The Defending Champion Chennai Super Kings won record levelling 5th title with a thrilling last-ball victory over Gujarat Titans in the finals played last year. They would start the tournament against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 22nd March 2024.
They have been dealt a major blow as star opener Devon Conway has been ruled out until May. CSK decided to buy Daryl Mitchell for Rs 14 Crore, Shardul Thakur for 4 Crore, Rachin Ravindra for 1.8 Crore, Sameer Rizvi for 8.40 Crore, Bangladesh pace bowler Musfitzur Rahman for 2 Crore, Avinash Aravalli for 20 Lakhs.
CSK decided to retain the core players including Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, and other players who performed well in last year’s edition.
SWOT Analysis of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024:
Strengths
Chennai Super Kings has a strong batting unit with the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite Conway not being there in the squad, Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell could be a major threat to other teams which can create pressure with their aggressive batting.
Apart from good quality batting, they have bowlers who can use the conditions including Matheesha Pathirana, Mahesh Theekshana, Ravindra Jadeja, and Deepak Chahar with their abilities to trouble the opponent.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s ability to lead the team and his valuable experience leading Chennai Super Kings to 5 titles will be of great help this season.
Weakness
Chennai Super Kings have a few concerns going into the tournament. They lack quality backup pacers including Tushar Deshpande while Shardul Thakur could be expensive if the regular bowlers go for runs in the first six overs.
CSK could face a struggle if early wickets fall in the first six overs. The spinners would struggle on pitches that would be batting paradise, and Jadeja and Co would be challenged which would help opponents.
Opportunities
Rachin Ravindra would be playing his first IPL tournament with CSK. His performances in the 2023 World Cup were successful which showed class and helped New Zealand qualify for the semi-finals.
A strong performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League would see him to be a genuine leader after MS Dhoni’s retirement in the future.
Threats
MS Dhoni’s fitness was a major problem in last year’s IPL. He had knee surgery after IPL 2023 and would be a serious threat. If he could not play to his potential this season, then Chennai Super Kings would find it tough as Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad lacks leadership skills.
Expectations
Chennai Super Kings has good quality strength in their batting and bowling department which could help them to qualify for playoff stage. The defending CSK would look to showcase their domination with all-round efforts.
Full Squad
MS Dhoni (c), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avanish Rao Aravelly.
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