Chennai Super Kings’ reputation as one of the most consistent teams of IPL went south last year.
They looked in a complete mess for most of the tournament and for the first time failed to qualify for the playoffs. They were even subjected to mockery by critics, with the ageing squad led by 39-year-old Mahendra Singh Dhoni being referred to as “Dad’s Army”.
But a new season renews hope and so one can expect the Super Kings to take the field without any baggage from the past and retrieve their lost pride.
The three-time champions have always tried to retain the core of the team and it is no different this time. Most of the faces are old, with just a few new additions.
Among the ones missing this time will be Shane Watson, who has retired. Youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to partner South African veteran Faf du Plessis at the top of the order.
Returning to the team will be Dhoni’s trusted middle-order general Suresh Raina, who had withdrawn from last season’s meet at the last minute.
Middle-order batting was quite a headache for Dhoni’s team in IPL 2020. The likes of Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu did not inspire confidence and captain Dhoni himself was terribly out of form. So the return of Raina, who is the second highest run-scorer in the tournament’s all-time tally, is expected to lend spine to Super Kings’ batting. The team would hope that the 34-year-old is in shape and can put to use his unmatched experience.
Super Kings will also bank on the all-round abilities of Ravindra Jadeja and English youngster Sam Curran, while one is unsure if 37-year-old Dwayne Bravo is still the force he once used to be. They have roped in Moeen Ali too and it needs to be seen if the Rs 7 crore-acquisition can deliver on the field.
Shardul Thakur, who has been quite impressive for India in the last few months, is set to play a key role with the ball.
Faf du Plessis (Picture courtesy: CSK)
Suresh Raina (Picture courtesy: CSK)
Ravindra Jadeja’s form with bat and ball will be crucial. (Picture courtesy: CSK)
Lessons from IPL 2020
⚫ Dhoni will have to be more flexible with his final XI selection. Last year, often the team lacked enough imagination when in a crisis. Dhoni, unlike a Virat Kohli, dislikes too much of chopping and changing, but at times one feels that he is too conservative in his player selections. For 20-over matches, perhaps a little bit of out-of-the-box experimentation helps at times. Like they found out the worth of Ruturaj Gaikwad last year once they were brave enough to give him enough match time.
⚫ Super Kings’ spin armoury lacked depth in IPL 2020. One reason for that could be Dhoni’s reluctance to play leg-spinner Imran Tahir. The Pakistan-born South African is 41 but remains good enough to bowl four overs in an IPL match. His bag of tricks could prove invaluable to Dhoni in crunch situations. If Moeen Ali cements his place in the team, the Tahir-Moeen-Jadeja trio may work well for Super Kings. The other notable spinners in the squad are New Zealander Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma and Krishnappa Gowtham.
Last year’s finish: Seventh
X-factor
At just 22, Sam Curran has already shaped himself as one of the better all-rounders in contemporary cricket. His left-arm medium pace is intelligent, he has the knack of providing breakthroughs, he can bat under pressure down the order (or at any position) and yet unleash some big hits — Sam has everything that a good all-rounder needs. His recent knock of 95 not out in the final ODI against India and his exploits for the Super Kings last year (186 runs at a strike rate of 131.91 and 13 wickets) make him one of the players to watch out for in the upcoming edition of the IPL.
Sam in IPL
Batting
⚫Mts 23 n Runs 281 n HS 55* n Avg 23.41 n S/r 143.36
⚫ Fifties 2
Bowling
⚫ Mts 23 n Wkts 23 n Best 4/11 n Avg 29 n Econ 8.89
⚫ 4-wkt haul 1
Sam in T20s (overall)
Batting
⚫ Mts 91 n Runs 1055 n HS 55* n Avg 19.53 n S/r 131.54
⚫ Fifties 5
Bowling
⚫ Mts 91 n Wkts 81 n Best 4/11 n Avg 29.83 n Econ 8.58
⚫ 4-wkt haul 2
