NEWS

Preview of Edelweiss 20s Challenge (Semi-Final 1) Chennai Superstars v Hyderabad Heroes

The first semi-final at the competitive Edelweiss 20s Challenge features two of the top domestic Indian teams, defending champions Chennai Superstars & the most improved side of the tournament, Hyderabad Heroes. Analyzed by most pundits as the match of the tournament both teams started their campaign on shaky note & gradually raised their performance level to be proclaimed as the favorites to take top honors at the Edelweiss 20s Challenge.

Chennai Superstars: Facing elimination after two defeats in their first two matches, the Superstars showed their mettle, when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a close encounter against the Kolkata Tigers. Probably, the most cohesive unit in the ICL, the defending champions have been delivering consistent performances helped by the right combination of domestic & international stalwarts. In a tournament which has seen the domestic players stand out with match wining performances, the list of domestic players in that illustrious group would no doubt be dominated with the boys from Chennai.

Hyderabad Heroes: The most improved side at the Edelweiss 20s Challenge, the Heroes will be making this maiden semi-final appearance on their home turf. The Heroes have taken full advantage of the vociferous home fans who have been packing the LBS stadium Hyderabad, backing their home side. Like the Chennai Superstars, the success of the Heroes lies in the fact that their domestic players have gelled brilliantly with their international stalwarts, to produce some of the best cricket at the Edelweiss 20s Challenge.

Analytical Stats:

Top totals posted:

Team	Total	Overs	Innings
Chandigarh Lions	195/8	20 overs	1st
Chennai Superstars	191/8	20 overs	2nd
Lahore Badshahs	187/6	20 overs	1st
Chennai Superstars	187/6	19.4 overs	1st
Lahore Badshahs	187/5	20 overs	1st

The important point that comes out of the above analysis is the formidable batting line up in possession of the Superstars. The fact that they figure in 2 of the top 5 scores posted by all the sides in the league stage, displays their batting power. What makes their bating performance all the more significant, is the fact that both their top scores have come batting second under pressure chasing huge totals.

Leading Run scorers:

Player	Team	Innings	Runs	Avg
Lance Klusener	Kolkata Tigers	7	220	44
Raviraj Patil	Mumbai Champs	7	212	35.33
Hasan Raza	Lahore Badshahs	7	210	52.5
Ian Harvey	Chennai Superstars	7	206	34.33
Russel Arnold	Chennai Superstars	6	200	40

The leading scorers table again reiterates the fact that with the exception of the Lahore Badshahs, the Chennai Superstars possess the best batting line up of the tournament. Harvey & Arnold form the fulcrum of the imposing Superstars bating machinery around which players like Vignesh, Badani & Sathish revolve.

Leading Wicket Takers at the Edelweiss 20s Challenge:

Player	Teams	Matches	Wickets
Thiru Kumaran	Chennai Superstars	7	14
Azhar Mahmood	Lahore Badshahs	7	12
Abdul Razzaq	Hyderabad heroes	7	12
Alfred Absolem	Hyderabad Heroes	4	11
Andrew Hall	Chandigarh Lions	6	10

The above statistics shows that with 2 Heroes' bowlers (Razzaq & Absolem) in the top 5 leading wicket takers list, the decisive factor in the highly anticipated 1st semi final might be the contest between the Superstars' batsmen & the Heroes' Bowlers.

Head on battle (1st semi final Hyderabad Heroes vs. Chennai Superstars)

Strengths of the Chennai Superstars leading to the semi final:

1. Defending champions, experience of the big match situation
2. Best batting line up to the Edelweiss 20s Challenge
3. Most cohesive unit under the able guidance of the best one day international player of his time Michel Bevan

Strengths of the Hyderabad Heroes leading to the semi final:

1. Have beaten the Chennai Superstars in their previous encounter at the league stage of the Edelweiss 20s Challenge
2. Have the enviable record of not having lost a single match on home turf backed by a vociferous home fan base
3. Possess two of the top 5 leading wicket takers at the Edelweiss 20s Challenge