IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings SWOT Analysis

Come IPL 2021, the Chennai Super Kings will be keen to make amends after a dismal campaign last year, where MS Dhoni's men failed to make the playoffs.

It marked the first time in IPL history that a team that won the trophy thrice beat a hasty retreat. The Men in Yellow had made the playoffs in each of their ten IPL seasons since 2008.

With a returning Suresh Raina and some new additions, CSK, under a rejuvenated MS Dhoni, will be keen to get back to winning ways.

Dhoni and co. open their IPL 2021 campaign against the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10 (Saturday). Ahead of their season opener, let's have a look at the Chennai Super Kings' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings' Strengths

#1 Immense experience and an astute captain in MS Dhoni

There is a reason why the Chennai Super Kings have been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL.

MS Dhoni's captaincy has been integral to the team's success. While his waning batting prowess has been a cause of concern in recent times, the 39-year-old is more than capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat.

Dhoni's 58.8% winning record in the IPL is the best after Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma's (60.3%). The Chennai Super Kings will surely look to their captain for inspiration as they seek a better IPL outing than in the last edition.

In Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis, Chennai Super Kings boast a wealth of experience, arguably more than that of any other team in the league. On their day, any of these world-class players can take down the opposition.

#2 Smart buys in the IPL 2021 auction

Chennai Super Kings were keen on acquiring the services of T20 specialist Glenn Maxwell ahead of IPL 2021. They were involved in an intense bidding war with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who secured the player's services.

However, CSK have made some smart acquisitions in Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham, Moeen Ali and Indian Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara.

IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings' Weaknesses

#1 MS Dhoni is both the boon and the bane

It is no secret that MS Dhoni's Midas touch is on the wane. His finishing abilities have come into question in recent times, and his lack of game time just adds to the rust factor.

2020 was a below-par IPL season for the talismanic captain, as he failed to notch up a single 50 in the 14 games he played. Dhoni's batting average of 25 was his lowest since 2008 as he scraped through to register 200 runs at a strike rate of 116.2

While these numbers are a sharp decline to his 2019 stats, Dhoni's cricketing brain is still sharp, and that might be what CSK could benefit from. Nevertheless, only time will tell how Dhoni fares in IPL 2021.

#2 Ageing superstars in the age of fit-as-a-fiddle players

More than what the veterans would bring to the table, the major concern for the Chennai Super Kings would be how they cope with the tremendous strain of a high-octane and breezy tournament.

CSK's core squad players are all over the age of 33. That may be significant in combatting fatigue in a league that has set high standards in fitness over the years.

IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings' Opportunities

Sam Curran will be one of CSK's must-watch players in IPL 2021.

#1 The likes of Sam Curran, Krishnappa Gowtham and Deepak Chahar would be exciting to watch

The Chennai Super Kings' core team may well be past their prime, but there should be enough in the team to propel them over the finish line in IPL 2021.

English all-rounder Sam Curran was hugely impressive in 2020, while K Gowtham's explosive batting coupled with his crafty guile to take wickets make the duo exciting prospects.

Add Deepak Chahar, a consistent swing bowler, to the mix and some promising talent in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Narayan Jagadeesan, the Chennai Super Kings could have enough to steal matches from the opposition.

#2 A chance to prove that IPL 2020 was an aberration

Not many foresaw CSK's downward spiral in the IPL last season. Nevertheless, the new edition gives the side a chance to start afresh and prove that 2020 was a one-off.

The Chennai Super Kings might not look devastating on paper, but the quality of the side has never been in question.

CSK will look to gel well early in the league. It shouldn't come as a surprise to see the management working on tinkering with the squad and sorting out kinks right from the start.

IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings' Threats

Form slump in both bowling and batting

Poor batting let the Chennai Super Kings down in UAE.

CSK are known for their slow starts. If they endure another slow start in IPL 2021, that may peg them on the backfoot should their top order fail to fire.

Shane Watson's retirement leaves them a huge void at the top of the order. The challenge for MS Dhoni would be to identify who can be their anchor at the start of the innings and who can plunder boundaries at will in the final stages of games.

Meanwhile, CSK's bowling, known for slow-stifling the opposition batsmen, will have to be on the money. That means there would be less room for error for the likes of Chahar, Tahir and Bravo.