Of perfection and perfect combination

Chennai Super Kings have not tinkered much with their squad. The XI that played in their first two matches this season is the same set of players that were in the squad last year too.

They have the highest success percentage among all teams in IPL (61.62 per cent) and 71 wins in 117 matches. The second best is Mumbai Indians, whose winning per cent is 55.75, with 63 victories in 113 matches.

The team, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is seeking perfection. Their coach, Stephen Fleming, who has been associated with the team right from the start of IPL, said on Thursday, "We are always trying to get better. We haven't won (the title) for three years now. We have come very close but we have to earn the right to get there. What we are trying to do is climb slowly step by step to get to that position again. You have to play very well over a long period of time to get there. We are trying to earn the right to have a shot at another final. And that's what every team is looking to do but it's little steps getting across the line.

"It's the first game that's very important. We were metres away from losing (won against Delhi Daredevils by one run) and that's not lost on us. The fact is that we are just going to keep grinding results out. If we play well and if you have (Brendon) McCullum getting a hundred and Dhoni a 60, chances are that we will win the game. But that doesn't happen all the time. We are trying to recreate that feeling and this game might be someone else's.

"It could be (Suresh) Raina's game, the next one could be (Dwayne) Smith's, or someone else's which keeps boosting you. That's what we pride ourselves on. We could have an absolute disaster but we are taking it in our stride. It's just we try and earn the right to play the finals."

The former New Zealand captain is pleased with the way his players rise to the occasion. "To have different players stand up on different games is a very important component of any game. T20 is a game of hits and misses. In T20, form can be pretty fickle. So we like to give players more time to relax and play their natural game."

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are still searching for the winning combination. Rohit Sharma, the captain, dropped himself to No. 4 in Game 3 after opening in the first two games just to get the right combination.

On Thursday, Sharma said, "Looking at the balance and the combination of the team, it is better for me to bat at No. 4. I don't know if I will be opening again in the games to come but it all depends on getting the balance right. It doesn't matter if I bat up or down the order as long as we get the balance right. Right now, I am better off batting at No. 4."

Sharma is slowly getting used to the players from different cities and countries and see what they can offer. "IPL is such that you have players from various cities and countries. Those (first) few weeks, you try to get the combination and the balance right, get used to new players coming in and get a feel what these guys are capable of doing. I have understood what each guy is capable of doing. If we had won, the combination would not have been an issue. The only reason we are trying so many changes is to get the combination. Once you start winning, everything will fall in place. I feel that once we start winning, which will start from tomorrow (Friday), everything will fall in place and we will get what we want."