IPL 2018: 5 players who can guide CSK to the IPL title

There’s no denying the fact that the 11th edition of Indian Premier League has witnessed some of the most closely fought IPL encounters in the history of the league. With most of the games going down the wire, the fans have been thoroughly entertained to get their money’s worth.

As we enter into the second half of the tournament, the race for the top four spots gets even more exciting especially, with teams languishing at the bottom, punching above their weights to spring a surprise against the table toppers.

However, Chennai Super Kings, who returned after a span of two years has been one of the most sorted out teams this edition. Despite a lacklustre bowling attack, the men in yellow have powered themselves to glory on most of the occasions.

We take a look at some of the key players who can guide them to this year’s IPL title:

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#5 Harbhajan Singh - A bank full of experience

After representing Mumbai Indians for ten consecutive years, Harbhajan shifted his base to begin a new journey with the men in yellow. He was roped in by the franchise considering his vast experience that he brings on to the table. He got a nod from this Southern franchise when he was bought at his base price of INR 2 Crores.

The veteran off-spinner boasts to have an experience of playing more than 100 IPL games under his belt. It was a well-known fact that Singh won’t be a match winner for his side but could well be a reliable bowler who can bat lower down the order.

And the 37-year-old has done enough justice to his abilities with four wickets in the 7 games with an economy just above 7 to give his side a real chance with the ball. His tidy spells in the powerplay have made him a go-to man for the skipper.

#4 DJ Bravo - A Rockstar of T20 cricket

One of the best entertainers on the cricket field, DJ Bravo is arguably the world's best all-rounder in this version of the game. As one of his recent exploits, he even became the first bowler to clinch 400 T20 wickets. In the past few years, his batting has suffered a bit due to the lack of opportunities that have come his way.

However, the Caribbean superstar has astounded one and all to let his bat do all the talking. He has enabled his side with some crucial knocks in the lower order as one of his innings against Mumbai in the league opener sealed the game for the men in yellow.

He is a seasoned campaigner who possesses a rich experience of playing T20 cricket in all parts of the world. Bravo will hope to bring laurels back to the CSK camp by helping them lift the IPL title for the third time and script their perfect return to the IPL.

#3 Shane Watson - Using his abilities to the fullest

The veteran Australian has been a valuable addition to this CSK lineup. After being rejected by most of the franchise at this year’s IPL, CSK invested faith in the explosive all-rounder to serve them in this year’s IPL. And the 36-year-old has lived up to their expectations so far in the tournament.

Chennai experimented with him opening the innings as they move seemed to pay rich dividends for the team. He has torn apart oppositions in the powerplay overs to set a platform for a huge score in prospect. In the nine games played so far, Watson has scored 317 runs with a healthy strike rate of above 160.

He even blazed a century in a match winning cause against the Rajasthan Royals. His all-around abilities, both with the bat and ball have come good for his team’s cause as the franchise will expect him to continue his good run of play.

#2 Ambati Rayudu - In a quest to carve an image for himself

The form of Ambati Rayudu has been the biggest positive for the Dhoni-led CSK side. The failure of players like Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis have paved the way for Rayudu to show his class with the bat. The Andhra-born guy has been instrumental in stepping up to the task in adverse situations for his team.

In the nine matches played so far, Rayudu has scored 391 runs to be the highest runs scorer for the men in yellow in this season. He also currently holds the honour for bagging the Orange Cap.

In his blitz at the top of the order, Rayudu has played with an attacking approach to do the bulk of the scoring for his side. He has held the innings at several times and would look to carry his form in the business end of the tournament.

#1 MS Dhoni - A man on a mission

This has been the most adorable story of this year’s IPL with MS Dhoni returning to the fore to bank on his abilities to take on any bowlers in the league. The ‘Captain Cool’ has led from the front to wreak havoc in the opposition dressing room. The fear while his batting is much evident in the eyes of the bowlers.

In this season, he has blazed bowling attacks in his own style. Be it his highest score in a losing cause against the Kings XI or his hammering at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was a sight that many have waited in anticipation.

With 329 runs in nine games, he is currently the second highest run scorer for Chennai. He has smashed runs at the strike rate in excess of 165 with three fifties to his name. The lion, as many Chennai fans see him as, has arrived and would certainly expect to ride his team to a successful IPL campaign on their return.

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