IPL 2024: With MS Dhoni as captain, CSK’s game plan is always simple and successful | Cricket | Top Vip News

Chennai Super Kings’ methods under MS Dhoni are quite simple, but their execution is so good that teams still cannot break their game plans – they have spin bowling to maximize home advantage and have experience. He has helped them become the most consistent franchise with five titles (level with the Mumbai Indians) and reaching knockouts in 12 of their 14 seasons.

With a good spin attack to exploit the playing surface and filling the team with good hitters against spin, they turn their home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium, into a fortress. Last year, of the eight matches played in Chennai, CSK won five, including the qualifier. In 2024, a similar dominance can be expected at home. The pitches are expected to catch and spin, and CSK have batsmen to do it well.

To augment their already balanced squad, they again made some smart selections in the auction, landing New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, who should fit well into their spin plans. Most of their batsmen are touch players. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane thrive with synchronized shots than power shots.

Shivam Dube is their designated hitter. Mitchell was brilliant against spin in the ICC World Cup with a hundred against India in the semi-final. CSK’s big auction pick among domestic players, Uttar Pradesh middle-order batsman Sameer Rizvi also has a good game against spin.

From last season’s winning team, they will miss injured opener Devon Conway, while Ambati Rayudu has retired. Instead of Conway, Ravindra is a ready option to open with Ruturaj. At number 3, they have either Rahane or Moeen Ali. Mitchell, Dube, Ravindra Jadeja and Rizvi are solid middle-order options.

In the lower order, the focus will be on Dhoni. Although CSK now look at him mainly to keep wicket and lead, Dhoni is still quite effective in the slog overs. Ranked 8-9, he played typically small, impactful innings last year. In less than 60 balls, he managed only 104 runs but at a strike rate of 182.46. Even if he is not batting well, CSK can always turn to an impact player.

Dhoni’s captaincy gives CSK an advantage because he knows the wickets across the country. Know the angles to set up fielders, which can be especially challenging at Chepauk due to its larger boundaries. Also, he uses the spinners very well to control the mid-ons. He knows who to use and when. For example, Jadeja bowls only after the powerplay. Dhoni should be happy with his spin options. Apart from Jadeja, there is Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana, Mitchell Santner and Ravindra.

CSK has a predictable formula, but it works. They don’t even change the batting order much. But this time, it remains to be seen how Dhoni uses Mitchell. With the four foreign players rule in place, it is likely to be a toss-up between Mustafizur Rahman and Mitchell.

RHYTHM ATTACK

CSK did great things with a very young pace attack last season where Tushar Deshpande (CSK’s leading bowler with 21 scalps) and Matheesha Pathirana (19 wickets) had a good season. Jadeja took 20 wickets.

This year, CSK has brought back all-rounder Shardul Thakur. Deepak Chahar and Mustafizur are also experienced activists. Pathirana is sidelined with a hamstring injury but left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary is back after missing last season due to injury.

Thakur and Chahar are effective batsmen, while Deshpande is also a useful player in the order, as demonstrated by his hundred for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final.

CSK’s strategy is simple: aim to win at least five out of seven home games and aim for three wins in all seven away games. Once they qualify for the play-offs, they will know how to handle the pressure of big games.