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CSK, a team that inspires loyalty

Raakesh Natraj

Chennai: The holiday crowd filtering into the M.A. Chidambaram stadium before the Men in Yellow take on the Deccan Chargers in Sunday's late fixture is a fairly pampered lot. Attempting to provide persuasive empirical proof as regards something as fickle as the fan's faith is difficult, if not impossible, but Chennai has the numbers to demand such adoration and sometimes even smugness.

Super Kings is, of course, defending its title, and one will have to go back more than a year (March 21, 2010) to recall the team's last defeat at home.

“It is not just that CSK is the most successful IPL side so far or that it has had a great run here at Chepauk. The side is pretty competitive and even the match against Kings XI that it lost, it went to the super over. So it is always exciting.

“Even if Deccan manages to win today, Chennai can be proud of its record and for having entertained the fans,” said Anand Balasubramanian, 29, as he jostled his way into the stadium.

Despite Anand's focus on the entertainment co-efficient, Chennai has been one of the most consistent outfits across seasons, making it to the final and the semifinals in the two editions that it did not claim the trophy.

Teams like Rajasthan and Deccan are former champions, but have finished in the nether half of the table far to often signify substantial progress from season to season.

Rare distinction

Chennai sits on 26 IPL wins (before the match against DC), the most by any team (level with Rajasthan, after its win earlier in the day) across four seasons and shares the distinction of winning the most matches (10) at a single venue with Mumbai Indians.

“Making a habit of winning at home is such a key thing. It keeps the crowd coming, and secondly, it can be such a boost for the players, knowing that they have a great record here. On so many occasions, the team has come back from the dead, defended small totals and it makes for great viewing,” said V. Kalyani, 24, a consultant with a software firm in the city.

“I know Chennai has won the league and the Champions trophy, but it is also great that they are such a well behaved side. Dhoni is always calm and doesn't let things go out of hand.

“The cameras are always on the move and I can't recall a single instance of a Chennai player misbehaving or throwing a tantrum,” said N. Janarthanan, a businessman.

Chennai, incidentally, is a two-time winner of IPL's Fair Play award — a system that lets the on-field umpires rate teams on parameters like adherence to the spirit of the game, respect for the opposition, respect for the laws of the game and respect for the match officials — in 2008 and 2010.

The fans' contingent also includes a fair few that are willing to excuse the team its defeats.

“A win today will take it near the top of the table, but I wouldn't grudge it a loss or two. This is after all a 20-over match and anything can happen.

“The fact that so many of the local boys are a part of the team is very heartening. (Subramaniam) Badrinath, (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Murali) Vijay, Anirudha Srikkanth and even Abhinav Mukund all enjoy great support here and it's nice to see that the players you supported for three years do not suddenly turn up wearing the opposition's colours,” concluded Janarthanan.

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