IPL 2018: Rating the Chennai Super Kings squad ahead of the final

#12 Karn Sharma - 5.0

Yet another player who was bought with the conditions at Chepauk in mind, Karn Sharma has largely gone unnoticed during the course of the tournament.

Despite bowling only 39 balls in the five matches he has played for the Super Kings this season, he has taken three wickets and has given away 64 runs. CSK are likely to make better use of him when they return to the MA Chidambaram stadium.

#13 Shardul Thakur - 6.5

Thakur's mixed fortunes in the tournament have not made CSK pay too dearly

Shardul Thakur has been somewhat of an enigma during his time at CSK, as perfectly evidenced by his game against SRH. He gave away 50 runs in his four overs but contributed a valuable 15 with the bat that helped CSK over the finish line.

His 15 wickets in the tournament have come at a heavy price - an economy of 9.16 - and have been one of the reasons for Chennai's poor bowling record at the death. But as Dhoni mentioned after the game against Hyderabad:

This is the best combination that we have got. And right from the first game we've used different bowlers in different ways to find out who is the best bowler at the end. You have to keep shuffling them to see who can see a good job for me.

They will get hit at some point of time. These are the bowlers, and our bowlers, who were playing this game. They will have to step up in the final.

Here's to hoping Thakur steps up in the final. Or at the very least, repeats what he did in the qualifier.

#14 Shane Watson - 7.0

Watson has enjoyed something of a revival during this season

Shane Watson was yet another player who was considered way past his prime and was completely written off even before he faced his first ball in the yellow colours of the Super Kings. There are few things as sweet as redemption.

Watson went on to score 438 runs so far, and together with Rayudu, he was responsible for providing a solid foundation for Chennai's deep batting order to build on. Sure, he might get out in the powerplays during most of the matches but he can always be counted on to give a quick start at the top.

He has also contributed decently with the ball, rolling his arms over when called for. Six wickets in 14 games are more than good for an opener who only bowls occasionally.