IPL 2020 team profiles: Chennai Super Kings key players, fixtures and predictions

MS Dhoni's team have faced a number of obstacles in the lead-up to the tournament

Chennai Super Kings' Shane Watson almost won them the title last year in a nail-biting final against Mumbai Indians. AFP

Faf du Plessis should bat at the top of the order for Chennai Super Kings. AP

Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to bat at No.3 in the absence of Suresh Raina. Courtesy: Twitter

Ambati Rayudu will be backbone of Chennai's batting. AFP

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has now retired from international cricket. AP

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo, centre, is still going strong. AFP

Ravindra Jadeja will have more responsibility this year in the absence of Raina. Pawan Singh / The National

Deepak Chahar, second from right, is the pace spearhead of the attack. AP

Shardul Thakur will be sharing the new ball. AFP

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla is an IPL veteran. AFP

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been brilliant for Chennai. Getty

Chennai Super Kings

Based: Dubai

Last season: Runners up

Best finish: Champions in 2010, 2011, 2018

Coach: Stephen Fleming

Captain: MS Dhoni. The next couple of months were due to be the great captain’s international swansong. Then the T20 World Cup was postponed, and he said goodbye in absentia instead. It will be interesting to see what impact the Covid-enforced break from cricket will have had on his ageing limbs.

Key man: Shane Watson

The Australian all-rounder will be 40 on his next birthday, but is not the oldest in the CSK squad. He has twice been player of the tournament in the IPL, and was man of the match in the final when CSK reclaimed the title two years ago.

Big miss: Where to start?

Chennai do not know what it is like to play the IPL without Suresh Raina. Until now, he has missed just one match in their history. But a family tragedy contributed to him returning home before this tournament has started. CSK will also be without their spin-bowling ace Harbhajan Singh, who has not travelled.

Verdict

CSK are the most consistent high achievers in the IPL. They have not finished outside of the playoff positions in the 12 seasons to date. On average, they finish second in the league.

Fair to say, things have been sent to test them ahead of this campaign. By rights, their chances should have been harpooned by any one of the issues they have faced. A Covid-19 outbreak within their contingent. The withdrawal of two star players – Raina and Harbhajan. The late start to training. And the team owner terming cricketers “prima donnas”.

But captain Dhoni has never been one to stress unduly, and, having just brought the curtain down on his international career, he is probably unlikely to start now. Between him and coach Fleming, CSK are in the safest hands.

Fixtures

1. Match 1, Saturday, September 19, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings

2. Match 4, Tuesday, September 22, 6pm, Sharjah - Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings

3. Match 7, Friday, September 25, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Capitals

4. Match 14, Friday, October 2, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad

5. Match 18, Sunday, October 4, 6pm, Dubai – Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings

6. Match 21, Wednesday, October 7, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings

7. Match 25, Saturday, October 10, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore

8. Match 29, Tuesday, October 13, 6pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings

9. Match 34, Saturday, October 17, 6pm, Sharjah – Delhi Capitals v Chennai Super Kings

10. Match 37, Monday, October 19, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals

11. Match 41, Friday, October 23, 6pm, Sharjah – Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians

12. Match 44, Sunday, October 25, 2pm, Dubai – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings

13. Match 49, Thursday, October 29, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders

14. Match 53, Sunday, November 1, 2pm, Abu Dhabi – Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab