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MS Dhoni retired from international on Aug 15th this year, putting rest to all speculation of his inclusion in the T20 World cup squad. No individual ever in IPL history had such an impact. It will be quite fascinating to see what happens to CSK in future seasons. The stand out difference between CSK and other teams is that while MS boys peak at the right time others choke at the wrong time. The former skipper always believed in keeping the core intact, irrespective of the scenario. The IPL opener against MI will be MS first professional cricket since the World Cup semi-finals.

CSK lost its backbone when Suresh Raina withdrew from this season, Harbhajan Singh would too skip this season. CSK start was not what they would have wanted Deepak Chahar tested positive with corona, Maharashtra player Gaikwad still not fully fit to be available for the IPL opener. Raina absence means they will be without a genuine left-hand batsman this year. This may lead to some forced changes like possible inclusion of Santner in place of Faf, which means Vijay might get a chance to begin the proceedings. Bravo in the recently concluded CPL bagged only nine wickets in 10 matches. Rayudu and Jadhav not in good nick further add pressure to already depleted middle order.

The only thing that CSK can rely on is the guns of experience for the last couple of years. With Dhoni as the captain, they have had immense success in the past. Tahir, DJ Bravo, Chawla holds the experience in the bowling department and big match players like Watson, Faf, Dhoni holds the core of the experience of the batting line-up, although closely look at the lower batting order of CSK, we see a lot of loopholes there. Jadhav and Dj Bravo hasn’t been in the best of batting form down the order. Moreover, even skipper Dhoni has been out of the game for a year or more. So it’s more likely that they will be missing Suresh Raina at the peak.

Player Analysis

MS Dhoni – The mastermind behind CSK’s success. CSK without Dhoni is like air without oxygen. Recently he retired from all forms of cricket after a one-year-long break. Now he shall be looking to ENTERTAINMENT the fans in his own style.

A. Rayudu – Had a wonderful IPL down the line in the last year. Batting as an opener revolutionized his T20 style. He will be looking to score more runs this season in the absence of Suresh Raina.

Shane Watson – The way he batted in the finals of  IPL 2018, it just rebuilds the self faith of Watson after suffering from a terrible year with RCB. He’s a big match player and there should be no doubt about that. He can also be handy with the ball.

Faf Du Plessis–  Once skipper Virat Kohli was asked who should be a perfect number 4. In the India team and he answered with this name. Faf, a wonderful middle order, he knows how to handle tough situations and extract a tough game out of it. Definitely an experienced campaigner for CSK.

Murali Vijay – He’s a very good opener and has been a part of CSK for a long (played for KINGS XI in between). The absence of Raina might lead to his presence in the playing 11. He can be very useful in the powerplays.

Kedar Jadhav– He’s a very good batsman down the order. He has powerful hits in his books and keeps the ability to time the ball well. Moreover, his sidearm bowling action can be very vital in certain cases.

Dj Bravo – it’s been almost 20 years he’s playing the highest format of cricket. His all-round caliber is a key to the team. The death bowling is not as effective as it used to be, oppositions have worked on his slower ones.

Sam Curran – A young talented English all-rounder. Can be a perfect replacement for veteran Dj bravo. He has been good in few games with the Kings Xi and shall be looking forward to contributing this year for the yellow army.

Rajindra Jadeja – He has a role to play with the bat as well as with the ball. And his contribution to the field is just exceptional. He has mastered the art of all-round performance as a whole.

Deepak Chahar – He has developed as a very beneficial T20 bowler not just for CSK but also for India. He is superb with the new ball as well as an improved bowler in the slogs.

Mitchell Santner – A very important all-rounder for CSK but shall be used as a backup. Since Csk has a lot of potential spinners in the team, it might be difficult to fit him in the playing XI. The plus point which goes in his favor is that he is a left-hand batsman.

Ruturaj Gaikwad – He’s a phenomenal batsman when it comes to domestic cricket. He has been tested covid positive but he’s recovering and can be used in place of Suresh Raina in the middle orders

Karn Sharma – A legspinner with a fast action. He also has the potential to whack the ball out of the park.

Imran Tahir – Age is just a number and he is the perfect example of this proverb. He’s 40 and still continues to remain fit. In the dry conditions of the UAE, this guy should be the breakthrough taker for CSK. Won’t get surprised if he turns out to win the purple cap of this season.

Josh Hazlewood -. A very efficient Australian bowler. He’s tall, he’s accurate he’s good with the short balls. But he’s more suited to conditions of Aus, Eng, and NZ where the ball carries much and gets an elevation.

Shardul Thakur – Not just with the ball, he turned to be good as well with the bat in the recent series of India against NZ. This Mumbai pacer is learning a lot and can be handy as a supporting bowler alongside Deepak Chahar or Ngidi.

Piyush Chawla – CSK bought him this year after KKR left him out. He’s an experienced campaigner in the spin department. His mixing googlies and leg-spin has troubled the batsmen a lot in the past.

Lungi Ngidi – A young talented Proteas bowler who knows to deliver with the new ball. He has been o late a foundation of CSK in the IPL and the franchise shall be looking forward to have him in the future too.

Probable Playing XI

Openers : Shane Watson and Murali Vijay

Middle Order: Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(c, wk), Kedar Jadhav, and DJ Bravo,

Fast Bowlers : Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and Lungi Ngidi

Spinners : Imran Tahir/Santner and Ravindra Jadeja

By Staff

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