Mahindra Singh Dhoni (Mahi) is a myth in India. Originating from an ordinary background in Ranchi, Jharkhand Mahi became the cricket idol of India taking India to great heights in all forms of international cricket.
Chennai Super King (CSK) and Mahi is a synonym as the success of this IPL franchise is very much linked with him. After Mumbai Indians CSK is the most consistent performer. CSK won the championship three times in 2010,2011 and 2018. Owned by India Cements the team is coached by Kiwi maestro Stephen Fleming. The team served a two-year suspension starting July 2015 for the alleged involvement of its owners in the 2013 IPL betting incident. The team has highest percentage of match win (5.3%).
CSK also hold the record of the most appearance in the play offs (10) and appeared in the final eight times winning thrice. They also won the champions league Twenty 20 in 2010 and 2014. The brand value of CSK in 2019 was estimated at around Indian Rupee 732 Crores (about US$ 104 million). Dhonis days in Indian team is over. We are not sure whether he would stay with CSK beyond 2021. How he himself and his billion admirers would to see him sign off holding the IPL trophy one last time.
2021 is going to be 14th edition of IPL. Most of players who appeared in the first IPL in 2008 have retired. Some of the them are in their twilight years. CSK has retained the most number of cricketers who appeared for them in the first edition.
CSK Squad for VIVO IPL 14:
MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, N. Jagadeesan, Robin Uthappa, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Karn Sharma, R. Sai Kishore, Mitchell Santner, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, KM Asif.
CSK has the horses for the courses and has a dynamic captain in MSD who can smell victory and never lets it slip out of grasp. Robin Uthappa and Faf du Plessis can give flying start. Young Rutraj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayadu and Suresh Raina can consolidate. Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja can bat opposition out of match. Pace attack is in the safe hands of Ngidi, Hazzlewood and Shardul Thakur. Dwayne Bravo can chip in with few overs. Any tw o spinners from the rich resources Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma can be fall back upon. The squad of 2021 is looking good and great for going to the distance.
BDST: 1640 HRS, APR 08, 2021
SMS
