5 reasons why Chennai Super Kings can win the IPL this year

One of the IPL's most successful team the Chennai Super Kings are back in the IPL after an absence of two years. CSK have enjoyed a 100 percent track record of making it to the playoffs of every IPL they played also having won the IPL and Champions league T20 twice.

While they enjoy a brilliant track record in the IPL, but this is almost a new start for the franchise. Before the mega auctions the franchise, owners gave an indication that they will come back strong as ever by retaining the likes of M.S. Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja. And the owners didn't disappoint their fans as they splashed the cash during the auctions and gathered a team that looks formidable.

Here we look at the five reasons that could be the key if CSK wins the IPL in 2018:

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#1 Captain Dhoni is Back

M.S. Dhoni will be the key to CSK's success

This name needs no introduction. The man with a midas touch, captain cool M.S. Dhoni is back as the captain of CSK and fans can't wait to see India's most successful captain in the captaincy role once again. Be it ICC World T20, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, the IPL Trophy or the Champions League Twenty20, M.S. Dhoni has won all possible trophies that a captain can win and this tells the story of how successful he has been as a captain.

In a tournament as big as IPL, a captain's role is very crucial and in the past 10 years, only a handful of captains have been able to win this prized trophy. All the captains who have won the IPL in the past have been experienced campaigners and there's no one better than M.S. Dhoni at that.

Dhoni has captained CSK for 8 years and he knows what it takes to win the trophy, using his old formula of retaining the core group of players and building a team around them Dhoni looks all set to lead the Super Kings to another IPL Trophy this year.

#2 The core group is back

The core group of Chennai will be crucial if they lift the trophy this year

Over the past 10 years, a lot of teams have spent big in the auctions and played a star studded lineup but that hasn't worked out well in a lot of cases, take Deccan Chargers' season 1 as an example.

The key to perform well in big tournaments like IPL is the understanding between the players and the harmony in the dressing room and that is why all successful IPL teams look to retain their key players. Take a look at the three time champions Mumbai Indians or two time Champions KKR, both of them won multiple titles with the same group of players.

But CSK was the first team who started using this formula and gained huge success from it. However simple it may look, but it's a very difficult task to get the players you want in an auction as it's dynamics is almost unpredictable.

CSK have an appreciable job in retaining the core group of players who have brought them success in the past and with these proven combinations CSK look lethal as ever.

#3 Solid batting lineup

Suresh Raina will be leading CSK's batting once more

IPL is known for it's high scoring matches where big totals are made and chased on a daily basis. With the game of cricket is becoming more and more batsmen-dominated, it's important to have a strong batting lineup in order to win a tournament as big as the IPL.

CSK have always been a strong batting side and they have maintained their reputation this year too. Right from the top of batting lineup, CSK have got the firepower and the variety in their batting lineup with the likes of Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Sam Billings, Suresh Raina, M.S. Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu and Murli Vijay in their ranks. CSK have also got proven all-rounders in Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja to do the big hitting in the slog overs.

The Chennai-based franchise have the most experienced set of Indian Batsmen and they have enough back-ups for every spot in case anyone gets injured or is out of form. CSK's formidable batting lineup could very well line them up for another IPL title this year.

#4 Versatile spin attack

Harbhajan Singh will be a key player for CSK this season

The game of cricket is ever changing. Once it was believed that T20 is the game for batsmen and fast bowlers but in the recent years spinners have turned the tables. In the recent seasons of IPL spinners have proved to be the key in determining a team's success as they have won the games single handedly for their teams.

The resurgence of wrist spin in the year gone by has only added to the dominance shown by spinners. CSK have got a fomidable set of spinners with veteran Harbhajan Singh, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, South African leggie Imran Tahir and wrist spinner Karn Sharma in their squad. Chennai's home matches will take place in the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium which is known for it's spin friendly wickets and the spinners will play a huge role in those seven home games.

CSK have got one of the most versatile spin attack of the tournament which could very well pave their way for another title glory his season

#5 Veteran Coaches

Mike Hussey and Stephen Fleming

The coaches and support staff play a big role in a team's success. The coaches are vital in laying down strategies for matches and team selection. While playing big tournaments like the IPL players generally get demotivated or unfit regularly and at that time a coach needs to be very patient and careful with the player.

CSK have appointed former New Zealand Captain Stephen Fleming as their head coach and the Australian legend Mike Hussey as their batting coach. Fleming has been associated with the Kings from the very first season, first as a player in 2008 and then as a coach from 2009 onward.

Fleming is known for his tactical abilities and calm attitude and he knows the team very well. Mike Hussey's case is similar to Fleming's, he has also played as a player for CSK, playing a crucial role in their 2010 IPL win. Both these legends know what it takes to win big tournaments and they will crucial role if CSK wins the IPL in 2018.