CSK aim for happy homecoming and a fitting Dhoni finale

The hot and humid air of Chennai has a palpable sense of anticipation. Chepauk, with its new canopies, shiny bucket seats and a gigantic Dhoni mural, is ready for the long-awaited reunion. In the overriding narrative this season of teams playing at their home ground again, no other side will be happier. The venue was their citadel even four seasons ago when they last played there, only breached by the eventual champions.

Chennai's anticipation could be accompanied by overwhelming emotions at the prospect of the man painted beautifully across the big mural playing his final season. CSK have the added motivation of bringing down the curtains on his illustrious time with the franchise by adding another glory-filled chapter to it. Dhoni's CSK legacy perhaps stretches beyond the titles won, but to win another would mean walking off having put the team on par with their trophy nemesis, Mumbai Indians.

On the back of last year's form and an imbalanced squad, title talk could seem outlandish heading into the season. But for a side often indulging in the outlandish, there are no tables that a happy homecoming can't dramatically flip around.

Where they finished last year: Ninth

What did they try to address in the mini-auction?

Not much. They went in needing a certified death bowler having conceded at 11.46 runs an over in that phase in IPL 2022, but came away with no such acquisitions. Ben Stokes was thoroughly fought for and prised away at 16.25 Cr and Kyle Jamieson was bagged at 1 Cr, but neither are notable for death-bowling pedigree.

CSK also snapped up Ajinkya Rahane at a time when his T20 stature is dwindling at best. He could yet serve as a smart back-up option for Ambati Rayudu in the top-order.

Player to watch: Maheesh Theekshana

The Sri Lankan, with his offspin and deceptive, fast carrom balls, will enjoy life at Chepauk and offer Dhoni the control he yearns for with the ball. He has already shown a glimpse of how good he can be in last year's IPL, and picked seven wickets in as many games in the SA20 this year. While wickets in the PowerPlay have been the wily spinner's biggest strength, he also doubles up as a death bowler - a department that CSK are incredibly thin in.

Injuries and availability:

Jamieson was ruled out due to stress fractures to his back that needed surgery. CSK brought in South Africa's Sisanda Magala, who incidentally solves the problem that the team couldn't address in the auction - death bowling. Additionally, Magala can also swing for the fences with conviction lower down the order.

Among other misses, there's uncertainty over when left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary will be available to feature. He is currently at the NCA in Bangalore undergoing rehabilitation for a back injury. CSK will also be without Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana for their first three games of the season, as they're away in New Zealand fulfilling national team commitment until April 8.

With Deepak Chahar only coming back from his long injury layoff and Simarjeet Singh being in just his second season, CSK could look to use the impact player rule to add bowling cushion. Tushar Deshpande comes with loads of domestic experience, and could be brought on from the bench. The impressive U19 star Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who is yet to make his CSK debut, is an all round option who could work as a substitute too. Against right-hander heavy sides, CSK could pack in an extra spinner, particularly at Chepauk, with leggie Prashant Solanki.

IPL 2023 TEAM PREVIEW

Defending champions Gujarat Titans look to build on reputation

Outlook:

The reigning champions will have the added advantage of playing their home games at a venue that must hold sweet memories already. The venue could hold additional advantage if they stick to their strength, which has been the ability to chase down games. In the last season they won eight of the nine games they chased, which matches with the overall record at the stadium (5-2 in favour of teams chasing).

While the unit looks tightly composed overall, GT had the advantage of running with the momentum with some key players, the likes of Wriddhiman Saha and Rahul Tewatia, hitting top form with the bat which enabled them to get on the right side of several close finishes. GT would be guarding against the law of averages catching up at some point. And for that, they'd require their bowling strength to carry on as well as they have in the previous season.

It remains Hardik Pandya's biggest advantage to possess an attack that is capable of challenging oppositions on various fronts. That aside, many of their key players are coming into the season on the back of good form, which should hold them in great stead if they are to play to the reputation they've built for themselves now.

Where they finished last year: Title winners

What did they try to address in the mini-auction?

One of the requirements for the Gujarat Titans heading into the mini auction was that of a top-order batter and they managed to plug that gap by bagging Kane Williamson at base price. His poor returns in the previous season notwithstanding, Williamson comes into this season on the back of good form, albeit in a different format. They've also addressed the option of having back-up overseas fast bowling options with the inclusions of Josh Little and Odean Smith. They also picked Shivam Mavi, who made his T20I debut for India as well earlier this year.

Player to watch:

Shubman Gill - The opener has risen to become a three-format starter for India over the last year and comes into the tournament having levelled up as a player. The form guide (6 tons and 10 fifties in white-ball cricket since 2022) suggests that he would be one of the batters to watch out for not only in the team, but in the tournament as a whole.

Injuries and availability:

Joshua Little, if picked for the two series that Ireland play during the IPL season, could be missing in action till April 28. David Miller will feature for South Africa until April 2.

Possible XI and potential Impact Player tactic:

With the likelihood of starting with four foreigners, who would be integral to their plans across various stages of the game - A top-order batter, a finisher in the middle order, a T20 all-time great in Rashid Khan, and a death overs bowler in Joseph - GT is unlikely to exploit the tactic of naming just three foreigners in their starting eleven. The likes of Jayant Yadav could be used as a match-up option while Yash Dayal brings about a left-arm seam angle, and additionally, two of the many batting options that GT have could be used to bolster that facet of their game.