IPL 2020: 3 key overseas players for Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL. They won the title in 2010, 2011 and 2018, and were the runners up in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.

CSK are the only team in the IPL to qualify for the playoffs in all the seasons they have played. The consistency in their performances keeps ensures they are among the top favourites to win the title every year.

In IPL 2019 CSK lost to MI in a nail-biting final by one run. MS Dhoni was their leading run-scorer while Imran Tahir picked the most wickets for them.

This year CSK have retained most of their players, and they have bought Sam Curran, Piyush Chawla, Josh Hazlewood and R Sai Kishore in the auction. MS Dhoni will lead the side, and the coach is Stephen Fleming.

On that note, here’s a look at 3 key overseas players whose performance could be crucial for the CSK's journey in IPL 2020.

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#3 Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir won the purple cap in IPL 2019

The 40-year old Imran Tahir has retired from international cricket. But he is still a formidable presence in the T20 circuits across the globe.

Tahir won the Purple Cap in IPL 2019 with 26 wickets from 17 matches, and his bowling played a huge rule in CSK's campaign. He was also the leading wicket-taker in MSL 2019 with 17 wickets.

Also see – BBL Most Runs

In IPL, Tahir has represented Delhi Daredevils (2014-2016), Rising Pune Supergiant (2017) and Chennai Super Kings (2018-present). He has taken 79 wickets from 55 IPL matches at an average of 20.39.

Tahir is expected to be the key bowler for CSK this year too, and he will be hoping to continue his good form.

#2 Shane Watson

Shane Watson was the player of the tournament in 2008 and 2013

The 38-year old Shane Watson is undoubtedly the most successful all-rounder in the history of the IPL. He has single-handedly won many matches for his teams, the most remarkable being his 100 off 51 balls in the IPL 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In the IPL, Watson has represented Rajasthan Royals (2008-2015), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2016-2017) and Chennai Super Kings (2018-present) so far.

In 134 IPL matches, he has scored 3575 runs at an average of 31.08, striking at 139.53. He has also picked up 92 wickets in his IPL career.

Watson was the player of the tournament in the 2008 and 2013 seasons. In IPL 2019, he scored 398 runs from 17 matches.

However, he had a poor run in the BPL 2020, with just 93 runs from 7 innings.

Watson will be hoping to find his form back and make contributions with the bat in the top order. Watson is expected to open the batting for CSK along with Faf du Plessis.

#1 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo is the most reliable all-rounder for CSK

The 36-year-old Dwayne Bravo announced his retirement from international cricket in 2018, but he made a comeback to international T20 in the recently concluded series against Ireland and picked up 5 wickets from 3 matches.

Bravo is a powerful hitter who bats in the lower middle order, and is one of the best death over specialists around. He is undoubtedly the most reliable all-rounder for CSK, and has won many matches for the team with both bat and ball.

Bravo has been a part of the CSK team since 2011, although he represented Gujarat Lions in 2016. He has 147 wickets from 134 IPL matches and has scored 1483 runs at an average of 23.17 while striking at 128.28. He won the Purple Cap in 2013 and 2015.

However, in IPL 2019, Bravo managed to score only 80 runs and pick 11 wickets from 12 matches. He would be hoping to improve on those returns in 2020 as his form is crucial to the fortunes of his team.