3 reasons why CSK might win IPL 2018

The 2018 edition of the IPL will see old guards take center-stage as two-time champions and one of the most consistent teams in IPL history return to the fold after their two-year exile.

On rather expected grounds, MS Dhoni will return to the Chepauk much to the delight of the fans.Chennai has been one of the most prolific sides in IPL history having won the title on two occasions in 2010 and 2011 besides making it to the top four in every season.

Chennai’s inclusion in IPL 2018 will certainly add intrigue to the tournament, as it would mean the resumption of classic rivalries between the men in yellow and teams such as Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals.

While CSK has managed to retain its core in Dhoni, du Plessis, Raina, Jadeja and Bravo, fresh faces have also come in, thus adding an extra dimension to the franchise which is pivotal for a team to move forward in such a competitive tournament. While they will still have to start from scratch, the Chennai-based side seems to have enough ammunition to script their third IPL title-winning feat this year.

Here's a look at three possible reasons why I think CSK might win IPL 2018 (Click 'Next Slide to continue)

1. A mixture of youth and experience in the top-order

Raina has been a stalwart for CSK over the years

The Super Kings have always been blessed with an astounding batting line-up at the helm of which, is Suresh Raina. One of the most prolific run-scorer and also the highest run-getter in IPL history, Raina has accumulated 4540 runs at a strike rate of 139.05 across ten seasons.

Raina would be joined by Murali Vijay and Shane Watson at the top order. Vijay, who returns to CSK after a hiatus missed the last season due to injury (but accumulated 450 runs in 14 matches for the Kings XI Punjab in 2016) while Shane Watson would be looking to make amends after an indifferent IPL season last year that saw him make 70 runs and pick just five wickets for RCB. Watson and Vijay will start as openers.

In terms of uncapped players, Delhi batsman Dhruv Shorey would be another player to watch out for. Shorey who averages over 55 in 18 First Class matches, sho into the limelight when he scored a pristine hundred in Ranji Trophy Finals 2017/18 against the eventual champions Vidharba.

2. A plethora of experience in the spin-department

Tahir is one of best spinners in the World

It's not a surprise anymore that MS Dhoni enjoys captaining to the spinners. A plethora of experience, immaculate understanding of the art of spin bowling and pre-meditating the next move of the batsman are basically the three tenets on which the legend of Dhoni's leadership is built.

Keeping these tenets in mind, the CSK think-tank has loaded its side with a variety of spin-bowling options. They may have lost left-arm orthodox in Mitchell Santner due to injury, but in Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma, Jadeja and the turbanator Harbhajan Singh, they have enough ammunition for MS Dhoni to work with and transform the Chepauk, who traditionally aids spin bowling, into a fortress.

3. World Class All-Rounders

Dwayne Bravo has been a consistent performer for CSK over the years.

While their fast bowling stocks may lack potency, CSK would like to bridge that gap with the help of two of the best all-rounders in white ball cricket- Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson. Bravo has been one of the perennial superstars for the CSK over the years with his immaculate bowling and power-hitting shenanigans down the order.

In an outstanding IPL career thus far, Bravo has accumulated 1238 runs along with 122 wickets and the franchise would be hoping that the West Indian weaves his magic yet again at the Chepauk this season.

Watson, in his prime, used to bat and bowl with equal efficiency and was one of the contributors in Rajasthan Royals IPL clinching feat in 2008.

Another all-rounder that has been part of CSK over the years is Ravindra Jadeja. Having been out-of-favor in India's limited-overs set-up, the 2018 season holds great importance to Jaddu.

Though Jadeja hasn’t been in the best of bowling form, his batting form has been quite good in the recently concluded domestic tournaments and his blitz down the order might just make things a lot easier for the two-time champions.