“Well, you’ve decided this is my last.” These are the happiest words any true cricket fan could hear, and undoubtedly one of the most heartwarming moments in this year’s IPL. CSK, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has been fantastic yet again this season, finding their best playing XI very early. Despite losing in the first game, CSK qualified for the final.
The Chennai Super Kings had a disappointing season last year, finishing ninth in the IPL 2022 points standings. However, they are back to their best. CSK have stuck to its strategy of retaining recognized players while grooming young guns. Matheesha Pathiraana is their season-long find and the solution to their protracted search for a death bowler. But are they the best TATA IPL squad this season? No. The Gujarat Titans are the best team this season, but only CSK can challenge the Titans for the title. MSD’s groomed Hardik Pandya is currently the only thing between MSD and the IPL trophy.
Gujarat have identified their finest team, and the defending champions are eager to win their second IPL title. Can MSD outwit his pupil? It’s time for the master and the apprentice to compete for the throne. Here are three reasons CSK will win their fifth IPL title by defeating the strongest team in the IPL 2023.
1. Core performance
They built their team around Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, and Dhoni after a disastrous season in 2022. Apart from Rayudu, everyone has been doing well thus far. The batters have been firing on all cylinders this season, with Gaikwad, Conway, and Dube leading. Moeen has one Man of the Match award, while Jadeja has three. Everyone has contributed crucial runs and game-changing efforts. They are not completely reliant on anyone and have considered alternative methods of victory. When a team discovers new winners, they flourish.
2 Venues for the final
We’ve seen high-scoring games in Ahmedabad, and Chennai is the team with the most 200s overall and 50s in the powerplay. Playing against an in-form CSK at the Narendra Modi stadium will not be easy for the home franchise.
3. MS Dhoni’s captaincy
If we were to compare teams man to man, we would find it hard to differentiate the teams in terms of individuals. It is always a matter of coming together and combining as a whole. Even then, if you find nothing to separate the two teams, the one thing that would stand in between them would be their leader. Yes, you are right. MS Dhoni is arguably the greatest captain ever, and coming up against him would take some sheer toughness and wittiness. The teams’ captains could wither it away, but cricket is 90% a mental game. Owing to his sheer amount of achievements and experience, it would take a lot more than just the personnel—a fairytale farewell on the horizon.