New Delhi: When IPL is mentioned, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the first team that comes to mind for most fans. With five titles to their name, they are regarded as one of the most successful franchises in the history of the tournament and will be aiming for their sixth championship in the upcoming 2025 season.
The franchise made significant investments to address gaps in their squad during the mega auction. However, despite spending a considerable sum, CSK appears vulnerable on paper and may not be as formidable in the upcoming IPL season.
Here are 3 weaknesses which the team will carry in the next season and one is actually a very big issue:
3) A 43-year-old keeper MS Dhoni in the team
Don’t misunderstand me, MS Dhoni will always be regarded as one of the greatest players and captains in IPL history. However, at 43 years old, how will he manage to keep up with the high energy and intensity of the tournament?
Since he’s no longer the team captain, Dhoni’s role is primarily behind the stumps and batting. Although he still performs adequately behind the wickets, last season he came out to bat at number 8, which seems too low for a player of his calibre.
CSK has kept him in the squad out of loyalty, but they should have considered investing in a top-quality wicketkeeper as well. How much longer can Dhoni continue playing with a knee injury?
2) No designated finisher, pressure on Shivam Dube
For years, MS Dhoni has been the most reliable finisher for CSK, but in recent seasons, he has batted too low in order to make a significant impact. The responsibility of finishing games will likely fall on Shivam Dube, who typically bats at number 4 or 5.
This new role will put additional pressure on him, especially when he should be focusing on his natural game. Although CSK has Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup, there are doubts about whether they can count on him to finish innings with style. With a strike rate of just 129.72, this is a concerning factor for the franchise moving forward.
1) No quality death bowler apart from Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana is undoubtedly one of the finest death bowlers, but there are concerns about what might happen if he gets injured or is called up for national duty. In such scenarios, who will step in for him? The team has Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Choudhary, both of whom are more suited to bowling at the top of the order.
Another alternative is Nathan Ellis, who is a reliable slog-overs bowler and could serve as an emergency replacement. However, the Indian pace attack doesn’t inspire much confidence when it comes to death bowling, which remains a weak area for the team.
