IPL 2018: Spinner the 8 teams are banking on

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

Once the most successful team in the IPL, the CSK will make a comeback this year after remaining suspended for two years. Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the CSK will be eager to win back the crown and their spinners could be a vital cog in the machine.

The CSK this year have taken an inclination towards spin bowling and the presence of names like Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja and South African Imran Tahir. New Zealander Michael Santner has been ruled out of the IPL and the team will have to rope in a replacement. The Turbanator has won the IPL title thrice with the Mumbai Indians while the skipper Dhoni has played in as many as seven finals.

This gives an idea of how much experience these two players have with them (along with the likes of Suresh Raina and Jadeja who were also party to the CSK’s glorious run in the past) and they can use it to guide the others in the squad to achieve the third title. Leggie Karn Sharma, who had a very good run in 2017 after drawing a blank in 2016, could also be handy for CSK as and when the need arises. Dhruv Shorey’s off-break would add to Dhoni’s options and not to mention veteran Raina’s off-breaks.

Pros: The combined tally of CSK’s spinners is 330 which says how much experience and skill that this team carries. Tahir though disappointed against India in the home series but he has been bowling well in the ongoing Pakistan Super League.

Cons: Harbhajan didn’t have a great run in 2016 and 2017 and age is certainly not on his side. It will also be interesting to see how the CSK management accommodates foreigners like Tahir and Santner.