2013 Champions League T20 team preview: Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings are the most consistent team in the history of IPL. In the six editions of IPL, they have reached the finals five times and their worst finish is the semis, which came in the second edition.

Chennai Super Kings are the only IPL team to complete a double i.e. winning the IPL and CLT20 in the same year. After winning the Champions League T20 in 2010, the men in yellow failed to replicate the success in the following editions.

But they are considered as one of the dangerous T20 side in the World. They qualified for 2013 CLT20 courtesy their second place finish in IPL 2013. They lost to Mumbai Indians in the final, courtesy a fine 50 from Keiron Pollard and a ferocious spell from Lasith Malinga.

With the likes of MS Dhoni, Raina, Bravo, Ashwin in their ranks, one can expect the Chennai Super Kings to win the CLT20 for a record second time. As always, they go into the tournament as one of the hot favourites.

Squad:

Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Coach: Stephen Fleming

Batsmen: Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, S Badrinath, Michael Hussey, Faf du Plessis.

All Rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Ravindra Jadeja, Chris Morris.

Bowlers: R Ashwin, Imtiaz Ahmed, Mohit Sharma, Jason Holder.

Wicket Keeper: MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha.

Strengths:

• Presence of consistent performers in T20 circuit across the globe.
• Combination of youth and experience.
• Presence of many world-class fielders.
• Presence of four quality all-rounders in the playing XI brings more balance to the side.
• They have the depth in their batting line up.
• Last but not the least, their leader of the team: MS Dhoni.

Weakness:

• Ability to get complacent at early stages of the tournament.
• All the players are fresh from break and it may take some time for them to settle in.
• They have a relatively poor record in CLT20 that may play a vital role in the players’ minds.

X-Factor:

Chennai Super Kings’ All Round Quartet holds key for the ‘whistle podu‘ men yet again. The quartet consisting of Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris and Ravindra Jadeja have formed a lethal combination that can pose a huge threat to the opposition.

All these players are capable of clearing the boundaries with ease and can finish off the innings with a final flourish. Any captain would love to field such a line-up where he can finish off 14-16 overs using his all rounders without seeking help of his premier bowlers.

Bravo was also the leading wicket taker in IPL 2013 and Jadeja is the number one ODI bowler at the moment. Adding to these qualities, these players are terrific fielders too.

Players to watch out for:

He is considered as the man with the Midas touch, as cool as a cucumber, captain marvel and the list goes on. Having won the T20 World Cup, 50 over World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, two IPL trophies and a Champions League T20 trophy, no wonder people associate Mahendra Singh Dhoni with those mentioned names. He is not only known for his captaincy, but also his batting skills. He reads the game well and carries his innings according to the situation. He is also a hard hitter of the ball who can easily hit a 100m six with ease. For CSK to revive their CLT20 fortunes, the onus is on this man to call the right shots. CSK are scheduled to play most of the games in Ranchi – the hometown of Dhoni.

Till the 2010 version of IPL, this tall, lanky spinner from Tamil Nadu was just a First-Class cricketer. But once the third edition of IPL got over, he broke into the international scene and established himself as one of the best in the business. His performances in the 2010 edition of CLT20 gave him enough confidence as he finished as the leading wicket taker in the tournament. At present, R Ashwin is considered as one of the most feared bowler among batsmen. He has the tendency to bowl a tight line by which he not only contains the run flow but also picks up wickets. He is also useful with the new ball and Dhoni may use him to open the bowling in conditions favouring the spinners. He is also a decent batsman and a good slip fielder.

Possible Playing XI: Mike Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Morris, Albie Morkel, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohit Sharma

Chennai Super Kings Schedule:

Sunday 22 September v Titans in Ranchi

Thursday 26 September v Qualifiers in Ranchi

Saturday 28 September v Heat in Ranchi

Wednesday 01 October v Trinidad in Delhi

Going into the tournament as favourites yet again, will CSK bury their CLT20 ghosts in the past and win the tournament?