IPL 2023: This will probably be Dhoni's last IPL
special things
Indian Premier League starting from Friday
Dhoni's last tournament could be
Chennai clash with Gujarat in the first match
New Delhi:
Among the ten teams of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023), fans have an emotional bond with Chennai Super Kings and the most important reason for this is captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The 41-year-old Dhoni has led the team to four titles and taken them to the finals nine times.
His mere presence is enough to terrorize the opposing camp.
This might be his last season as a professional cricketer and he would like to leave no stone unturned to make it memorable.
The IPL has now returned to the 'Home and Away' format and Chennai have to play seven matches at their stronghold Chepauk.
Ravindra Jadeja was handed over the captaincy of the Chennai team, which failed to reach the play-offs last season, but later Dhoni was made the captain again, after which there was a big controversy.
However, it would be foolish to take Chennai lightly in the IPL and this season is no different.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes is now in the team who can prove to be the X factor.
Let's know the special things of the team
SPECIAL STORIES:
Jadeja joins A+ category along with Rohit and Virat, these players left out of BCCI Central Contract List
Know the strengths of CSK:
Chennai's power hitting will be strengthened by the presence of Ben Stokes.
On the slow pitch of Chepauk, he can bowl one or two brilliant overs which can turn the tide of the match.
Ravindra Jadeja and Moin Ali can also prove to be very effective in seven home matches at Chepauk.
Devon Conway and Rituraj Gaikwad will be useful in batting, while Ambati Rayudu, Stokes, Dhoni and Jadeja will strengthen the middle order.
This is the weakness of the team:
Mukesh Chaudhary is out of the tournament due to injury which is a big blow for CSK.
Deepak Chahar is making a comeback after a long time after recovering from back and hamstring injuries.
His fitness could not be tested in match conditions.
He is a contender for a place in the World Cup team and would like to perform brilliantly in the IPL.
There is an opportunity for:
In fast bowling, M Pathirana, who has action like young Simarjeet and Lasith Malinga, will have a chance to prove his worth.
Dhoni specializes in testing talent and knows how to use the rule of 'Impact Player' very well.
In such a situation, Mitchell Santner will also be useful.
The danger lurking here:
The biggest challenge before CSK is the aging of its players.
Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane can come under pressure in high scoring matches.
Apart from this, the team also does not have good Indian spinners.
Jadeja has not been able to perform that well in T20 recently.
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