Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent team in Indian Premier League (IPL). They are the defending champions and have featured in the semifinals of every edition. In the inaugural tournament, they went down in the finals and again in 2009, Dhoni and his boys lost the semifinals against Bangalore. From then onwards they have won both the editions.

They have been the most consistent side and will start as favorites this year’s as well. The Kings do not believe in changes and there team is almost same from the day this tournament began. Super Kings play extremely well in their home ground and have a terrific record there.

This team from Chennai look unbeatable at times and have the talent to reach any heights. They pick up the intensity whenever required and are led by one of the most successful captain of all time. They have everything what is needed in this competition and even their bench strength augur a lot of potential.

Batting

International Players: Chennai Super Kings are very lucky to have ‘Mr. Cricket’, Michael Hussey in their team. Hussey has been a prolific run-scorer in every format that he has played in. For Chennai, he opens the innings and plays the role of a sheet-anchor. Hussey always scores at a good pace and is wonderful in chasing a target. Super Kings also have some Calypso magic in their team in the form of Dwayne Bravo. Bravo has some extraordinary shots in his kitty and can turn a match on its head. Albie Morkel has been with the Chennai right from the very beginning. Over the past four years Morkel has played some crucial knocks and has some biggest sixes to his name. Along with these star players Super Kings have roped in some young talent in the form of Francois Du Plessis from South Africa. They also have experienced Kiwi, Scott Styris who can provide solidity in the team.

Domestic Players: Chennai Super Kings are the strongest when it comes to domestic batsmen as they have some hardest hitters of the cricketing ball from India. Captain MS Dhoni can hit the ball miles. He has proven it against every opposition and in all the formats. He is one of the best finisher in short formats and till the time he is on crease nothing is impossible. He likes rotating himself in the batting order and will continue to do that as he is successful in almost all the positions. Murali Vijay has not done any good for himself at the international level, but this local lad plays like a true king in this competition. He is one of the highest run-getter in the side and his strike rate is also very high. He opens the innings for the Kings and gives them the momentum early in the game. Suresh Raina is also the part of this explosive batting line-up. In these conditions Raina can be murderous. He can kill any bowling attack in the fraction of a second. If his captain is considered to be the best finisher then he is not that far behind either. Raina can clear any boundary with a mere flick and it will be a sight to watch him bat in this tournament again.

Subramaniam Badrinath may not be that explosive compared to his other team mates, but he is equally important. It is Badrinath who makes things simpler for the other batsmen. He has played some very crucial innings in the past for the men in yellow and provides the much needed stability to the team.

Bowling

International Players: Doug Bollinger has played a pivotal role in Chennai’s success in this competition. He is a genuine wicket-taker. Bollinger provides early wickets to his side and has the ability to ball at the death overs. It’s his stint with the Chennai team that won him his place in the national side and that shows how impressive he has been. Morkel and Bravo are two genuine all-rounders as they are very effective with the ball as well. Both can swing the new ball and bowls some beautiful cutters, getting them away for runs will be difficult for any side. Super Kings also have two Sri Lankans, Nuwan Kulasekara and Suraj Randiv, but it will be difficult for them to find a place in the side.

Domestic Players: Super Kings have one of the best spin bowlers in this tournament – R Ashwin. Ashwin can take a lot of credit for Chennai winning two back-to-back championships. He bowls with tremendous guile and is the master of the ‘carrom ball’. He is very tough to get him away and he is also a prolific wicket-taker. It is noticeable that Ashwin was the man who took Chris Gayle’s wicket in the last year final. Shadab Jakati plays a perfect foil to Ashwin. Just like his fellow off-spinner, he too balls with a tremendous control and bowls well with both the new and the old ball. He is a very important part of the team and is a very good fielder as well. His slow left-arm spin has won Chennai many matches. Chennai have got a new inclusion in their side in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja is also very good with the ball and can hit some good shots.

Players to watch out from Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Michael Hussey

Chennai Super Kings complete squad:

MS Dhoni, Abhinav Mukund, Ganapathi Vignesh, Joginder Sharma, Kuthethur Vasudevadas, Murali Vijay, R Ashwin, Shadab Jakati, Srikkanth Anirudha, S Badrinath, Sudeep Tyagi, Suresh Raina, Yo Mahesh, W Saha, Albie Morkel, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, F Du Plessis, George Bailey, Michael Hussey, N Kulasekara, Scott Styris, Suraj Randiv

By Gaurav Jha

Indian Sports News