JOIN USAfter last year's low, there is lot to gain for Chennai Super Kings
The return of Suresh Raina could boost the batting department but the spin-reliant Chennai Super Kings will have to adapt to conditions that may assist pacers as they seek to improve upon their nightmarish show of last season.
Three-time champions CSK had a flop show last season, avoiding the wooden spoon thanks to a few victories at the back end of the league phase as they failed to make the play-offs for the first time in the tournament's history.
Here is a look at what works and what doesn't for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team, which opens its campaign by taking on Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on April 10.
Strengths:
CSK have oodles of experience, which will stand them in good stead in crucial situations. The inspirational leadership of Dhoni is another advantage for the team. The return of Raina will strengthen the batting unit that faltered far too often in last year's IPL in the UAE.
A batting line-up of Raina, along with Faf du Plessis, Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, new recruit Moeen Ali and fast improving Ruturaj Gaikwad could prove a handful for rival bowling attacks and big scores could set the platform for the bowlers to do their job.
With the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Shardul Thakur, Curran and Deepak Chahar in the line-up, CSK have a decent bowling unit to test the best of batsmen in the opposition ranks.
Weaknesses:
A team comprising ageing stars proved to be CSK's undoing last season and they have stuck pretty much to the core squad. In the fast-paced world of T20s, senior stars could prove to be a handicap.
With some of the CSK players, including Dhoni, Raina, Rayudu and Tahir, having retired from international cricket and not playing domestic games, the lack of match time could hurt the team. That apart, the captain's waning finishing powers have not helped the team's cause.
Another blow for CSK is the last-minute decision of Australian pace ace Josh Hazlewood to pull out of the IPL to give himself rest ahead of a hectic international season. Also, Ravindra Jadeja is returning from a long injury break and it remains to be seen how much time he will take to get back to his best.
Veteran Trinidad all-rounder Dwayne Bravo's diminishing returns and injury problems would continue to worry CSK.
With this year's IPL matches to be played at neutral venues, CSK, who rely so much on spin, will have to alter their strategy. This is especially true in Mumbai where the wickets may have something for the pacers.
The spin bowling department has experienced and skilful operators but the think tank needs to get the combination right. Imran Tahir spent most of last season on the bench and the others - like Piyush Chawla and Karn Sharma - were ineffective.
Opportunities:
After a forgettable 2020 season where they finished seventh, things can only go north for Dhoni and his men. Known to be slow starters, the Super Kings will need to get their combination right and be at their best from the beginning to make an impact.
Threats:
The poor batting let CSK down badly last season in the UAE and if they don't rework their tactics, it could hamper their chances again.
The pace bowlers will need to step up big time if the three-time champions are to put up a good show. Or else, it will be another tough season for Dhoni and Co.
The CSK Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain & wicketkeeper), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Sam Curran, R Sai Kishore, Moeen Ali, K Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishanth.