Warne vs Dhoni.

IPL season 1 and 2 gave us the chance of watching two of the best captains of our Era. Season 1 Final saw both of them in action and Warne's just put it past of the last ball over Dhoni's Super Kings and won the finals. Even in the couple of games they met at League stages saw Warne ruling over Dhoni. Warne led a relatively moderate team to a remarkable win. But Dhoni and his team were not far behind. Dhoni also had to deal with a fairly moderate squad, which lost form midway through. Furthermore Dhoni was just one year old as a captain. IPL 2 again gave us the opportunity two watch these two charismatic gentle men locking horns again.

CSK started their tournament in a bumpy way. They were beaten by Mumbai Indians, Delhi Dare Devils and Deccan Chargers; They beat Bengalore Royal Challengers; They had a game against Kolkatta Knight Riders Washed out. So after 5 games, they were languishing at the bottom Just above Kolkatta Knight Riders. Rajastan's start was even more disastrous. They were bowled out for 58 against Bangalore Royal Challengers. They had only a win over KKR and their game against MI was also washed out. Then they met for the first time. Hayden was in great form for CSK, tearing into all seam attacks. Warne opened with Yusuf Pathan's off-spin and got Hayden out for 1. Suresh Raina's magnificient 98 and some impressive bowling meant CSK beat Royals for the first time in 4 meetings, by 38 runs. Not much of a tactical war there. Dissappointed? Dhoni and Warne were back to business for the second league meeting with their respective teams and they both now had 11 points in 9 games. Dhoni's team beat tournament favorites Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils where Dhoni was at his best, both as a player and captain. While Royals also beat Delhi Daredevils through Yusuf Pathan's brute power and they kicked Kings XI Punjab by 78 runs, achieving IPL-2's first 200+ score. And on May 09, 2009 they met again. And we saw a classic battle of two outstanding leaders.

The battle started off-field. Warne won the toss and chose to bat. And he had a go at Dhoni and CSK saying they were not the best chasers. Dhoni retorted, saying given his strong batting line-up, the Rajasthan batsmen would be under immense pressure to set a defendable total. And they exchanged blow after blow. Dhoni was impeccabel with his bowling changes and field placings. Warne came up with a 11 ball 21 that took Rajastan Royals to 140/7 in 20 overs. Moderate. Isn't it?? With Hayden, Raina and Dhoni in great form, it's a cake walk for CSK. Isn't it? No way, Warne came up with Ideas. After 8 overs CSK were 49/2. Murali Vijay and Raina back in the hut. Hayden was given only 14 balls to face. Warne bowled a great over where Badrinath hardly put Bat to Ball. In the ninth over Warne bowled to Hayden for the first time, throwing the first ball wide, which was called wide despite big turn. The next one was flighted wide again, and Hayden decided to reverse-sweep late but perfectly. He then walked down to Warne, as if the keeper was standing back, and got to the pitch and hit him flat over long-on. That over may have got Chennai only 12 runs, but the statement that Hayden made was huge. But Warne was not the one to back off. He kept rotating his bowlers and with Badrinath struggling CSK needed 44 in 5 overs. But there was the Dhoni effect. Dhoni had kept faith in Badri and even had promoted him above himself in such a tricky chase. Like his captain Badri stayed calm and hit Shane Harwood for 20 runs in the 16th over. Runrate came to managable proportions. Warne again didn't back-off. He had Hayden brilliantly stumped down the legside. But, Badri saw CSK home with 10 balls to spare.

This game may seem like a one sided game. But it was a brilliant battle between two charismatic leaders. Warne never captained his country but he has played top level cricket for 16 years. Dhoni didn't even cement his place in the team when he was made captain. But, man he has come off age. Experience wise, Dhoni is a child compared to Warne. But, his tactics as effective as Warne. As it turned out, Dhoni has a better team in this IPL than Warne's. But still it takes some cool head to counter Warne's tactical brilliance. Both are charismatic and have their own ways of leading the side on the field. Warne is like a colonel in action while Dhoni is the macho man. Both have one common aspect. They have strong believe in their ability as well as their teams' ability. On the night Dhoni may have been leading the better side, but as far as the battle of captains goes, Warne and Dhoni are locked. May be in 5 years time, with experience at international level, Dhoni may have his nose ahead of Warne. But for the moment Dhoni = Warne