IPL 2019: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) preview, likely starting XI: Chennai rely on experience again to win fourth title

Chennai Super Kings went against everything the wider cricket-watching public deemed correct the last year – they bought back the core of the team, but the experts said the team was too old. However, the experts knew very little, Chennai proved. Spurred by emotion, familiarity, and a whole lot of experience, Chennai surged to their third IPL title.

And they are primed for their fourth. But can they do it again? They are still largely the same squad – the 30-year-old Mohit Sharma was their only addition at the auctions – and so, the questions will largely be the same. Will age deter them? Will they run out of gas?

They had the emotion behind them last time – the team was obviously buoyed by being back together, back under the Chennai banner, and that played some role in their impressive surge to the title. This time, that factor would have dimmed a bit. Chennai are the only side to successfully defend the IPL time. The question is, can they do it again?

Chennai are one of the favourites, irrespective of whether this is an aged squad or not. It’s a team with a passionate fan base – the numbers that attended their practice match and cheered for Dhoni was outstanding – and home form will be massive for the team in the league stages. They have the experience. Do they have the legs?

Players to watch

MS Dhoni: Chennai’s captain fantastic is the heart and soul of Chennai. Something about playing for the franchise brings out the best in him – he sparked to form last year, breaking a run of lean form – and more of the same is expected from the India legend. More than the batting, it’s his captaincy and astute reading of the game that will be crucial for Chennai. He might well be the first captain win four IPL titles.

Lungi Ngidi: In a team of oldies, young Lungi Ngidi brings raw pace and bounce. The South African paceman contributed 11 crucial wickets in seven matches last year. In a team lacking a renowned Indian paceman – Mohit Sharma’s acquisition only addresses it so much – Ngidi will be charged with the responsibility of taking wickets in the Powerplay and squeezing runs at the death. Dhoni will use him well.

Shane Watson: The Australian all-rounder will turn 38 in a few months, but he was Player of the Match in the final last year, after he scored his century. He comes into the tournament on the back of excellent form in the PSL as well – he was adjudged Player of the Tournament – and it seems he is relishing his role as a T20 gun for hire. If needed, he can bowl as well, and Dhoni will surely use that to skill where he can.

Squad: MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, M Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Billings, Mitchell Santner, David Willey, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Karn Sharma, Dhruv Shorey, N Jagadeesan, Shardul Thakur, Monu Kumar, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Mohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Likely XI: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohit Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Chahar.

Prediction

Chennai have the pedigree and the experience to win the trophy. They are the only team to win it twice in a row. But can they repeat that feat? Maybe not. They are an oldies unit, all said, and they might just fall short at the final hurdle.