Chennai Super Kings have renewed focus as they look to regain the glory pre-2020 ahead of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Follow Us
The year 2020 was a disaster for Chennai Super Kings. For the first time in their history, they did not reach the playoffs. The squad was struck by the coronavirus pandemic. Before IPL 2020, there was chaos. In the tournament, the momentum was lost. Towards the end, Chennai Super Kings played like the side that had won three IPL titles. It is this momentum that will hold them in good stead heading into IPL 2021. MS Dhoni’s team were considered the marquee side of the IPL. However, in the last eight years, that has been stripped away slowly and clinically.
Chennai Super Kings have three titles, but Mumbai Indians have gone ahead and won five. More importantly, Chennai Super Kings have been IPL’s favorite bridesmaid. 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019 suggest that Chennai Super Kings fail to deliver the killer punch in the finals. 2020 represented the lowest ebb, in addition to the five finals losses.
Now, in IPL 2021, Chennai Super Kings will be aiming to overcome the pain of 2020. MS Dhoni and his team will once again set out on the path to redemption and lost glory.
In the past, Chennai Super Kings have utilized the best out of the players. The composition of the squad was assured. Dhoni himself stated that he knew the players and their capabilities and worked within that in their title triumph of 2018. Even with Dad’s Army, they still managed to win.
However, all that changed in IPL 2020. Uncertainty in the squad as well as teams working out Dad’s Army players resulted in Chennai Super Kings finishing in seventh position. In IPL 2021, the quest for lost glory must begin with new blood. The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad have shown that they are the future of the franchise.
With Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Sam Curran and Narayan Jagadeesan all young, Chennai Super Kings must invest in plenty of youth power if they have to start their mission.
At the same time, Chennai Super Kings have plenty of experienced hands. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Robin Uthappa, Dwayne Bravo and Imran Tahir have tremendous experience. With five youngsters and six experienced players, Chennai Super Kings have the perfect mixture of young and old blending together. In IPL 2020, this mixture was lacking. Injuries and unavailability of key players also played a role in Chennai Super Kings’ downfall.
However, if all of them gel as a unit, then the three-time champions can give any side a run for their money. At the start of the second decade, Chennai Super Kings won their second consecutive IPL title in 2011. 10 years later, Dhoni’s Yellow Brigade would be aiming for a repeat. The process will be tougher, but a combination of youth and experience can do wonders.
