IPL 2020: The best players in each department for Chennai Super Kings

#4 Wicket-Keeper and finisher - MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni will be fresh for IPL 2020

There was no doubt on this one, was there? MS Dhoni is the heartthrob of CSK and one can't even imagine anyone else leading them onto the field. Dhoni hasn't played any cricket in 2019 after the World Cup ended and it's possibly because he wanted a mental break after playing continuous cricket for years.

So, he would be quite fresh for next season and it is a good thing for CSK. Last season, the former Indian skipper scored 416 runs from 15 games at an incredible average of 83 and at a strike rate of 135. Dhoni has been CSK's finisher for years now and there's no doubt that he will play the same role in IPL 2020.

The problem CSK have is that there is no suitable replacement available for Dhoni. The only other wicket-keepers CSK have are N Jagadeesan and Ambati Rayudu, both of whom have quite different styles to Dhoni. So, it's important for CSK that their skipper stays fit throughout the tournament.

#3 Batsman - Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis was great for CSK last year

This was another tough choice to make as none of CSK's batsmen were consistent enough last season. But if one has to select someone, it has to be Faf du Plessis, who was by far CSK's best top-order batsman in IPL 2019.

He scored 396 runs in 12 games at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 124. The South African also had some added responsibility because of the fact that Shane Watson wasn't firing on all cylinders at the start of the tournament and neither was Ambati Rayudu. Hence, if we take that into consideration, du Plessis' numbers command even more respect.

While South Africa didn't have a great 2019, individually, the 35-year-old had a great year and he would be looking forward to the IPL this season as it would be the base for the T20 World Cup this year. As far as back-up options go, CSK don't have many, other than Rayudu, as no one is really a natural opener. So, chances are, the South African skipper will play most of the season unless Dhoni thinks he needs an extra overseas bowler or all-rounder.