The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023 is set to be a special one for the Chennai Super Kings, as after a gap of three years, their loyal fans will get to witness their favourite team play at the Chepauk. This season could very well be the last for the team’s skipper, MS Dhoni. Despite being written off in the past, CSK has consistently surpassed expectations by defeating much younger and more star-studded teams, and their record of winning the league four times speaks for itself. However, with the ageing of Dhoni & Co., Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden is left wondering how to assess the seniority of the side.
Former Chennai Super Kings player, Matthew Hayden, expressed his thoughts on the team’s current status, stating that they have been labeled as a “Dad’s Army” for some time now. Hayden mentioned that this year is no different, speaking to Star Sports.
The Australian cricket legend raised concerns regarding the ages of MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu, stating that they must continue to be key players for the team rather than just potential leaders. Hayden emphasized that with the ageing nature of the CSK team, the fate of the team lies in the balance: “So, with those two key players in particular and the age of their side, will it be their experience or the decline of CSK?”
The Chennai Super Kings, who have won the Indian Premier League four times, had a disappointing 2022 season, finishing ninth in the ten-team tournament with only eight points. Ravindra Jadeja began the season as the captain but eventually stepped down due to the pressure of the job and the team’s poor form. MS Dhoni took over as captain again, but unfortunately, it was too late for CSK to turn their fortunes around.
For the upcoming season, it is expected that the Chennai Super Kings will maintain their established opening pair of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, followed by their recent high-value acquisition, Ben Stokes. Stokes’ inclusion adds a great deal of strength to the team’s batting line-up, and he can expect solid support from the experienced Ambati Rayudu at the number four position.
The Chennai Super Kings’ middle order is strengthened by the presence of three excellent all-round options in Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, and Ravindra Jadeja. With the guidance of captain MS Dhoni, the team is hoping to secure their fifth IPL title. Shivam Dube, who has demonstrated flashes of brilliance in the domestic circuit, will be looking to regain his form and deliver an impressive performance in the upcoming IPL season.
Although the Chennai Super Kings’ bowling department struggled in the previous season, the return of Deepak Chahar is anticipated to be a significant boost for the team. Mukesh Choudhary was one of the few bright spots in the team’s bowling during the 2022 season, and Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana is expected to lead the team’s spin attack once again.
