(Cricket news) The legacy of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League is unmatched. The two sides have consistently built juggernauts at the back of unmatched talent and by building trust and continuity. Chris Gayle, Suresh Raina, Scott Styris, Parthiv Patel, Robin Uthappa and Anil Kumble dissected what works for the two most successful IPL teams on Success Mantra, a new episode of ‘Legends Lounge’, a JioCinema original.
Four of the six experts were part of CSK at different points, and all stated that the Chennai franchise worked like one big family. Gayle, who never represented CSK or MI, too, agreed. “Those teams look like a family, especially Chennai. They embrace each and everyone and stick to one core for a long time,” explained the West Indian.
Traded to CSK in 2021, the Karnataka batter felt continuity, communication and inclusiveness across the franchise stood out for him the most. “The sense of security and inclusiveness that the players who aren’t in the playing XI had made it a great atmosphere,” explained Uthappa, who had to wait for a while before donning the Yellow. “At no point, I felt left out. It is not easy to sit out for 12 games, especially after you have played 195 matches already.”
Uthappa, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders with great distinction, cited Gautam Gambhir’s backing of Yusuf Pathan as a classic case of continuity and trust. “In 2014, Yusuf didn’t do well in the group stage. In the knockout match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, we had to chase 150+ (161) in 15 odd overs to qualify, and he took us to 70 odd with a fifty in 15 balls. CSK persisted with (Shane) Watson in 2018; he won them the finals,” Uthappa recalled.
He recalled how the team management came up to him every 4-5 days and had an open dialogue on how close or how far he was from making it to the XI. Kumble, who came on board as a mentor with Mumbai Indians in 2013, creating a bond, a family was a big part of their franchise’s vision, and the owners bought into it. “Once you get success, it breeds more success. Lifting the first trophy set the winning culture in the team.
Uthappa said CSK treated every member of the players’ families as part of the team. “When we travelled with kids, nannies were there who were made to feel like they were part of the group. When we won in 2021, the nannies were part of the team picture,” Uthappa said.
“They give a lot of bonuses, too,” Raina chuckled in between. “You always feel like doing something special for them; you felt like a pampered kid.”
Styris recalled an incident when Albie Morkel was part of the CSK setup. “His father had never been to India, so CSK flew him business, not in the contract; they didn’t have to do it,” the Kiwi all-rounder said.
Patel felt what worked in CSK’s favour was their experience of running a cricket team. “The owners were running the India Cements team for over 30 years, and they never went overboard in success or failure,” Patel said
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