All set: Dhoni will look to kickstart CSK’s marketing campaign in model.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU
From 2008 to 2019, Chennai Super Kings was synonymous with consistency within the IPL. It was the one group which had certified for all of the playoffs in that interval (it didn’t determine within the competitors in 2016 & 17), successful three titles. But over the past three years, the aspect has had a topsy-turvy efficiency curve, ending within the penultimate spot in 2020 and 2022, and clinching the title in 2021.
All that wouldn’t matter when M.S. Dhoni leads the Super Kings out at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on April 3. With the followers ready for this second for the previous three years, it may nicely be one of many defining photos of the season.
At the 2022 mega public sale, CSK prioritised constructing a group with expertise and assembled a squad suited to the spin-friendly circumstances in Chepauk. It didn’t signal a top quality Indian pacer besides Deepak Chahar. Once he was dominated out of the event final 12 months, CSK was left with an ineffective bowling assault because it was pressured to depend on uncapped Indians. With Chahar again, Dhoni’s males will hope that their ₹14-crore signing delivers.
Another motive for the disappointing marketing campaign in 2022 was the poor run of the Indian cream of Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu. Quite a bit will depend upon the trio, other than Dhoni and all-rounder Shivam Dube, to energy the batting unit.
On the abroad entrance, the four-time champion has opener Devon Conway, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes to lend firepower. In Stokes, CSK would possibly have additionally discovered a future chief. However, it needs to be cautious of its line-up turning into left-hander heavy and getting uncovered to off-spin.
Most deadly weapon
The most deadly weapon for Super Kings is the Chepauk pitch. The Yellow Army has at all times maximised its home benefit on the floor aiding the tweakers, successful 40 of its 56 matches (71%) — the very best for any group.
Last 12 months, Maheesh Theekshana was the standout performer and the Sri Lankan spinner ought to relish bowling alongside Jadeja at the MAC Stadium.
With Dwayne Bravo hanging up his boots, CSK wants somebody to bowl successfully at the again finish. Fortunately, it was ready to signal South African speedster Sisanda Magala, identified for his death-bowling expertise, as an damage substitute for Kiwi Kyle Jamieson. The problem can be to accommodate him because the fourth international participant. Super Kings will additionally count on at least one of many Indian quicks to step up.
This season could possibly be a very powerful for the Men in Yellow as hypothesis is rife that it could possibly be the ultimate one for Dhoni, who has revealed that he needs to play his final sport in Chennai.
If 2023 is Dhoni’s final dance, bringing the IPL trophy again to his second home can be probably the most becoming manner to finish an excellent profession.
