IPL 2024: Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will defend the title under MS Dhoni in the IPL 2024. The team’s supporters will be excited to witness their majestic captain take the field again. After the sensational performance in 2023, the Yellow Army will be one of the favourites to win the distinguished trophy again.

CSK spent INR 30.40 crore in the 2024 IPL auction held in Dubai and got match-winning players Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shardul Thakur. They also fetched domestic names Avanish Rao Aravelly and Sameer Rizvi at the business event. Rizvi, who has been serving Uttar Pradesh since 2020 in the domestic circuit, got picked up for a huge amount of INR 8.40 crore. With the conclusion of the 2024 auction, let’s do the SWOT analysis of the defending champions.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Strengths Analysis 2024

Aggressive top order:

CSK have batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, and Shivam Dube in their top order. In their fifth title win, their openers Gaikwad and Conway played a vital role with their bats. In 2024, they will be expected to showcase their batting mettle again for the team. Dube, who is known for hammering bowlers from the word go, will look to do big in the yellow jersey.

Exceptional all-rounders:

Super Kings have illustrious all-round names Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Rachin Ravindra, and Shardul Thakur. Jadeja has been serving the team efficiently since 2012 while Moeen has been a part of the CSK squad since 2021 and he has also done fabulous work in the team. 

Shardul will look forward to donning CSK’s jersey again after three years. Super Kings have also got New Zealand’s young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who looked stunning in the 2023 World Cup. Skipper Dhoni will look to utilise the all-round prowess of these players in the team’s favour.

Phenomenal spin attack:

Ravindra Jadeja led CSK’s spin attack splendidly in 2023. He bagged 20 wickets in 16 games at an economy at an economy of 7.56 and ended up as the second-leading wicket-taker for the side in the season. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, teams require turners who can take advantage of the surface. Jadeja has done his job diligently for the Yellow Army in these 12 years. 

With Jadeja’s availability in the team, Mitchell Santner didn’t get a lot of chances in the last two years but his performance proves that he is the best backup spinner for the side in Jadeja’s unavailability. Rachin has also become a part of the team in the auction and with his addition, CSK have three left-arm orthodox bowlers in the side.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Weaknesses Analysis 2024

The absence of experienced international pacers in the team:

CSK don’t have any veteran speedster who can bowl in crunch situations. Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar exuded confidence with the ball in the previous season but the team will need someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who can tie batters’ hands in death overs.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Opportunities Analysis 2024

MS Dhoni’s Midas touch:

MS Dhoni will be seen leading CSK for another season and this time, supporters will want their dearest skipper to make Chennai the most successful side of the cash-rich league. The 42-year-old hasn’t scored big runs in the last four seasons but the team management has shown faith in his exceptional leadership talent. 

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Threats Analysis 2024

MS Dhoni’s quiet bat:

Dhoni’s leadership helped Super Kings to win the title for the fifth time in 2023 but as a batter, he is struggling to make decent contributions to the team. The veteran’s horrendous form with the bat could’ve cost CSK  in the 2023 IPL final. Playing the massive contest, the star player got dismissed on a duck when Chennai were required 23 off just 13. Dhoni’s struggle with the bat isn’t a good sign for Chennai’s title defence in 2024.

Also check: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Team SWOT Analysis 2024