The Chennai Super Kings will be aiming for a spectacular hat-trick of titles in IPL-5. It's a predatory outfit that picks and chooses it moment to attack. It's also a clever side that responds to situations and creates difficult scenarios for the opposition.
Not surprisingly, CSK is the most successful IPL team; it has triumphed in the IPL twice, reached the final and the semifinal of the competition once each and also won the Champions League.
And it has a strong captain in M.S. Dhoni. His calm exterior, the ability to absorb pressure and tactical nous have ensured CSK's stay at the top. The captain remains one of the most potent finishers in the shorter formats of the game; he keeps his mind blank but gets the opposition bowlers to blink first at the death.
This said, the burden of expectations will be on CSK this time around. In how Dhoni's men cope with this stress, lies their biggest challenge.
Coach Stephen Fleming will surely chip in with his inputs. He will seek to drive home a sporting truth – winning is a habit and teams that do not fear defeat win more.
In the IPL territory, moves off the field – in the auction – can be as crucial as ones on it.
Having the reputation of a franchise that uses its money wisely, CSK's signing of left-arm spinning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for two million dollars surprised many.
While the jury is still out on the expensive buy, the CSK has its reasons for roping in Jadeja. On surfaces where the ball grips, Jadeja's brand of left-arm spin could be valuable for the side.
He could combine effectively with the versatile R. Ashwin in the middle overs to build pressure on the batting side. Although Shadab Jakati has turned in some useful displays for CSK overs the years, there was a feeling that he was becoming rather predictable.
Jadeja's ability with the bat and his fielding ability could also be assets to the team.
The CSK is a formidable force at Chepauk and the spinner-friendly conditions are once again likely to favour the host. Ashwin, with his ability to contain and strike at different stages of the innings, will be a key player. Sri Lankan off-spinner Suraj Randiv, who sent down some influential spells last season, will be around too.
Yet, batting remains the team's stronger flank. Murali Vijay, back after tending to a wrist injury in Australia, can be explosive in T20 cricket, both with conventional strokes and the ability to bludgeon the ball over the on-side field. Suresh Raina has a range of inventive strokes of power and finesse. S. Badrinath offers the side both solidity and enterprise.
Michael Hussey will miss the first seven matches due to his commitments for Australia but this will provide CSK with an opportunity to field a new opening partner for Vijay. Abhinav Mukund and Anirudha Srikkanth will be in the fray.
Albie Morkel's big hitting can dent the opposition morale while his pace bowling – he has a handy yorker – can still make an impact. Left-armer Doug Bollinger's incision and accuracy can pose searching questions to the batsmen. When Ben Hilfenhuas joins the side following the Australian tour of the West Indies, his right-arm swing could complement Bollinger's methods. CSK also expects much from the home pacemen such as the tall and rejuvenated Sudip Tyagi.
The spirit in the camp reflects the bonding in CSK. Belief is a key attribute.
Come April 4, CSK, the big cat, will be on the prowl again.
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