IPL 2019: 5 Key players to CSK's title defence

The cricket carnival is back. The ‘Men in Yellow’ from Chennai are all set to kick-off their title defence against the ‘Red Army’ from Bangalore at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In 2018, Chennai Super Kings announced their comeback in style after the two-year suspension from the league by winning the IPL Trophy for record-equaling three times.

Skippered by the ‘captain cool’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings are synonymous with the T20 league because of their popularity and achievements in the league. CSK has been the most successful team of the IPL with the most number of wins, most number of appearances in the final, and most number of appearances in the semi-finals. Mighty Super Kings not only rule the IPL points table but also the hearts of millions of the fans worldwide.

IPL 2019 is now only a day away, and it makes us wonder if Chennai Super Kings can repeat the history when they became the first team to lift the IPL title back to back in 2011 and 2012. They already have a good squad at their disposal with a perfect blend of experience and balance.

Once again they will be looking to unlock the full potential of their squad and make the most of the resources they have at their disposal. CSK again will prove to be a tough nut to crack this season, and they are once again entering the tournament as a firm-favourite to lift the IPL trophy on May 12.

CSK’s roaster boasts many big-name players like Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo and skipper MS Dhoni himself. Chennai fans will be hoping for a repeat of their previous year's performance and keeping their title defence in mind, here are the five players who will play a massive role if Chennai Super Kings have to lift the coveted IPL trophy for a record fourth time.

#5. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir

The Pakistan-born South African cricketer, Imran Tahir is going to be a crucial player for the CSK in the tournament. Famous for his animated celebrations, Tahir is one of the most under-rated wrist spinners in the cricketing circles.

He is a good leg-spinner who has a knack of picking up wickets in the middle overs. His googly is tough to pick for any batsman, and he has this ability to bamboozle even the best in the business.

The wrist spinner has a decent IPL record with 53 wickets in 38 matches at an average of 22.26. Chennai pitches will assist the spin bowling and Dhoni will look up to Tahir to provide the crucial break-troughs in the middle. As evident from the past seasons, wrist spinners play a crucial role in the tournament, and Imran Tahir will be a key player to CSK's chances in the IPL 2019.

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#4. Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

CSK bought Kedar Jadhav at a hefty amount in the auction ahead of the 2018 IPL, but he could have played only one match last season due to the injury. It was CSK’s tournament opener, where he had to retire hurt in the mid of his innings. However, he came back to help the team win a thriller. Learning the art of finishing from the ‘captain cool’ himself, Jadhav will be looking to make the most of this season and contribute heavily to the team’s success.

Since his return to the Indian team, his credentials as an ODI batsman have increased rapidly, and his low-arm, side-on off-spin will provide an extra bowling option to MS Dhoni. Jadhav is tough to pick as a bowler, and we can trust Dhoni to use him smartly in the spin-friendly conditions.

#3. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

Having played in each edition of the IPL so far, Dwayne Bravo is one the most experienced players in the CSK team. The Caribbean superstar is an entertainer par excellence who has lit up the IPL whenever he has got an opportunity to play.

In 122 matches he has played in IPL, he has picked up 136 wickets with a best of 4/22. Besides, he has also scored 1430 runs with a strike rate of 128.72 in the tournament. He is an exceptional death bowler who can outfox any batsman in the world with his clever pace-variations and pin-pointed Yorkers.

All eyes will be on Bravo as he will be a regular starter for the CSK team and CSK fans will expect him to deliver the goods once again, and they also will love to watch his unique celebrations on the field.

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#2. Shane Watson

Shane Watson

Shane Watson was CSK’s most valuable player in IPL 2018, where he scored 555 runs in 15 matches. He scored two centuries in the last season, including the one in the finals and he was the most significant force behind CSK’s triumph last season.

Watson is in great T-20 form at present. In recently concluded PSL, he scored 430 runs in 12 matches at an average of 43 and was deservingly adjudged ‘Man of the Tournament’. CSK will hope that he continues his purple patch and score loads of runs for the franchise.

The all-rounder will open the batting for the CSK would look to provide the flying starts to the team.

#1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

The ‘Thalaiva' has had a stellar IPL career where he has scored 4016 runs in 175 matches. Dhoni has already lead CSK to three IPL victories and this season he will be aiming to add another one in his already stacked up trophy cabinet.

Besides being a master tactician, he is also a great middle-order batsman, and arguably the best finisher world cricket has ever seen. Along with the likes of Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, he will shoulder the batting responsibilities in the middle order. This season also, CSK will look towards him to bail the team out from difficult situations, which he has already been doing for years now.

On the personal front, he would look to perform decently with the bat in the run up to ICC World Cup 2019.

Dhoni will be eager to get out on the field in front of his home crowd and start the title defence on a winning note.