Among Indian Premier League’s nine teams, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remain sentimental favourite of the fans, primarily because of the man at the helm. The 41-year-old Dhoni, with his bulging biceps and never diminishing flash reflexes, remains a top draw even though his batting prowess hasn’t got requisite return.
Yet, having led the team to four titles and nine finals, his mere presence makes the opposition try to think out of the box. No one knows what to do with the tangibles as much as the man from Ranchi does and in what could be his last season as a professional cricketer, he might still have some aces up his sleeves.
With IPL returning to its familiar home and away format, CSK will get to play seven games at “Fortress Chepauk” this season. After failing to qualify for the play-offs last season, Dhoni, who took back the captaincy from an angry Ravindra Jadeja, would certainly like to go out on a high. If he plans to quit also, one can never be sure about ‘Captain Marvel’.
The presence of Ben Stokes will give CSK a different look as his power-hitting could change complexion of any game. Also, on slow Chepauk track, he can produce a magical over or two and at times hurry the batters with his effort deliveries. Seven home games at Chepauk where a Ravindra Jadeja or a Moeen Ali could prove to be very effective on tacky tracks where run-scoring could be difficult. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad look one of the most settled pairs among all teams. Ambati Rayudu, Stokes, Dhoni and Jadeja will form a solid batting core and for low-scoring games, they have Ajinkya Rahane, who could be used as an ‘Impact Player’. The biggest threat for CSK is their ageing unit and Dhoni hasn’t yet produced any second line of potent Indian batters.
Players like Rayudu or Rahane might just find it difficult to up the ante in high-scoring games. The other issue will be lack of quality Indian spinners that will be a worry for Dhoni.