IPL 2018: 5 CSK players to watch out for in the playoffs

Qualifying for the knockouts is never easy in the toughest T20 league in the world. But it is not so for the Men in Yellow, led by the charismatic MS Dhoni. They are the only side in the IPL history to have made the playoffs in all the seasons they have competed in. The Super Kings will be featuring in the IPL knockouts for a record ninth instance in as many seasons.

With 18 points, they have finished second in the points table behind the leaders, Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Chennai Super Kings have achieved a unique feat this season, by defeating every other franchise at least once. Now, MS Dhoni's men will look to go all the way this week to make their comeback a memorable for their fans across the globe.

The Chennai Super Kings will take on the Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede stadium on May 22, the winner of which will directly qualify for the finals to be held on May 27. Let us now look at five players who will hold the key to the success of the most popular IPL franchise in the playoffs.

Special mention: Lungisani Ngidi

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#5 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu represented the Mumbai Indians for eight seasons (from 2010 to 2017) before moving to the two-time winners, Chennai Super Kings in 2018. He was bought by the Men in yellow for INR 2.2 crore at the 2018 auctions.

Not many fancied Rayudu a spot in the star-studded Chennai eleven at the start of the season. But he surprised everyone with his consistent contribution as the top-order and has been the backbone of CSK's batting line-up.

In the fourteen league games this season, Rayudu has scored a staggering 586 runs for Chennai at a strike-rate of 153.40, with his highest score being 100* against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

With two playoff games to be played at his favourite Wankhede stadium, expect the Guntur-born batsman to come up with some lusty blows for the Chennai Super Kings. He will look to continue his good run into the playoffs as well and help his side claim their third IPL title.

#4 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Mr IPL will relish the prospect of playing at the Wankhede stadium in the playoffs, as this is where he came up with one of the best innings in IPL history (87 off 25) back in 2014 against the Kings XI Punjab in Qualifier 2. The IPL has always brought out the best from the southpaw, who crossed the magical 300-run mark for an eleventh consecutive time.

Raina has been the pillar of strength when it comes to CSK's batting and has been consistent right from the inaugural edition in 2008. The Uttar Pradesh batsman has played 13 league games this season, scoring 391 runs at a strike-rate of 130.76 with his highest score being 75*. When it comes to delivering the best under crunch-situations, he is second to none. Expect the big-match player to continue his good run in the playoffs, as he has always done in the IPL, over the years.

#3 Shane Watson

Shane Watson

After his successful eight-year stint with the Rajasthan Royals (2008-2015), Watson moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016 where he had a mediocre stint. Eventually, he was released by them prior to the 2018 auctions where he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 4 crore.

Indeed, it was a bargain considering his all-around prowess. But not many expected him to make such an impact after his failure in the past two editions at RCB. Coming in as an opener this season, Watson has been tremendous with the at the top for Chennai laying the platform for their middle-order.

He has been consistent with the bat scoring 438 runs in 13 league matches he played, at a strike-rate of 161.86 with his best score being 106. In the game against his former franchise- Rajasthan, Watson scored a scintillating century 106 (57), which included nine fours and six sixes and brought up his century in just 51 deliveries.

He has also been brilliant in his bowling, with six wickets in 13 games for Chennai at an economy of 7.93 and has certainly overshadowed Dwayne Bravo this season. Expect him to dominate the playoffs with his all-round prowess.

#2 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan might have had a mediocre stint in the league stages, but never write off legends like him. Having represented the Mumbai Indians for a decade, he will be aware of the Wankhede conditions better than all others.

Harbhajan, who was bought by the Chennai Super Kings at his base price of INR 2 crore has taken seven wickets in 12 league matches at an economy of 8.48. But Bhajji's experience will be very handy for the Super Kings in the tense situations of high voltage games.

As usual, the spinners can make the most out of the Wankhede surface and if Harbhajan is able to put up a splendid display leading from the front then Chennai will fancy their chances of going all the way. In spite of his poor run, he will be one of the players to watch out for. One can't deny that his rich experience will certainly make the difference for Chennai.

#1 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

'Captain Cool' Mahendra Singh Dhoni was retained by Chennai for a whopping INR 15 crore. Dhoni is the longest serving skipper in the IPL having led the Super Kings in nine seasons so far.

The two-time IPL winning captain has silenced his critics by his splendid display of batting this season. In 14 league games, Dhoni has amassed 446 runs at a strike-rate of 157.04 and has contributed consistently for his side down the order.

He has also scored the maximum number of sixes this season - 30 sixes. Dhoni has taken 9 catches and effected two stumping so far this season. He led the Super Kings to their ninth playoff appearance in as many seasons. With his rich cricketing knowledge and vast experience, he will the one who can lead Chennai all the way to glory once again.