IPL 2018: The core players of Chennai Super Kings

The Kings return to their kingdom after a two-year hiatus. The two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners are back in business and they would be hungry to win. They are a franchise that has a massive fan following and has performed consistently throughout the IPL. Their management more or less brought back the players that had become synonymous with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the auction. Now, the onus is on the team to recreate the magic.

Let’s have a look at CSK’s five players who form the core of their team.

---

#1 MS Dhoni

There is something pleasant about watching MS Dhoni play in that yellow jersey. It would be hard to believe for a stranger that Dhoni is from Ranchi and not from Chennai. Those charismatic finishes, that calmness, and the ever-alert mind, the city of Chennai is going to be alive again as their king is back on his throne.

A veteran of 159 IPL games, Dhoni is an invaluable player as he is the captain of the ship, the wicketkeeper and the backbone of the middle order. Dhoni would like to inch closer to that 4000-run mark and increase his tally of 17 fifties in this season. Having scored at an average of 37.88, Dhoni is CSK’s bankable player.

#2 Suresh Raina

Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina is a different batsman when he wears the yellow jersey. He may have struggled in the recent past in India colors but has always performed well for CSK. Having left the ghost of the yo-yo test behind him, Raina has a point to prove in the IPL as he looks to cement his place in the national team.

With an experience of 161 IPL games, Raina knows how to tackle pressure situations. He has amassed 4540 runs in the league so far at an average of 34.14. Raina has not only scored 31 fifties but is also a handy bowler with an economy of 7.4. And it goes without saying that he is a brilliant fielder.

#3 Ravindra Jadeja

The 29-year-old bowling all-rounder made a name for himself by performing consistently in the IPL and in the domestic circuit. Jadeja bowls at a decent economy rate of 7.81 and comes in at the end of the innings to smash the ball at a strike rate of 122.92. Dhoni has shown confidence in his batting and this season, he might use Jadeja in the middle order as opposed to the lower-middle order.

If the dashing left-handed batsman has to play up the order, his average has to increase from 24.06. Whether or not he gets to bowl his full quota of four overs depends upon the pitch, opposition, and the match situation. However, he has 82 wickets against his name and can certainly be relied upon to bowl a couple of overs after the power play.

#4 Dwayne Bravo

It is difficult to visualize IPL without certain characters from the West Indies. Think of Dwayne Bravo and you think of the ‘Champion' song. Bravo is an excellent contributor as he is good in all three departments of the game. He is a livewire in the field, his slower deliveries are deceptive, and when he is on song with the bat, then there is no stopping his Bravado.

Bravo’s economy rate is decent but he is a wicket-taking bowler. He has taken 122 wickets in 106 IPL games at an economy rate of 8.2. Bravo has scored four fifties in the league and CSK would like him to increase that tally in order to lend some solidarity to the lower-middle order.

#5 Shane Watson

After the auctions, Watson said that he is excited to play under MS Dhoni and is honored to play for CSK. The fans will respond back with a lot more excitement if he does for CSK what he has done for Australia over the years. Watson can be your opener, sheet anchor, finisher as well as a dasher. He is 36, has played 102 IPL games and can change the game with the bat as well as with the ball.

Watson’s all-round abilities are a huge asset for CSK. He has taken 86 wickets at an economy rate of under 8 and has scored more than 2600 runs at an average of 31. With 14 fifties under his belt and a strike rate of 138.66, Shane Watson is CSK’s trump card. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if he is the same Watson who was a pillar of strength for the Australian side or has age taken a toll on him.