are going well. They put their own lives into perspective in response when the whole thing falls.

Tonight CSK received their retaliation

The yellow army is on readiness. The stadium comes to life. The wounded lions come back home.

Punjab Kings might take advantage of the recent form and win propensities -but in Chepauk, with that floodlights, 52,000 fans, full throttle, the Super Kings will promptly remind everyone, why they have been the most successful franchise in IPL history.

Neighbours do not discount them. Not here. Not tonight. Only on Diamond Exchange 9.