Chennai Super Kings are returning to the IPL after a two year ‘hiatus’ and would be itching to get back to winning ways.
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The Chennai franchise is probably the most successful franchise in IPL history, having won the title twice and ending up as runners up on 4 occasions.
Also Read: CSK have almost decided Mitchell Santner’s replacement
The CSK think tank decided to retain the core of their side, with Dhoni, Raina, Jaddu, Bravo, du Plessis and Vijay being bought back by the franchise in their bid to win the IPL 2018.
And while the team looks solid on paper, having covered almost all its bases, it has received a lot of flak for having gone in for players who are aged above 30.
However, that shouldn’t bother CSK much, as they obviously had some thought process with respect to the players that they bid for, and have managed to assimilate a very good IPL team together.
Also Read: 5 Players who could replace Santner at CSK
CSK’s shrewd bidding could once again help them reach the summit of IPL.
Here are 4 players who could be the differentials for CSK:
1) Sam Billings
While Faf du Plessis is being touted as the go-to opener for CSK(along with Vijay), Sam Billings could prove to be a dark horse in the race to that opening spot.
And not just that, Billings can slot into the finisher’s role as well, if they indeed decide to go in with du Plessis up top.
Billings has been a regular member of the English T20 side as well, playing the finisher’s role there as he posseses the ability to not only manoeuvre the ball around but also use the long handle and tonk it all round the park.
Billings plied his trade with the Delhi Daredevils in the previous few seasons, scoring at a rate of 134.52 and with a good enough average of 22.6.
If used wisely, Billings could be the trump card for CSK in this IPL.
2) Kedar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav has emerged as India’s utility player in the last few years.With MS Dhoni losing out on some of his lower order hitting ability, Jadhav has beautifully slotted into that lower order role, with the ability to bat and bat through by coming in at number 4 as well.
A wiley old customer, Jadhav has provided India with something extra by carving out those low, very low, round-armed off spinners, one’s that guarantee Virat Kohli a wicket, every time he throws the ball to Jadhav. He is slowly turning into the man who is known for breaking partnerships.
And CSK have him, and should cherish him.
Jadhav is an experienced campaigner in the IPL, having an average of 23.5 and striking them at 134.89.
Jadhav hasn’t really bowled in the IPL but come in very handy at the Chepauk where the pitches are slow and sluggish and especially against teams that have a lot of left-handers in their middle order.
3) Harbhajan Singh
An IPL legend in his own respect, Harbhajan Singh could provide the oomph factor that this team needs.
A spinner who can bowl in the powerplay and at the death, Harbhajan Singh’s spin partnership with Jaddu would essentially decide CSK’s fate.
Bhajji has picked 127 wickets in the IPL at an average of 26.65, bowling at the ‘roads’ at the Wankhede. Give him that spin friendly surface the Chepauk and he’ll give you with at least a wicket and half in ever game.
And he has to more to him. When everyone fails, Harbhajan rises to the occasion, especially with the bat, where in on countless occasions he has just come in and smashed the bowlers during the later half of the innings, gifting Mumbai with a win.
He’s a leader, with a strong character, someone who can bind and inspire the team to go all the way.
4) Mark Wood
Mark Wood has just started off his International career but has made giant strides for the English national team in all three formats.
CSK were in need of a genuine quick, someone who could hit the bat hard in the initial few overs and lead the attack from the front. With Thakur and Bravo set to take up death bowling duties, the onus will be on Wood to get CSK off to a good start by getting some top order scalps.
Wood is a typical hit the deck bowler, who has an open chested action and can crank up the pace, bowling regularly at 140+.
Indian batsmen traditionally struggle against the rising ball and thus Wood could be of great use to the Chennai franchise.
He has picked up 8 wickets in his short T20 career of 4 matches, but has a brilliant average of 18 and gets his wickets at a strike rate of 10.88
