Led by the charismatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings will be hoping to go one better after finishing as IPL runners-up last year after signing up Andrew Flintoff.

The Super Kings began the last edition with four straight wins, with much of that initial success due to solid batting performances from Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey.

The Australians were available for only the first four matches – and once they returned home for national duty, the team’s performance fell drastically.

However, Dhoni’s Midas touch as captain never deserted him. Lusty batting from Suresh Raina and Parthiv Patel helped the Super Kings romp into the final, where they proved second-best against the Rajasthan Royals.

The Chennai team’s preference for all-rounders saw them snare Andrew Flintoff at the auction in Goa.

The Super Kings will be without the services of Hussey, and New Zealand’s Jacob Oram has declared himself a doubtful starter.

But with the now-retired Hayden available for the entire duration and South Africans Albie Morkel and Makhaya Ntini in prime form, the team cannot be written off.

Sri Lankan fast bowler Thilan Thushara was roped in to shore up an attack which would revolve around Morkel, Ntini and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Stephen Fleming, the Super Kings’ coach and player, complements the team.
Source – cricket365.com