Five reasons why Chennai Super Kings can be the champions of IPL 2018

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is the talk of the country at the moment. Two-thirds of the competition is already over and the competition is getting tougher with each fixture.

Two original teams who were the finalists in the first edition of the massively popular tournament - Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, are marking their comeback in this year's tournament after an absence of two years.

Chennai Super Kings, who pride themselves on a massive fan base that supports them wherever they go to play, have been in stellar form this time out. The entire team has performed well and they currently occupy the second position in the table with 14 points.

Here are the five reasons why Chennai Super Kings can win IPL 2018:

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1) The in-form MS Dhoni

The former Indian captain has been brutally massacring opposition bowlers

MS Dhoni is one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman to have ever played the game and has won everything the gentleman's game has to offer.

However what sets him apart is his brutal batting. Before the start of the tournament, everybody considered Dhoni to play second-fiddle knocks for the team. However, he has led the charge himself and has scored 360 runs in 10 innings. He leads the charts for the most number of sixes(27) this season which shows that he has rediscovered his batting mojo.

Dhoni's capability to steer the innings in whichever manner he likes makes him a really dangerous batsman. He has three fifties in his kitty this season and is definitely going to add more before the season ends.

2) The resurgence of Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has been firing on all cylinders for CSK this season

Ambati Rayudu has always been amongst the runs for whichever side he has played for - Mumbai Indians, Indian national team and Chennai Super Kings this time out.

A promising start to his career when he captained the India team in 2004 ICC U-19 World Cup, was marred by clashes with the BCCI and he made his debut nine years in 2013 against Zimbabwe.

He has replicated the form that made him such an integral part of Mumbai Indians, with CSK this season. He has scored 423 runs in 10 innings and has contributed in almost every single game. His performances have earned him a call-up for India's three-match ODI series against England.

He could prove very vital to CSK's title aspirations.

3) The depth in batting CSK possess

The depth of batting in the CSK squad ensures they post too many runs to chase down

Chennai Super Kings have been scoring runs at will and have scored 180+ runs on seven occasions. A large part of the credit owes its onus to the fact that the team is filled with veterans of the game, who know how to pile up runs irrespective of the opposition.

They have a fantastic opener in Shane Watson who has been in great form recently by scoring 328 runs in 10 innings. He has been partnered very ably by Ambati Rayudu. Besides that, Faf du Plessis is back after sitting out the first few games through injury and Suresh Raina is regaining his touch with each game. Murali Vijay is an able opener who can come in whenever required and do the damage.

In the middle order, Sam Billings has proved himself as a dangerous batsman. MS Dhoni has been a catalyst to their wins so far, with Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja left to add the finishing touch.

4) The inconsistent but effective bowling department

The bowling department of CSK can cause serious problems to the opposition on their day

Compared to their counterparts, CSK's bowling performances have been below par this season with no bowler actually getting into the rhythm and picking up wickets in regular succession.

However, they do have a really talented pool of players who can do some serious damage to the opposition batting lineups.

Shardul Thakur is the leading wicket-taker of the team with 8 wickets in 7 matches. The bowlers have constantly been shuffled by the management and each of them has contributed to the team's successful run till now.

Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir and Karn Sharma take up the spinners quota. Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo are excellent allrounders. Pacers like Lungi Ngidi, David Willey, and Deepak Chahar can make batsmen sweat on their day.

5) The leadership of MS Dhoni

A major reason

of

CSK's success has been the leadership of MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is a veteran when it comes to two things - finishing and captaincy. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains of all time. He is the only captain in the long history of the game, who has won the big three - World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions trophy.

He often puts up blistering knocks that include massive sixes hit into the crowd courtesy of his brutal strength and plays a captain's innings each time his team needs him. He is a master at rotating the strike and controlling the pace of the game.

The positioning of fielders in order to save multiple runs and excellent vision/foresight are crucial elements of his captaincy. The Chennai team as a whole and especially the bowlers have benefited a lot under his captaincy.

He could be the key element for CSK as they march on towards the final.