HomeChennai Super KingsIPL 2018: CSK's Gamble On Experienced Players Have Paid...

IPL 2018: CSK’s Gamble On Experienced Players Have Paid Off

- Advertisement -

Chennai Super Kings have given haters the medicine and a fitting reply to trolls on social media after earlier having been laughed at for selecting many players above the age of 30 in the Indian Premier League 2018 auction. Five games into the 11th edition of the season, the MS Dhoni-led side is second in the IPL table. The gamble on experienced players has certainly paid off.
Such is the strength of the CSK team that every game one of their star senior players have taken the mantle to deliver the goods. Most importantly four of these matches that have been thrillers, have seen experienced minds keeping calm in tense situations. In this format isn’t that an essential factor? Yes, it is! So credit to the Chennai think-tank for going the extra mile and selecting a side that boasts of some genuine match winners.
CSK have been the most consistent side in IPL in the eight seasons they had earlier played in and this time too it also looks like Dhoni’s army could go far and long. They have impressed fans and pundits in the commentary box alike and the ‘men in yellow’ have done well to peak to form right from the beginning.
So what’s been the reason and how have the senior men contributed? Let’s have a look at the same.

Call them old, but they are gold

Remember Dwayne Bravo’s 68 in the opener against Mumbai Indians? Shane Watson’s majestic 106 runs against the Royals? Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja’s presence of mind against Kolkata Konight Riders? Ambati Rayudu’s breezy 79 against the Sunrisers? These contributions have been like gold.
In difficult situations, Dwayne Bravo has delivered twice with the bat and then with the ball for Chennai Super Kings. The West Indian has been a pivotal force in the IPL since many years and he leads his country’s charge in this edition as well.
Veteran all-rounder Shane Watson has given the signal that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Besides the glaring ton, his six wickets have been a pleasing sight for Dhoni. Ravindra Jadeja has not been used much but has bowled well with his subtle variations and former MI batsman Ambati Rayudu has changed his outlook in a more aggressive manner.
Altogether when so many players contribute, a team is bound to be on the upper side.

- Advertisement -

Sparkling Raina

The southpaw made his return to the Indian side in the series against South Africa in T20Is in February and since then he hasn’t looked back. The veteran player, who is also IPL’s overall leading scorer is back to business for a franchise where he has excelled massively.
He missed out on the first two matches he played but in the last couple of games, fans saw the Raina they know. A busy cricketer, his heaves over mid-wicket and powerful lofted drives in the off-side have once again captured the imagination of fans.
His 112-run stand with Rayudu for the third wicket against SRH was a standout performance. CSK will need the flamboyant player to come good more often.

Dhoni’s captaincy a bonus

Dhoni has been a sheer gentleman helping out rival skipper such as R Ashwin (KXIP) with useful tips while playing against them. That’s MSD for you! The CSK skipper’s presence of mind and a cool head makes him so easy to the eye. Like analyzed earlier in CSK’s squad analysis, Dhoni is the fulcrum of the side and the management know he is in with providing something special.
Credit to Dhoni for that 79-run unbeaten inning against KXIP when he almost pulled out a stunning win. He battled back spasms and continued to fight it out on the pitch. He has instilled a lot of confidence and bond amongst the players and his decision making has been spot on.

Chahar, Billings the ones for the future

Deepak Chahar has been the find of the tournament and the pacer has repaid the faith to the captain and the management for letting him play freely. His 3/15 against SRH in the last game was a match-winning show. Besides Chahar, Englishman Sam Billings has looked promising too.
With the seniors most likely to make way in the next couple of years, Chennai Super Kings can build the side around the likes of Chahar and Billings. The message from MSD and the seniors would do these guys world of good.

- Advertisement -

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -