IPL 2021 preview: Chennai Super Kings banks on MS Dhoni's experience to return to dominating ways
Chennai Super Kings is one of the top sides in the Indian Premier League, having won the title on three occasions. The side has been led by MS Dhoni on all 12 instances to date, as would be the same in 2021. It managed to finish seventh last season.
FollowIndian Premier League giant Chennai Super Kings is one of the most watched-out sides every season. Thanks to its rich and successful history in the tournament, aided by legendary MS Dhoni's captaincy, it continues to remain one of the most fan-followed teams in the tournament's history.
Having one the IPL on three occasions, the side is a favourite every season. However, it managed to record its lowest when it finished seventh last season, thus failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time. Nonetheless, with the new season posing a fresh challenge, Dhoni and co would be all geared up to get back to winning ways as we present the season preview for the franchise.
Squad composition
As for the squad, it is entirely a balanced side. Among the big guns, it happens to be evenly balanced here as well. However, the side has fallen short in the bowling department after Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has decided to pull out of the season, citing fitness and fatigue, keeping in mind the international calendar. As for his replacement, it is yet to be announced by the franchise.
Strengths and weaknesses
Unlike 2020, CSK has equal strength in every department. As for its batting, the likes Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and Dhoni are the ones who can nail it. With the ball, Bravo, Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, along with Imran Tahir, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar and Lungi Ngidi, are the ones being backed to deliver. With the edition being played in India, Tahir would once again be deadly with his leg-spins.
As for the weaknesses, there are a couple. One of them happens to be the dwindling speed of Dhoni with the bat, along with his efficiency. While he continues to be decent behind the stumps, it is his batting that needs to fire. Furthermore, it's about time he stops promoting himself as the finisher and hands the role to Ruturaj Gaikwad or Sam Curran.
The bowling also has a concern, especially in the pace department. Barring Bravo, Thakur and Ngidi, there are hardly others who are consistent enough and need to step up big time to change its fortunes from last season.
Players to watch out
Gaikwad: The uncapped youngster had played a brilliant role as a finisher last season, and it could be the time that Dhoni hands the duties to him. However, whether he is consistent enough with the role remains to be seen.
Dhoni: Undoubtedly, the man in focus, as Dhoni was highly unimpressive last season, taking time to settle down, besides misfiring as a finisher. About time he steps up, as failure to do so might lead to the rumours contemplating this to be his last season.
Curran: The all-rounder was CSK's best bowler last season. Meanwhile, he has displayed that he too can bat in the middle and can act as a finisher if needed, as was the case against India in the final One-Day International. However, the million-dollar question once again happens to be his consistency.
Tahir: The prolific leg-spinner from South Africa happens to be one of the deadliest, especially in the limited-overs circuit. Although he failed to do so in the tracks of the United Arab Emirates last season, pitches in India being spin-friendly would assist him again, as it indeed makes him one of the prime bowlers to be in contention for the purple cap.
Raina: The milestone man
Meanwhile, the focus would also be on veteran batsman Raina, who is on the cusp of scripting five valuable records, which happen to be:
- Most IPL half-centuries
- IPL's 6k-run club
- 200 IPL sixes
- 200 IPL games
- Most CSK centuries
CSK squad for IPL 2021
Batsmen: Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Chezhian Harinishanth.
All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Sam Curran and Bhagath Varma.
Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni, Robin Uthappa and Narayan Jagadeesan.
Spinners: Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma and R Sai Kishore.
Pacers: Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Lungi Ngidi and Harishankar Reddy.
