IPL 2019: 5 reasons why Chennai Super Kings can defend the title

The curtains on the most popular cricketing extravaganza have already been lifted and the wheels are already in motion, as eight teams lock horns to lay their hands on the elusive trophy of the 12th edition of Indian Premier League. This season, like all others, promises to be an even more glorious spectacle as compared to the previous ones, considering the quality of cricket on display with many more youngsters coming into the picture.

Among all the buzz about the tournament, one of the major talking points about it so far has been the question that whether Chennai Super Kings will be able to defend the title and retain the trophy. Last season, the Men in Yellow went on to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by eight wickets, with the mercurial Shane Watson destroying the rampant Sunrisers' bowling by scoring an unbeaten 115 runs.

Chennai Super Kings share the title of having won the IPL most number of times with their eternal rivals Mumbai Indians, both having won it thrice. Stats don't deny the fact that they are the most successful team in the history of the Indian Premier League as they have qualified for the finals in seven editions.

Chennai made a strong start to this year's IPL by crushing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opener with their bowlers making a statement. In addition to that, they also capitalized on their good start by defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the second match.

It is not going to be easy for the team this season as well, but they do have the potential to churn out wins out of nothing, backed by their immense fan base both in India and overseas. But there are very strong reasons why they will defend the title this season as they did back in 2011. Let us have a look at some of them.

#1. The X-factor of MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni's presence is a great bonus to the side (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been at the helm of the CSK franchise, donning the captain's position ever since the franchise's inception. He has performed superbly, both as a batsman/wicket-keeper and a captain. As a leader, he has nerves of steel and can bail his team out of the toughest situations possible.

There are a hundred reasons why Dhoni is one of the major pillars behind CSK's strength. For someone who has won everything the game has to offer, he has mastered the art of chasing games down and controlling the pace of the game according to his will. This was evident in the second match against Delhi Capitals when he had the bowlers by the scruff of their necks. On numerous occasions, he has shown that age can never be an issue if one has a strong desire to perform.

The most important thing that Dhoni brings to the team is the positive cricketing spirit and more than a decade of experience. Even at the age of 37, he is fast as lightning between the wickets and behind the stumps alike. He is one of the key factors why Chennai can win the title once again this year.

#2. A dependable batting lineup

Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu can blow oppositions to bits (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.com)

The one major highlight about the Men in Yellow since the first season of the IPL in 2008, has been the depth in their batting lineup. Filled with players who can go on a rampage when the need arises, the team looks as solid as ever this season as well.

Opening the batting are Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu. While nobody is alien to Watson's batting prowess when he goes berserk, Rayudu is always reliable enough and contributes a healthy amount of runs to the team total. Sam Billings possesses the capability to tear apart any bowling attack at will.

The presence of the almost indomitable Suresh Raina stabilizes the ship to a great extent. Kedhar Jadhav and MS Dhoni can blow any bowling attack in the world to bits with their explosive batting.

The all-rounders, Jadeja and Bravo can prove to be very handy towards the death overs and have proved that they can win matches all on their own.

This routine of players is the reason why CSK is considered by many as the forerunners in the race for the title.

#3. A competent bowling attack

The bowling attack of CSK tends to dominate over opposition (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.com)

Even though the bowling department of Chennai Super Kings doesn't possess too much pace and tooth in comparison to other teams of the tournament, they still have enough in their kitty to make a mockery of the opposition teams.

The spin sector is handled by Imran Tahir, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja. Tahir, the maestro from the plains of South Africa, is an expert at disrupting the rhythm of the opposition by taking up wickets in quick intervals.

Harbhajan Singh doesn't need any introduction though. The stalwart has spent enough years in the game to pull up a trick out his sleeve and surprise the batsman. Jadeja is one of the most reliable persons on the field for his captain, whenever his services are required.

The fast bowling department has Dwayne Bravo spearheading the attack along with Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar. Both of them show a lot of promise and on their day, they can easily terrorize batsmen with their deliveries.

Bravo is a veteran who possesses magical powers to change the game whenever he likes to.

#4. An unbreakable bond of unity in the team

CSK have been the most successful team in the history of IPL (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.com)

This agenda can't be skipped, can it be? The results are always a witness to how good a team the Chennai Super Kings are. The team has a lot of players who cannot be classified as young anymore, but they definitely bring tons of experience onto the table.

The core of the CSK team has remained the same over the years - Dhoni, Raina, du Plessis, Bravo and Jadeja, barring Ashwin who switched teams a season ago and is currently plying his trade for Kings XI Punjab. The newcomers like Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson, Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh have fitted in seamlessly into the team and now form vital cogs of the armada.

There is a unique bond between the team and this uplifts the team spirit. Moreover, the presence of personalities like Dhoni, Bravo and Watson helps to calm down the team ship whenever difficult times arise.

#5. The Dwayne Bravo effect

Dwayne 'The DJ' Bravo (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.com)

West Indian cricketers have an old affair with Indian cricket. When India won their first World Cup in 1983, they defeated the fearsome West Indies led by Sir Vivian Richards. Chris Gayle rose to prominence as the most dangerous batsman of the modern game by playing in the IPL.

Another cricketer who has had his own share of love stories with the IPL is Dwayne Bravo. The experienced medium pacer is one of the best in the modern game. His ability to take the pace off the ball works like magic on slow wickets.

Against Delhi Capitals, he wiped away three important batsmen in six balls with his multiple variations. Again, it was he who hit the winning runs as well.

He has been the Purple Cap winner on two editions of the IPL and has constantly been on the hunt for a third one in the last few editions as well. In addition to that, his unorthodox striking of the ball implies that he can hit yorkers or bouncers alike, over the boundary rope for a four or a six. He is the unique trump card that captain MS Dhoni loves to fiddle with.