IPL 2019: 3 things CSK should have in order to win the tournament

Indian Premier league 2019 is heading towards a conclusion. As usual Chennai Super Kings have made it to the playoffs. It just looks like a matter of time before the three-time IPL champions add fourth to their trophy cabinet.

The fact that CSK will play qualifiers instead of eliminator would give them some hope. In case if CSK loses a match they would get another opportunity to qualify for the finals. However, they cannot be complacent. The team has to give their best.

Winning the first qualifiers and getting straight to the finals is the best approach for CSK. The players are a bit aged and competing in three high-pressure matches would make them fatigued and minimize their chances of winning.

Under Dhoni's guidance, the team is big-time favorites to win the finals this year. All they need to do is to get their strategy right and give their best. These are the three things CSK should keep in mind during the remaining matches.

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#3 Exceptional bowling

Bowlers will play a key role (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

The bowling department of Chennai Super Kings looked solid throughout the group stage. They won some of their matches through good bowling performances. Thus, bowling is a key for CSK if they want to win the playoffs and finals.

Actually, Chennai's batting department is not what it was like in the previous season. Rayudu and Watson, who had been in a top-class form last season, are struggling to find form this year. Kedar Jadhav's performance is mediocre in the season.

Their all-time highest run scorer Suresh Raina wasn't being consistent in the initial stages of the tournament. Although Dhoni can bat and score crucial runs for them still there needs to be somebody who lays the groundwork for Dhoni to finish off the innings.

Thus, a lot depends on their bowling. They have the genius of MS Dhoni to use the bowlers well. However, the bowlers should keep in mind that the margin of error is to be very low.

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#2 Less dependence on MS Dhoni

Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

Dhoni's absence in a few games this season has proved that he is the most significant player in the side. The captain will play a crucial role in the playoffs and the finals. Concerned teams will be strategizing on how to minimize Dhoni's impact with the bat in their faceoff.

If the other players of CSK are complacent due to the MSD factor, then it will be hard for them to seize the trophy. Everyone should make sure to play their part well especially the batsmen. Just like the finals of last season, they should try to close their batting successfully even before MS Dhoni makes it to the crease.

At least they should do the maximum work that Dhoni would find it easy to add the necessary runs when he bats. If the team is depending on Dhoni to play an anchor role in batting, then they are doomed for sure. The likes of Rayudu, Raina, and Kedar Jadhav have to step up and get crucial runs. They should even try to stay till the end and close out the innings.

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#1 A backup plan if Watson fails early

Watson scored a century in the finals of IPL 2018 (Image Courtesy: BCCI/IPLT20.COM)

One of the main reasons for CSK to win the previous season is Shane Watson's batting form. Watson had been at his absolute best in the previous season. With 555 runs in 15 matches, Watson was the second top run scorer for the yellow army.

The century he scored in the finals against Sunrisers Hyderabad was decisive in Chennai's big win. However, this season Watson has had trouble in replicating the same form. He has scored just 258 runs in 14 matches with an average less than 19.

Watson has one ninety plus score this season. The team may expect him to repeat the same in the playoffs and the finals. Despite poor performances, they have completely backed him up. However, they shouldn't be over-reliant on him.

The other batsmen need to be ready to consolidate with runs if Watson falls early. Thus, they should be aware that their batting strategy shouldn't be centered on Watson like the finals of the previous season.

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