IPL 2023: SWOT Analysis of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

It doesn’t matter where Chennai Super Kings finished in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This year, the equation is different even when nine of their eleven players will be the same as the last edition. Why? It is because the Chepauk factor will once again be back this year.

There’s something about Chepauk and MS Dhoni, isn’t it? The skipper is very well accustomed to the conditions in Chennai and one can once again hope that the four-time champions will once again run after the crown. If not for anything else, then for their skipper maybe. After all, the entire city will be behind their Thala.

Meanwhile, after finishing ninth on the points table last year, CSK management spent a lot of time in the backroom and signed some top-quality talents including Ben Stokes, Sisanda Magala and India batter Ajinkya Rahane among many others.

The intention seems clear with these signings that they are not going to settle for anything less and fight for their fifth IPL title. Now, emotions aside, can they go the distance? Well, let’s figure it out through this SWOT analysis:

Strengths:

All-round brilliance

Chennai like every year have too many all round options leading into the upcoming edition too. In their top seven, they have four quality players in the form of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube, who can change the complexion of the match at any given point. 

All round prowess has been Dhoni’s biggest strength in the tournament as he always loves to have options in his hand. Now, out of these four, three of them have a lot of experience and that is going to help CSK a lot in the coming edition.

Top-drawer openers

Openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad will have all the freedom to express themselves at the top of the order. Conway is very consistent in the shortest format of the game and has scored 4649 runs in 140 T20 matches. He averages 43.44 with the willow and that is exceptional given the nature of the format.

His opening partner Gaikwad in the meantime had a decent season last time around but in 2021, he wreaked havoc with the bat at the top, scoring 635 runs in 15 matches. Thus, the 26-year-old definitely has got what it takes and he will not shy away from playing an aggressive brand of cricket, as the 26-year-old will eye to get into the national team for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

The Thala Factor

The biggest strength of Chennai Super Kings, isn’t it? What can one even say that everyone doesn’t already know! Dhoni seems to be in a really good physical shape and it might as well help him to wield his marauding bat and it will be an added advantage for Chennai as everyone already knows how tactically brilliant he is.

The Thala of Chennai has done it time and again and now, in his den in Chepauk, expect him to bring his A-game.

Weaknesses:

Forgot to shop for a death-over specialist

Since Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from IPL, CSK haven't had a death-over specialist. They have Ben Stokes and Deepak Chahar as options but none of them are known to get the job done. And on top of that, Stokes is likely to play as a specialist batter so that will also create a void. It is one area that the skipper needs to figure out ahead of the opening clash against Gujarat Titans on March 31.

Presence of too many anchors 

Now, there’s no doubt that players like Ambati Rayudu, Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni can be the game changers in any match. However, given the history, most of these players love to take some time in the middle before getting going. This can backfire if they will have a massive total in front of them. 

Opportunities:

Finish on a high

It is believed that this can very well be MS Dhoni’s last season in the Indian Premier League. The legendary skipper may announce his retirement at the end of the season and what better way to leave than winning the championship?

The 41-year-old currently has four IPL trophies to his name and with another one, he can retire as the joint-most successful leader in the history of the tournament. Currently, Rohit Sharma, with five trophies is at the top of the list.

Threats:

Injury-prone Deepak Chahar

The star pacer Deepak Chahar missed the last edition of the IPL because of injury and if he once again gets injured, CSK do not have a proper backup for him. Pacer Mukesh Chowdhary is already out injured and the franchise cannot afford to lose another one to injury. He has been replaced by another left-arm pacer in Akash Singh and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the upcoming season if he gets an opportunity.