CLT20 2014: SWOT analysis of Chennai Super Kings

Since the inaugural season of IPL in 2008 and CLT20 the following year, the two high profile competitions have seen plenty of eye-catching action, iconic moments and momorable thrillers, throwing the cricket crazy people into jubilious celebrations.Even with all the intense cricket action and changing times as the global tournament enters its 6th year, there is one constant figure in the scheme of things – CHENNAI SUPER KINGS. Only Mumbai Indians come anywhere near in matching the winning percentage of MS Dhoni’s men. Let us have a look at the chances of the most consistant T20 team of the IPL in this edition of CLT20 to be held in India.Fixtures:Sep 17: v Kolkata Knight Riders, HyderabadSep 22: v Dolphins, BengaluruSep 25: v TBD, BengaluruSep 28: v Perth Scorchers, Bengaluru

#1 Strengths

There is a lot to write under this category as they have the most dependable and stable batting line-up, if not the most destructive of all teams and an equally capable bowling unit. As with the modern cricketing norms, they also have a few world class fielders to convert those half chances and a proactive skipper in Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

For a team that has so much depth in squad that even the highest run-scorer in T20s – Brendon McCullum, is not a guaranteed starter, tells how strong the batting order is. Notably, Faf du Plessis will be high on confidence after breaking the record for most runs in a triangular ODI tournament in Zimbabwe. Suresh Raina and Dhoni can turn matches on their own.

Despite Ben Hilfenhaus and Ishwar Pandey having had a decent last season, Dhoni has time and again mentioned that absence of the West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as the weak link. With him back in the team setup, the Kings resemble a complete, well-polished unit. The Trinidadian can contribute with both bat and ball and most importantly, takes care of the death bowling with his medium pacers to good effect.