IPL 2021: After final yr’s low, MS Dhoni’s CSK has loads to realize

The return of Suresh Raina might enhance the batting division however spin-reliant Chennai Super Kings should adapt to situations which will help pacers as they search to enhance upon their nightmarish present of final season.
Three-time champions CSK had a flop present final season, avoiding the picket spoon thanks to a couple victories on the back-end of the league part as they didn’t make the play-offs for the primary time within the match’s historical past.

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 31, 2021
Here is a take a look at what works and what doesn’t for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led workforce, which opens its marketing campaign by taking up Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on April 10.
STRENGTHS:
CSK have oodles of expertise, which can stand them in good stead in essential conditions. The inspirational management of Dhoni is one other benefit for the workforce. The return of Raina will strengthen the batting unit which faltered far too typically in final yr’s IPL within the UAE.

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 1, 2021
A batting line-up of Raina, together with Faf du Plessis, Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, new recruit Moeen Ali and quick bettering Ruturaj Gaikwad might show a handful for rival bowling assaults and large scores might set the platform for the bowlers to do their job.
With the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Shardul Thakur, Curran, Deepak Chahar within the line-up, CSK have an honest bowling unit to check one of the best of batsmen in opposition ranks.
WEAKNESSES:
A workforce comprising ageing stars proved CSK’s undoing final season and so they have caught just about to the core squad. In the fast-paced world of T20s, senior stars might show to be a handicap.
With among the CSK gamers, together with Dhoni, Raina, Rayudu and Tahir having retired from worldwide cricket and never taking part in home video games, lack of match time might damage the workforce. That aside, the captain’s waning ending powers has not helped the workforce’s trigger.

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 31, 2021
The choice of Australian tempo ace Josh Hazelwood to tug out of the IPL to offer himself relaxation forward of the hectic worldwide season forward will probably be a blow for CSK.
Also, Ravindra Jadeja is coming back from a protracted damage break and the way quickly he will get again to his finest should be seen.
Veteran Trinidad all-rounder Dwayne Bravo’s diminishing returns aside from his damage issues would fear CSK.

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 31, 2021
With this yr’s IPL matches to be performed at impartial venues, CSK, which rely a lot on spin, should alter their technique, particularly in Mumbai the place the wickets can also have one thing for pacers.
The spin bowling division has skilled and skilful operators however the think-tank must get the mixture proper. Imran Tahir spent most of final season on the bench and the others like Piyush Chawla and Karn Sharma had been ineffective.
OPPORTUNITIES:
After a forgettable 2020 season the place they completed seventh, issues can solely go north for Dhoni and his males. Known to be gradual starters, the Super Kings would must be at their finest from the start to make an impression and in addition get the mixture proper.
THREATS:
Poor batting let down CSK final season within the UAE and in the event that they don’t rework their techniques, it might hamper their probabilities but once more.
The tempo bowlers might want to step up huge time if the three-time champions are to place up a great present, else it could be one other robust season for Dhoni & Co.
CSK Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Sam Curran, R Sai Kishore, Moeen Ali, Okay Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujra, Harishankar Reddy, Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishanth.