Chennai Super Kings
Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings lost to Rajasthan Royals in the last edition’s final, but are seen as strong contenders in South Africa. By not going for any icon player in the last edition, Super Kings hit a masterstroke. Coached by Stephen Fleming, the team showed tremendous form to reach the finals and looked all set to win the trophy, had it not been up against an equally astute rival in the form of Shane Warne.
Seeing the conditions in South Africa, the team can bank on senior players like Mathew Hayden, David Hussey and their star buy for the season – Andrew Flintoff. Freddie along with KP, was the most expensive buy in the second edition auction.
A good start by Hayden & Co. will give the likes of Dhoni, Raina, Hussey and Freddie a licence to go for the assault and that might worry any bowling side. The last year runners-up have more than a formidable line up which also includes names like S Vidyut, S Badrinath and Murali Vijay. For players like Vidyut, Vijay & Badrinath this comes as a brilliant opportunity to knock on the national selection doors.
The bowling department of the team will be led by none other than world cricket’s highest wicket taker in all formats – Muttiah Muralitharan. Murali missed out on performance count in the last edition but would be keen to make amends for it this time around.
Having talked about Murali, it would be pace department which MSD would be banking upon on bouncier and juicy South African pitches. Mkhaya Ntini is all set to give a tough ride to any opposition. CSK saw the emergence of Manpreet Gony last season as a star find of the tournament and taking that into count, one my see the likes of Joginder Sharma and L Balaji coming up with stellar performances.
Considered by many as the most astute and bold captain of current era, captain MS Dhoni is undoubtedly the biggest strength of Chennai Super Kings. Presence of all rounders like Flintoff, Albie Morkel adds to their strength but one might not be surprised with the ‘surprised factor’ that is involved with Dhoni even if unknown faces like S Tyagi, R Ashwin or S Anirudh walk away with man of the match award for Chennai Kings.
Their biggest strength might turn out as their biggest liability; not count performance but fitness. Dhoni missed out the second Test in New Zealand because of back pain and has not got adequate rest. With so much at stake Chennai Kings won’t be the same side without their crown King.
Head Coach Kepler Wessels
Physiotherapist Tom Simsak
Franchisee India Cements
Franchise cost USD 91 Million
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