If there's one thing the Chennai Super Kings management has always looked at, it's balance. No flash, no extravagant spending, but just getting a good group of players on board --- that has always been CSK's motto.
And that's the way they went about their business in the 2011 auction after winning the IPL last season. It was obvious that MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina would be retained, but the CSK management were judicious to hold Albie Morkel and M Vijay back.
The general perception was that they might go for somebody like Muttiah Muralitharan, who is a huge star in Chennai due to his Tamil connections, but the CSK authorities made it clear right away that they won't retain anybody unless they are sure of getting his services for three years.
The young Albie, despite his indifferent form for South Africa in recent times, has always been Dhoni's favourite due to his all-round skills and the team management is hoping that he will come good in this edition as well. There will be added responsibility for Albie with Ben Hilfenhaus being ruled out and a question mark over Doug Bollinger's participation due to injuries. Kiwi Tim Southee has already been roped in, but Albie, too, has to come to the party, as pace bowling is one department where CSK look a little thin on paper.
There's of course, Dwayne Bravo, in the squad as well, but he will join in after Windies' international commitments. The champions have lost senior pro L Balaji to Kolkata Knight Riders and will have to bank on Sudeep Tyagi to fill in the Indian pacer's quota.
The spin department, though, looks stronger with the country's best T20 bowler R Ashwin leading the pack. He is one bowler who can be used in the initial overs too and Dhoni will bank on him to deliver the goods. "I did well in the last IPL and the Champions League. World Cup was a huge high and now I am looking forward to this edition of the IPL...I hope I will be able to deliver the goods," Ashwin said.
Though CSK lost Muralitharan to Team Kochi, offie Suraj Randiv has been a great buy for the yellow brigade. "This is my first IPL. It will be great bowling with Ashwin...I don't see him as a competitor, I think the team will have space for both of us," Randiv said.
Batting, of course, is CSK's strength with the likes of Dhoni, Raina and Vijay leading the pack. Then there's Badrinath and Michael Hussey, too, will join later in the tournament.
The dash of MSD
Captain: MS Dhoni has been the inspirational leader for CSK over the last three years. The team lacked an icon, he provided it. He held the team together, he has excellent rapport with the management and the players stand by him.
Support staff: Stepehen Fleming has quietly done the job for CSK over the last three years. The buzz is he will become the India coach after the IPL and if that happens, it will have a lot do with the understanding he shares with Dhoni. He has assistant coach Steve Rixon to help him and now Andy Bichel as the bowling coach is also a welcome addition.
Key players:
Suresh Raina: The most consistent player for CSK over the last three years. He can be used both as an anchor as a hitter as well. Has led the side too in Dhoni's absence. A brilliant fielder and pretty much an asset for the team.
R Ashwin: Easily the best bowler of the team. Now that Muttiah Muralitharan is gone and the pace attack looks a little thin on paper, the onus will be on Ashwin to lead the attack. He bowls brilliantly with the new ball as well and on the tired Indian tracks.
Scott Styris: An experienced player who knows the ins and outs of the game. Can help the skipper with some valuable inputs. He is a big hitter and a shrewd thinker as well.
Squad: MS Dhoni, Srikkanth Anirudha, Ravichandran Ashwin, S Badrinath, Upul Tharanga, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Tim Southee, Michael Hussey, Shadab Jakati, Joginder Sharma, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Yo Mahesh, Albie Morkel, Abhinav Mukund, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Scott Styris, Sudeep Tyagi, Ganapathi Vignesh, M Vijay.
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