IPL 2019: Do Chennai Super Kings have the team to defend their title this season?

Chennai Super Kings have always sorted out their team combinations well. Barring 2009 and 2014, CSK have made the final in every edition they have played. They are also the only team to successfully defend their IPL title, which they did in 2011 after being triumphant for the first time in 2010.

CSK have always preferred experience over flamboyance. Over the years, their squad has not looked the strongest on paper, but they have produced some inspired performances on the field. They are also currently the side which has the highest number of players aged over 30.

This year, they took the safe route in the auctions by adding a couple of weapons to their well-oiled artillery. It would be safe to say that they didn't want to disturb their winning combination. They have almost all the bases covered, and it would be interesting to see how the players fare in the forthcoming season.

Due to the general elections in India which will clash with the IPL, there is a strong possibility that the tournament will move to overseas shores for the first time since 2014.

Lets do a breakdown of CSK's squad and try to figure out if they have a winning combination to defend their IPL title.

Captain and wicket-keeper

MS Dhoni has been the first name on CSK's time-sheet ever since the IPL started way back in 2008. He has been a talismanic captain who has several titles to his name in the T20 circuit.

Dhoni is one of the most successful skippers in T20 history after having captained CSK for over 150 games including 7 finals.

His batting performances for the franchise have been special at times. Last year he had one of his best seasons, scoring 455 runs. But MSD's batting performances have been on the decline lately.

If the IPL moves to South Africa, he would be challenged on the fast and bouncy pitches and he may have to face a lot of short pitched stuff. It would be interesting to see if he can retain his form in 2019.

Batsmen

CSK have a formidable set of batsmen who can take the game away from the opposition in a jiffy. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu had a very successful opening combination last year, and would hope to continue that in 2019.

They also have Faf Du Plessis, the South African skipper who is an international star. And Suresh Raina has been the perennial number three for CSK right from 2008.

They have Sam Billings, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and the all-weather finisher Dhoni in the middle order.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is an unknown entity, but going by his numbers in List A cricket, it seems CSK have unearthed another IPL star.

CSK have a strong batting line-up, but since some of them don't play international cricket regularly, it would be an interesting scenario to see how they'll perform as a unit.

All-rounders

CSK have an army of great all-rounders. When you think of a quality all-rounder in T20 cricket, it would be hard to think beyond Shane Watson, who has been one of the top all-rounders in the modern era.

Then there is Dwayne Bravo, the "Champion" dancer who throws his bat during the death overs and bowls economical spells and ekes out a few wickets. If you add his electrifying fielding into the mix, he is a complete package.

CSK also have Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Mitchell Santner, David Willey and Suresh Raina, who can all bowl a few good overs and tonk a few sixes with the bat.

These guys provide great balance to the side and make CSK bat very deep, which has been one of the secrets to their success over the years.

Fast bowlers

CSK have a good mix of fast bowlers. One of their best moves during the 2018 auctions was the selection of Lungi Ngidi, the young tearaway South African quick. Ngidi was one of the top performers in the 2018 season, picking 11 wickets in 7 games.

There is also David Willey, who can swing the new ball and usually picks a wicket or two up front. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar are promising young Indian fast-bowlers who can bowl consistently over 140 kph. Thakur is being groomed by the experienced Dhoni during the death overs.

Mohit Sharma was picked up by CSK and that is a very smart move considering his skill with the old ball as well as the new ball. Monu Kumar from Jharkhand is a promising young bowler who has played with Dhoni before. Watson and Bravo will come in and do their usual stuff.

Even though CSK's bowling options looks good, the absence of a tearaway quick apart from Ngidi might haunt them in the death overs.

Spinners

Dhoni loves controlling the game through spinners, and always tries to ensure he has the best spinners in his team.

Harbhajan Singh and Imran Tahir are two world-class spinners in their ranks. Harbhajan is one of the most experienced cricketers around and bowls in the powerplay and also in the middle overs. Tahir, meanwhile, is a wicket-taker and bowls economical spells.

Ravindra Jadeja has been Dhoni's go-to man when it comes to stifling runs and breaking partnerships. Mitch Santner is a good T20 bowler who hardly leaks runs. Karn Sharma is there in the mix too, and provides another wrist-spin option.

Kedar Jadhav and Suresh Raina can bowl some useful overs and lend balance to the side.

CSK's spinners make a good case for them to be favorites again in IPL 2019.