Back in the mix and raring to go
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS After serving out a twoseason ban, Dhoni’s team will gun for glory again NEW DELHI: INDIAN OVERSEAS
After being out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the 2016 and 2017 editions due to the spot-fixing scandal, Chennai Super Kings, the two-time champions, are back in the mix.
They have got their core group back as they retained MS Dhoni, handing him the captaincy, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja while getting back all-rounder Dwayne Bravo using the Right To Match (RTM) card in the auction. Super Kings also retained another batsman Faf du Plessis through the RTM card.
Suresh Raina
The left-hander, with 3699 runs at an average of 34.25 and strike-rate of 139.79, is the leading run-getter for the team. His aggression will be vital if Chennai Super Kings are to eye another successful campaign as they return after a two-year gap.
The franchise did let go one of its key players R Ashwin but got back another local favourite in Murali Vijay who played a big part in the two title runs. Super Kings played their cards well in the auction, as they focused on retaining their top stars and then built a side around it, picking several all-rounders.
The batting line-up is impressive with the presence of Vijay, Raina, Kedar Jadhav, Du Plessis and an accomplished finisher in Dhoni.
The experience of Shane Watson will come handy although they lack depth in the pace attack. It will be an opportunity for the likes of promising South Africa
Faf du Plessis
Technically astute and with solid batting credentials, the South Africa skipper will serve as an able deputy to Dhoni. Du Plessis' sheet-anchor role in the middle order will be vital to keep the team's batting order stable.
Harbhajan Singh
For Mumbai Indians, the off-spinner was their go-to bowler in the powerplay. His economy rate of 6.95 proves his ability to contain runs. Wit h the first six overs belonging to batsmen, Harbhajan’s accuracy and control will be an asset. pacer Lungi Ngidi, who was picked at his base price of ~50 lakh, and England pacer Mark Wood to step up and deliver.
In the spin bowling department, they have experience, variety, and guile with leg-spinner Imran Tahir and veteran Harbhajan Singh in the ranks.
Dhoni, who has become synonymous with Super Kings, will be eager to prove himself after being dropped from captaincy last season at Pune Rising Supergiant. He was replaced by Steve Smith as leader of the side.
Under Dhoni’s leadership from 2008 till 2015, CSK were the only team to reach the play-offs in every edition which they
Dwayne Bravo
With the ball, the West Indies all-rounder is capable of providing breakthroughs. With the bat, he can chip in with vital contributions. Bravo's Calypso flair also makes him a f an favourite, which is why CSK used the RTM card to retain him. played. After an absence of two years, the Men in Yellow will be determined to repeat the success in the past and challenge the rest of the teams. At home, Dhoni’s men are virtually unbeatable and this statistic was highlighted brilliantly in 2011 in which they won all eight of their home fixtures during the league stages.
The entry of CSK also renews a southern rivalry named “Cauvery derby”. The much-anticipated clash between CSK and Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore has always been the marquee contest in this tournament and fans will once again see Dhoni square off against Kohli.
Shane Watson
An integral part of Rajasthan Royals earlier, Watson, with 2372 runs at an average of 36 and 61 wickets for RR, is a utility player. With CSK looking for aggressive openers, he fits the role. Watson arrives fresh from a good showing in the BBL.
MS Dhoni
His wicket-keeping skills, death-overs batting and astute captaincy make him an asset even at 36. Dhoni’s leadership and his ability to unearth Indian talent is what sets him apart from the skippers in other franchises.