CHENNAI SUPER KINGS - IPL 2011

Chennai Super Kings

The Best team so far in IPL history did a good job in retaining their Best players and going for most of their former player such that as much as 10 of their starting XI had earlier played for CSK. This gives them a big advantage of having their Team Ethic and understanding as before since other sides need to build the ethos back.

Captain

M.S.Dhoni will probably lead the side and in him they have one of the Coolest and shrewd brains in Cricket now. Being Indian skipper, his knowledge on local pitches and influence he has could be of huge value.

Openers

Their Opening is perfect with Vijay and one of Anirudhha or Mukund or Vignesh. In Vijay they have a proven IPL performer and he ‘ld cherish playing at docile pitches having been made to look sober in SA tracks. Here Vignesh can be made his opening partner. ICL showcased how terrific he is and with Vijay he can form perfect combo. Mukund is his form of life and Anirudhha with his father’s charisma can also be effective. Maybe Chennai can play him in Lower order as finisher and well he showed he is capable of doing it in CL T20 and IPL 3.

Middle Order

Coming to Middle Order, its here they hold a sure edge. In Dhoni and Raina they have two sure starters of Team India and Badri has showed his abilities as excellent accumulator even in format that he is not at home. With three slots being held by Indians, they can make Hussey bat as Overseas player and well there is no need to speak on his abilities. His availability for the year is almost full and that’s huge positive for CSK. Here Styris or Bravo can both bat in middle order as well as Hussey and make a vast difference too.

Wicket Keeper

With Dhoni taking Keeping duties as well, they may try Saha if Dhoni is injured or may bring him in for Badri.

Allrounders

Coming to Allrounder slot, Albie holds it with clear edge. His hard hitting and opening the bowling is huge plus for CSK. He serves as Two in One here. If he is out of form, CSK has Bravo and Styris to choose from. Both are proven performers in International arena in Limited overs format. With both being able to bowl full quota of 4 overs and bat big, CSK’s batting looks majestic. One also can bring in De Plessis who from what was seen on his debut, would be effective as well.

Spinners

Next is Spin. Perhaps they have two of most exciting spinners of World now. Ashwin the trump card for Dhoni in IPL 3 with his Carrom balls and Offies can bamboozle the batsman and his partnership with Bollinger as last year in Power plays will be crucial. He can also  chip in some useful shots with the bat. Jakathi has been another effective Super King and he ll be one this time too. If CSK choose to go with 3 spinners as they did last year, having lost Murali to Kochi, Chennai has best replacement one can get. Here is Randhiv the man who replaced the Mastero in Lankan side itself. Again Randhiv-Ashwin-Jakathi partnership will be highly crucial in Chennai’s progress this time.

Fast Bowlers

Finally on to Pacers, Balaji’s lack can be little dangerous but here in Bollinger and Albie they have two effective pacers and tyagi can back up to certain extent. Also they may bring in Kulasekara, one of the most effective limited overs bowlers so that their bowling is extremely effective with Bolly – Albie – Kula. In case of backing they rightly have Hilfenhaus who is First choice Aussie Test player.

Overall they have a well balanced and settled squad with a efficient skipper and utility players. Must go through to Semis easily.

Likely XI

Vijay – Vignesh – Raina – Dhoni – Hussey – Badrinath – A.Morkel – N.Kulasekara -.Ashwin – S.Jakathi – D.Bollinger