Chennai Super Kings Team Preview IPL 2024: It is that time of the year again as ten massively supported sides from the sprawling nation go in search of the coveted golden trophy and everything that goes with it.
The joint-most successful side in the history of the money-rich tournament, the Chennai Super Kings, will set out to yet again defend the title that they clinched in awe-inspiring and gruelling fashion last time around with the charismatic skipper MS Dhoni leading from the front.
CSK have managed to defend the title once in their long and glorious history in the year 2011 as they became the first-ever side to retain the IPL trophy and would look to emulate the feat accomplished over a decade ago by the Yellow Army.
The upcoming season has generated more buzz than the already Dhoni-mad city and its fans as it could be the World Cup winner’s final year as an active player in the bustling T20 franchise league. The previous season was rumoured to be the captain’s final season, an exit from the competition with the prized title felt like a chance for the icon to leave on a high, but the 42-year-old felt he had at least another season in him and worked his way through a knee injury to ‘gift’ the Chennai-faithful another year.
Follow all the action from IPL 2024, including the IPL 2024 Schedule and IPL 2024 Points Table. Also, check Players vying for IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap
CSK, who have become the gold standard for teams to try and mimic, had an exceptional outing at the auction table a couple of months ago as they strengthened the side with quality picks surpassing even the wildest imaginations of the cricket-loving populace of the city.
The biggest question mark for the side following the retirement of middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu was the crucial No.4 spot in the side and the management went all guns blazing to fill the veteran’s shoes with the brilliant Daryl Mitchell. The Chennai think tank splurged out INR 14 Crores to get the 32-year-old cricketer, who has proven his mettle on the international stage over and over again.
But, perhaps what took even the hardcore fans of Chennai was the INR 1.8 Crore steal of fellow Kiwi Rachin Ravindra, who lit up the recently concluded World Cup in India and could prove essential following the injury to compatriot and CSK opener Devon Conway, who will be sidelined for the initial phase of the tournament with an injury.
CSK weren’t done there as they also managed to bring back Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has a knack for picking up wickets at important junctures, for INR 4 Crores. The five-time winners have also managed to rope in Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for half of what Thakur cost the side to add a left-arm seamer to their arsenal.
Youngsters Samir Rizvi, who set the domestic circuit ablaze with multiple tons through the season and Indina U19 keeper Aravally Avinash to their fold for the price of INR 8.4 Crores and 20 Lakhs respectively.
The side looks incredibly tight on paper and looks like the CSK management have yet again found brilliant balance in their unit, which has been of paramount importance in the side’s exceptional track record.
How CSK fared last time:
Under the astute leadership of ‘Thala’ Dhoni, CSK picked up their fifth title in the 2023 edition with a thrilling last-ball win against Gujarat Titans at the incredible stadium in Ahmedabad in a rain-marred contest. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s final ball boundary to give the yellow army the title will reside in the memory of every CSK fan for years to come and the image of the skipper lifting the southpaw in the air is already an iconic image etched in the minds of every self-respecting Chennai fan.
The side from Tamil Nadu finished second in the league table earning a place in the first qualifier against table-toppers GT. Dhoni led his side straight into the summit clash of the event with a resounding win over Hardik Pandya’s men in a massive 15-run win before getting the better of the same side yet again in the final to hoist the trophy high up in the air.
Players to watch out for:
MS Dhoni: The main man has been synonymous with the side ever since the glorious association began all the way back in the year 2008 and the enigmatic captain represents everything pristine about the city and the side.
The man who has driven home the importance of trusting the process rather than results would like to take his beloved CSK to the top of the title count before stepping down and calling it a day.
The man who has won the crown for CSK five times will look to finish with a six, like he so often does.
Rachin Ravindra: The Kiwi all-rounder with roots in India was the talk of the town at the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup for his performance with both the willow and the leather.
The fact that Chennai weren’t pushed to the wire in pursuit of the southpaw still renders fans speechless and the supporters will look to seeing the left-hander help the CSK cause as so many of his compatriots have done over the years.
The fact that he’d be in the company of some quality Kiwis at Madras and under the stewardship of the legendary Stephen Fleming will further spike hopes for the 24-year-old tournament debut blinder.
Daryl Mitchell: The man the CSK management wanted at all costs ahead of the season, and successfully bagged by beating out stiff competition from the cash-rich owners of other sides.
The Kiwi is expected to provide a seamless transition for the team following the exit of Rayudu, who decided to hang up his boots following the thrilling title win last year and provide stability in the middle of the CSK batting order.
He has time and again proven why he is rated so highly by doing what he does best and will look to carry on with his natural game at the heart of the Chennai lineup.
Ravindra Jadeja: Arguably the best all-rounder in the world, Jadeja, is CSK’s prized possession. The man whom Dhoni has trusted to turn the tide of the game time after time has shone bright and contributed to the CSK title dream every time he has been on the pitch.
His match-winning late innings in the championships clash last year helped CSK edge out GT and lift the title for a record-levelling fifth time. He will look to continue delivering for the side from TN and give the skipper a farewell befitting his illustrious trophy-laden career.
Strongest Playing XI:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway/Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande/ Shardul Thakur
Full Squad:
MS Dhoni (C), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly.
CSK Schedule:
22 March: CSK vs RCB, Chennai
26 March: CSK vs GT, Chennai
31 March: DC vs CSK, Vizag
5 Aril: SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad
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