After 3 matches, in which CSK won just one, the talk was whether the team management should play MS Dhoni merely as an impact sub (wicket-keeper) since his batting has become ineffective and he can't play for more than 2 or 3 overs owing to his age and physical condition.
But as it happens, ahead of the clash against Delhi Capitals at the Chepauk this afternoon all eyes are on Dhoni, who might step in as captain due to Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury concerns. That sure is an intriguing irony. Especially because, Dhoni is now deemed an uncapped player. An uncapped player leading a side has never happened before in the IPL.
But the final word is still not out, and the CSK management would be focusing on many of its other problem areas. Its batting and bowling have not clicked so far. Its recent loss to Rajasthan Royals highlighted weaknesses on both the fronts. At 43, Dhoni remains a cornerstone of CSK's strategy. While his batting performances this season have been mixed—scoring a quickfire 30 against RCB but struggling in other matches—his wicket keeping and tactical acumen continue to shine. If he takes over as captain today, his experience and ability to inspire the team could be crucial in navigating this challenging phase.
Rahul Tripathi at the top has barely inspired confidence. The foreign all-arounders Sam Curran and Jamie Overton too have not brought anything to the table yet. Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling too has been less than flattering. Ravindra Jadeja has not looked fluent either with the bat or ball. Only left-arm spinner Noor Ahmed and Rachin Ravindra at the top in batting have looked the part. Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda have not fired with the bat. If Gaikwad, who has looked okay with his batting, misses out, it will add to the team's woes. One more defeat will deflate the team.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, is unbeaten this season, with two convincing wins. Its balanced lineup and strong middle order make it a formidable opponent. CSK has historically dominated DC, winning 19 of their 30 encounters. At Chepauk, CSK's record is even stronger, with 7 wins in 9 matches. But with batsmen like Faf du Plessis and K L Rahul, who are no strangers to Chennai's condition, things are looking up for DC.
The Chepauk surface is spin-friendly, and DC has Kuldeep Yadav in its ranks. The form of Mitchell Starc and CSK's former pacer Mohit Sharma should also help DC. Its coach Hemang Bandani is also a Chennai product.
This match is not just about points but also about CSK's resurgence and Dhoni's potential return as captain. Can Thala rally his troops and lead CSK to victory, or will DC's unbeaten streak continue?
Probable Teams:
Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Player Options: Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran.
Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul (wk),Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, Axar Patel (c), Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Player Options: Ashutosh Sharma, Darshan Nalkande, T Natarajan, Karun Nair.