All things CSK

So, the IPL mania is back again. With the sixth edition of the much revered and equally detested premier domestic cricket tournament about to commence amidst  seemingly unending controversies and a new title sponsor, this showpiece event sure promises a lot of action on-field besides its off-field theatrics.

Thus, it's naturally pertinent to focus on a team that has been the most consistent amongst all the franchises. And no marks for guessing, it is the yellow brigade-CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK). Having  made it to the finals thrice in the last three editions and been crowned champions twice, it's the only IPL team to hold this coveted honor.

So what is it that makes CSK the powerhouse, that it is ?? For the critiques of the league and CSK in particular, it has a lot to do with some key personnel at the top. CSK is owned by India cements, whose Vice-Chairman and Managing Director is Mr. N Srinivasan.  For those living under a rock, and I doubt especially in India (how ironic is that !!), he is the President of the BCCI.  Having the captain of the Indian cricket team, heading CSK pretty much works as a combination destined for unmatched success or so they say..

But is it really that easy as it is made out to be? A closer look at how things work at CSK, might give us a better understanding of the whole issue.

Captain M S Dhoni and Coach Stephen Fleming have consistently maintained  the core team of CSK throughout the IPL editions. Retaining their key players who consciously make an attempt to do well for their team has emerged as a pivotal reason for their unprecedented success. Also it's noteworthy to note that CSK has made it to the semifinals in each edition of the tournament not because they have the best players with them but because they have most of the bases covered in the team. With a clear objective of making  the optimum utilization of the players, every player in the team has a clear description of his role and that makes decision making easier. Their batting revolves around Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, who have been dependable and consistent in the past. In Bravo, Sir( Ravindra Jadeja, who else!!) and Morkel they have three all-rounders who can provide the balance for the team coupled with some of the best fielders in the game in Suresh Raina, Sir again, Badrinath, Michael Hussey and many more. However, it's the bowling that is the weak link, and at the risk of sounding cocky, it is arguably the reason why they have been able to win only two editions.

Having said that, success brings its own windfalls. The CSK players will be only too happy to shed light on this. Players who have played  for this particular franchise – the likes of Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, besides skipper Dhoni, and to a lesser extent Murali Vijay and Subramaniam Badrinath – have had a clear edge over others in the race to make it to the folds of Team India.

Add to it the likes of players who managed to represent the national team from obscurity - Sudeep Tyagi, Gony, Joginder Sharma, Wridhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel and one would be tempted to wonder if being a part of CSK is the ultimate ticket for donning the Indian colours.

That said, CSK have bolstered their weakish bowling attack by bringing in Dirk Nannes (Aus), Ben Laughlin (Aus),  Akila Dananjaya (SL), Jason Holder (WI) and Christopher Morris (SA) as their foreign recruits along with signing a string of unheralded Indian bowlers ahead of the sixth edition of IPL.

With seemingly all of their bases covered, CSK undoubtedly is the team to beat in IPL-6.