Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the Indian Premier League in 2010, 2011 and in 2018. For the first six-seven years of the competition, they were considered the best team in IPL before Mumbai Indians took that spot. They had to face a two year ban in 2016 and 2017 when the owners of the franchise were found guilty in a 2013 betting case. They are still the second most valuable team in the IPL after Mumbai Indians. The 2020 season was nothing short of a debacle for CSK. It was the first time that the team failed to even qualify for the play-offs. They would want to turn their fortunes this time around. Who are the Top 5 Players, the CSK would be banking on?
Ravindra Jadeja: He has to be the first player on this list. Jadeja is sort of a legend in IPL cricket. He has played 184 games across 14 seasons of the IPL. He was with Rajasthan Royals in their inaugural title winning season. Then he came to CSK and became a permanent member of the team. He is also in decent form. The rest he is getting right now by missing the India vs England series would be very helpful for the cause of CSK. Jadeja has 2159 runs and 114 wickets under his belt. It will be interesting to see Ravindra Jadeja play this season.
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Moeen Ali: The latest buy of the CSK in IPL 2021 was Moeen Ali. He is one off-spinner that CSK wanted to have since a long time. His performance in the Test series on the spinning tracks was amazing, CSK fans would be excited to have a world-class spinner in their ranks. Moreover, Ali is a lower-middle order batsman who can hit any ball for a six on any given day. Moeen Ali has a strike rate of 140 and 110 wickets in T20s. Earlier, he has played with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Dwayne Bravo: Although, the West Indian has lost the charm which he had, say four years ago. But, he still has the ability of being a match winner for CSK. It used to be said that CSK keep their core team same, thus it helps them to build a team around the same core. Bravo is a player who is part of CSK’s core. Dhoni’s strategies have a big involvement of Dwayne Bravo. He would be a big player to watch out for in CSK.
Imran Tahir: Arguably, the best bowler in the limited overs cricket, Imran Tahir has changed the way the world looks at spin bowlers. Tahir is a quintessential modern day leg spinner who can bowl fast turning balls as well as inviting flighted deliveries. He can stop the run flow and pick wickets as well. Imran Tahir is an asset to have in any T20 team.
MS Dhoni: It would be a crime to not include the captain cool, MS Dhoni in this list of top players in CSK. Even though the ex-Indian skipper has stopped playing competitive cricket, he can surprise his fans on any day. Moreover, Dhoni’s captaincy is a plus for any team. He knows how to get out the best from his players. Recently, a video of MS Dhoni surfaced on the internet where the batsman is seen in full flow. Fans would be excited to see Mahi in action after a long time.
A few players including Raina, Ngidi, du Plessis, Thakur, etc miss out from the list. But anyway, CSK definitely look better than last year, at least on paper. Chennai’s first match of IPL 2021 will be played on 10 April 2021 against Delhi Capitals.