IPL 2021: 3 Key players who can help CSK to win fourth IPL Trophy

Chennai Super Kings have started their IPL 2021 campaign in wonderful style, as dominating as they have been in the years before the 2020 edition. After managing to win five out of their seven matches, CSK would be hoping to seal their playoff spot with just a couple of more wins. And there is hardly anyone who wouldn’t say that CSK has covered all the bases. 

The fact that they have actually covered all the bases is evident by seeing K Gowtham, who was bought for INR 9.25 crore ahead of the IPL 2021 and spent the whole first leg on the benches. In this piece, we will discuss who are the three key players who can help CSK win its fourth title.

3 Key players who can help CSK get their fourth IPL title

1. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja seems to be at one stage of his career where nothing seems to be going against him. He could probably walk on fire and not get hurt, given his exceptional performances in recent times. Something has drastically changed and whenever this phase ends (and we hope it never does), fans will look back and wonder ‘jeez, how good was Jadeja.’

Let’s talk some numbers to understand how good he really is. In the first phase of the IPL 2021, Jadeja scored 131 runs and got dismissed once in six innings. And he scored his runs with a strike rate of 161.72. On the bowling front, he picked up six wickets with an economy of 6.70. Yes, he has been ‘that good’ so far. 

His batting has been a different entity since the last two years but he is still delivering wonderfully well with the ball. In fact, one can even go as far as to say that his bowling in T20 cricket specifically has improved. Given all these, there is no doubt that Jadeja could be the most valuable asset for CSK which will lead them to their fourth title. 

2. Sam Curran

From one champion all-rounder to another up-and-coming one. Sam Curran has been one of those players who has been in the spotlight for his ability to deliver at crucial junctures in the team. Every successful team has players who can turn around the game and Curran is someone who has the ability to do just that. 

His performance in the IPL 2021 first phase was remarkable. In seven matches, he picked up nine wickets with a strike rate of 16. He has bowled the difficult overs and managed to keep the batsmen under his grip. With the bat as well, he has been impressive. Given the tall batting unit of the CSK team, Curran has not got the best of opportunities yet but has been impressive whenever he has come to the crease.

Even though he has made only 52 runs with the bat, the fact that he has scored those at a rate of 208, makes one wonder how talented is this young Surrey boy. What is even more exciting for CSK going into the second leg is the fact that he has already played an entire season there and was among the more successful players. 

3. Moeen Ali 

Moeen Ali is one of those blokes, whose cricket is structured in a way that they will find success in the Indian Premier League. This makes everyone think about what took so long (which is the same question Ali’s former IPL franchise should be asked). He is someone who can bowl in almost all parts of a T20 innings and is an incredibly good batter. 

When it comes to his batting, there are a few elements to it that make it look better than others. There is elegance obviously, but he has a knack for clearing the boundary as well. He is someone who has gained experience of batting in the T20 middle order with years of playing in different roles in the county T20 competitions. 

And if you may ask why he looks like a promising prospect for the second leg, let’s review his numbers in the first leg. 206 runs at an average of 34.33 and strike rate of 158. He has taken 5 wickets with an economy of 6.16 and a strike rate of 14. Bring on the UAE pitches and we might see Ali becoming a match-winner for CSK in the second leg.