IPL 2018: Chennai Super Kings squad analysis

#1 Batting

Raina is the all-time highest run scorer in IPL

Murali Vijay and Shane Watson are most likely to open the innings for the Chennai Super Kings when they come out to bat. However, Watson’s run of play in the season will determine how long he will be entrusted to deliver on top of the order for them. Vijay, on the other hand, did not feature in the previous year’s IPL (but made 450 runs in 14 matches for the Kings XI in IPL 2016) and would be itching to go out there and make a mark as an opener in the shortest format of the game.

Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu and somebody like a Dhruv Shorey make up Chennai Super King’s incredible middle order. Had it been 2013 or 2014, this would have been unarguably the best middle order for a team in the IPL, but whether the likes of du Plessis, Dhoni and Raina have the same capability to accelerate and improvise according to the demands of situations in 2018 or not is something that can decide CSK’s fate in the season.

Raina looked good in the T20I series against South Africa but would want a good inning or two in the ongoing Nidahas trophy going into the IPL. A good season in the Indian Premier League can bring his international career on track. It is for Dhoni- the batsman that this season holds a lot of significance. Being the skipper of a familiar franchise and away from the pressure of International Cricket, MS Dhoni can re-discover his quick run-scoring ability and get some valuable time in the middle. An MS Dhoni on fire is a sight you would not like to see as a bowler.

The key players on the side are way above the age of 30 and perhaps in the second half of their careers, which is the biggest challenge for the franchise. Also, Chennai could have gone for another opening batsman especially with Watson not being amidst the runs lately and Vijay being the other opener who is coming after the gap of a season.