3 players CSK must retain to revive its saga

Chennai Super Kings is all set to make a comeback to the IPL next year following a two-year suspension. CSK was banned because its owners were found guilty of engaging in illegal betting and match-fixing.

The team has had a very dramatic journey, going from being the most successful in the tournament to the most controversial.

Here are the three players that CSK should retain if it wants to win its third title in next year's edition of the IPL.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MSD is regarded as the best finisher of all time

Dhoni became an integral part of CSK in the inaugural season (2008) when the CSK owners bid US$1.5 million for him, making him the highest paid player.

He led the team for the next eight seasons. Under his captaincy, CSK became the only team to have played in all playoffs, and the team reached the final six out of eight times. It won both the IPL and Champions League T20 twice.

CSK will definitely go to any lengths to ensure that it retains Dhoni next year.

#2 Suresh Raina

Raina has never missed a match for CSK

Every T20 team dreams of a middle order batsman like Raina. In the IPL, he is the highest run scorer with 4,540 runs, holds the record of the highest number of catches, and is the only batsman to have hit scored 400+ runs seven consecutive times.

Raina has been out of international cricket for a while now and will be eager to showcase his talents in the IPL. He has the potential to flip the result of any match with his extraordinary batting skills.

If CSK is looking to create a balanced team, it should build it around Raina.

#3 Dwayne Bravo

The all-rounder who will complete the team

In his IPL debut in 2012, Bravo scored 461 runs at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 178. He took 19 wickets that season, and was CSK's highest wicket-taker. His performances in the subsequent seasons were no less remarkable, and he is one of only two players to have won two purple caps.

Bravo has impressed everyone with his fielding skills as well. He is also well-known for his death over bowling.

Bravo's presence in the team will give CSK an extra edge over other teams as he can play both as a specialist batsman and bowler.