IPL 2021: 5 Reasons Why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Can Win The Title This Year

IPL 2020 was a big surprise for the Chennai Super Kings fans as they saw their team not able to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the 13 seasons of IPL history. Led by the talisman MS Dhoni, the CSK decided to release six of its players ahead of the IPL Auction 2021 because of their poor performance.

Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Monu Singh, and Shane Watson will not be part of the CSK squad while IPL veteran Robin Uthappa has been traded from Royals to CSK. Krishnappa Gowtham and Moeen Ali were the most expensive buys for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL Auction 2021.

IPL 2021: 5 Reasons Why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Can Win The Title This Year:

5. Suresh Raina’s Return

Suresh Raina who missed out on the IPL 2020 citing personal reasons had made himself available for the IPL 2021 which will be the major positive for the CSK team. Raina has been CSK’s prolific run-scorer over the years and will play a big part if Chennai Super Kings has to make it big this year in the knockouts. His return will bolster the batting lineup and make a big impact on the team’s performance.

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Raina is an irreplaceable asset in the CSK team and his energy on the field is impeccable. He is one of the best fielders going around in the world right now and can roll his arm over when his captain needs him. He is the second-highest run-getter in the IPL overall with Virat Kohli leading the charts.

4. Presence Of MS Dhoni

The presence of MS Dhoni is a great advantage for any team to have and CSK are no different as the legendary batsman has won three titles for his franchise which is the second-most in history. He definitely is aware of how to win titles which will be key to them after a poor season last year.

His announcement from international cricket in 2020 was a major disappointment for the Indian fans as the 39-year-old has still a lot of cricket left in him. He can be a great mentor in the team and is one of the best when it comes to handling pressure.

3. Addition Of Off-Spinning All Rounders

K Gowtham was part of the Punjab Kings team for the 2020 IPL but played only two matches scoring 42 runs and could take only one wicket. He was released by the Punjab team ahead of the auction and CSK having lost the services of Harbhajan was in need of an off-spinner. Gowtham was bought for a whopping 9.25 crore in the auction and could be a great prospect with his hitting abilities down the order.

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Chennai Super Kings managed to pick up Moeen Ali in the auction which turned out to be one of the best buys as the English men can hit some lusty blows and his off-spinners can be handy in the Chennai pitches. With Watson having retired from the IPL, CSK can choose Moeen Ali as an opener who can tonk it.

2. Imran Tahir’s Match Winning Ability

Imran Tahir was benched on most part of the IPL last year as CSK needed the right balance in the absence of Suresh Raina and was affected the most due to the rule of playing only 4 overseas players in the playing XI. With Watson and Du Plessis at the top, Chennai Super Kings had to drop Imran Tahir to occupy Sam Curran and a foreign pacer in the team.

Tahir is most probably expected to play more games in the turning tracks at Chennai in IPL 2021 and he will be key to CSK’s success. Tahir is a match-winner every time he plays and has taken 80 wickets totally in 58 games in his IPL career at an economy of 7.83.

1. Dwayne Bravo Factor

Chennai Super Kings will be concerned about Dwayne’s Bravo’s injury which had a major impact in their last season. He played just 6 games last year and was ruled out of the tournament on the back of a groin injury. He is back in the West Indies T20 squad and is one of the best death bowlers in the world when it comes to T20 cricket.

He has played a big part in Chennai Super Kings title-winning campaigns in the past and with Sam Curran in the reckonings, Bravo will have to make sure that he is in his prime form.