CSK, the gold that might not glitter in 2020?

Is IPL 2020 over already for the CSK? After 13 of their team staff, that includes one of their premier bowler, Deepak Chahar, contracting the COVID-19 virus, Suresh Raina too decided to return to India, for no clear reasons yet, and even though the team didn't seek a replacement for him and he's been showing willingness lately to play the tournament, it's still not clear if he'll be seen playing the tournament or not. And a couple of days back, Harbhajan Singh too announced he won't be playing the tournament this year for his personal reasons. 

So the debate is on in the sports fraternity whether the CSK might have their worst season of their IPL history this time around. Honestly, the franchise does look at the crossroads of many an uncertainties and dilemmas of their playing 11, especially after they have agreed to play the season opener against Mumbai on 19th. But I believe it's too early to write off CSK even before the tournament has started based on the current status of their franchise. Why so, you may ask, so here are the reasons for my belief in this team.

Their skipper MS' form, both as a batsman and the captain would be crucial behind CSK's performance in the tournament. He is known to help his team rise from the ashes (2007 T20 World Cup right after the disastrous 2007 ODI World Cup, 2008 Commonwealth Bank ODI series right after the disappointing test series, 2018 IPL following a two years ban, and many more) and leave all the speculations and negativities behind and silent the critics with the on-field performance. He himself has been under the radar on multiple occasions for his batting form and he was able to prove his critics wrong with his performances. So he remains the most important factor behind CSK's IPL 2020 story. 

UAE pitches are known to be spin friendly and the franchise would definitely miss the services of the Turbanator whose replacement the franchise might consider to look for. But the form of Imran Tahir in the ongoing Carribean Premier League must be giving them a lot of confidence right now as he would featuring in the playing 11 in most of their matches, if not all. They would be having a lot of expectations from Karn Sharma and Piyush Chawla as well but still like I mentioned, they would be considering opting for a replacement of Bhajji, to get another off spinner in his place.

MS' backing of Jadeja has been crucial in him becoming a very important player for the Indian team in all the three formats, especially recently when he's been phenomenally consistent with both bat and ball. And being a spinner, a live wire in the field and a more than handy batsman in the middle overs, he is definitely very important for the franchise this time around, probably more than ever.

The trio of most experienced guys in the team, Shane Watson, Faff Du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo are definitely very important for the franchise and they have on multiple occasions proved their importance helping the team cross the line single handedly in many close encounters over the years. This year too, the trio needs to bring in their experience and class into their game and help Chennai win those close matches whenever needed.

I was never going to exclude Raina from this article for he's one of the major reasons of the team's success over the years but it still remains to be seen whether or not he would be seen playing the tournament. Currently, it looks difficult that he would be featuring in a few early games even if he returns back to the UAE within a day or two because of quarantine protocols but CSK would be hoping to have him back in the squad soon. In case, he doesn't go back for this year, it would be tough for the team without him, but like I've mentioned earlier, it would become crucial for the other key players to bring out their best throughout the tournament and make Raina's absence not felt for too long.

So in my opinion, the team is definitely capable to surprise us with their performance this year too and make it to the playoffs for the least, it's just becomes very important for them to believe that they can make that happen.

And being the most experienced and consistent team of the tournament, one can expect them to make their fans roar in pride with their performance throughout the tournament.

I look forward to seeing MS back on the field after a long time and I know so are you (why would you read till here otherwise?).

Start the whistles!