CLT20 Team analysis:Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings are one of the most consistent performers in the Indian Premier League. But, they failed to quaify for 2009 Champions League. Unlike other IPL teams, they got tough draw in group A. They need to beat strong teams like Victoria Bushrangers and Chevrolet Warriors to advance to the Semi-finals which is not an easy task.

Group A teams: Chennai Super Kings, Victoria Bushrangers, Chevrolet Warriors, Wayamba Elevens & Central Districts Stags.

Schedule of CLT20 matches: Vs Central Districts Stags (September 11), Vs Wayamaba (September 15), Vs Victoria (September 18) & Vs Warriors (September 22),

CLT20 team rating: 9/10

CLT20 history: They qualified for 2008 Champions League which was cancelled. They failed to qualify for 2009 Champions League.

Qualification for 2010 CLT20 tournament: Champions of the 2010 Indian Premier League. They defeated Mumbai Indians in the final.

Chennai Super Kings CLT20 team:

Coach: Stephen Fleming

Captain & Wicket-keeper: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Batsmen: Mathew Hayden, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, S. Badrinath, Michael Hussey & Anirudha Srikkanth

All-rounders: Albie Morkel.

Bowlers: Doug Bollinger, Muttiah Muralidharan, R. Ashwin, L. Balaji, Shadab Jakati, Thilan Thushara & Joginder Sharma.

Significant events: Jacob Oram opted to play for Central Districts stags. Andrew Flintoff is not available due to injury.

Chennai Super Kings team analysis:

Strengths:

1. Captaincy: M.S. Dhoni is one of the dynamic and cool captains who is among the best in Twenty cricket. He is the best wicket-keeper T20 batsman in the world.

2. Spinners: Best spinning due (Muralidharan & Ashwin). Ashwin bowled well in IPL 2009 which was held in South Africa.

3. Best fast bowler: Chennai was in trouble in IPL 2010 till mid-tournament. Doug Bollinger came and changed fortunes of the team. In my opinion, he is the best T20 fast bowler along with Dirk Nannes, Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga.

4. Terrific batsmen: Mathew Hayden, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni & Suresh Raina can destroy any bowling attack. Albie Morkel on South African pitches is an useful all-rounder.

5. Suresh Raina: He played exceptionally well in 2009 IPL (both as a batsmen and a bowler) in South Africa. He may repeat that performance.

6. Chennai reached semi-finals in 2009 IPL in South Africa. So, playerd have experience. Dhoni has fond memories of winning the T20 cricket world in South Africa.

Weaknesses:

1. Inconsistent batting: Hayden and Murali Vijay are not playing consistently which may create pressure on stable performers like Suresh Raina, Michael Hussey & MS Dhoni.

2. All-rounder: Only one all-rounder is avaialble – Albie Morkel. Unavailability of Albie Morkel & Andrew Flintoff is a big blow.

3. Other bowlers. I don’t have confidence on the fringe bowlers of Chennai Superkings.

4. Tough group: Chennai is a good team but Victoria and Warriors are not easy opponents.

Chennai Super Kings Squad rating: 9/10

CLT20 Prediction for Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings will face stiff competition from Victoria and Warriors for the semi-final berth. Too much dependence on Doug Bollinger and Muralidharan may make or break Chennai prosects. R. Ashwin bowled well in 2010 IPL.