After a stupendous IPL in 2021, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a miserable 2022 season, where for the second time in the T-20 league they could not make it to the playoffs. To make it worse, they had a leadership change mid-way through the season, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni had to take over the captaincy from a clueless Ravindra Jadeja. So, today, we will go through the two foreign players who could help CSK avoid another embarrassment like the one they suffered in the previous season.
Ben Stokes
When Chennai decided to let go of Sam Curran and opt for Ben Stokes several wondered whether it was the right move or not. But looking at the long-term prospects of CSK, it turned out to be a masterstroke. Ben Stokes is not only an ideal player in the T-20 format but also good captaincy material. At 41, Dhoni cannot continue to lead the side for too long and Stokes could be the right candidate to take the legacy of the former Team India captain forward. Of course, 920 runs from 43 IPL appearances is not exactly a flattering record but under the able guidance of Dhoni the Englishman could easily bring his A-game to the fore for the Chennai team. Also, Stokes’s match-winning knocks for England in the past, the 2019 World Cup Final and the Ashes decider in 2019, are an indication that he could be an asset to the CSK in the future.
Moeen Ali
A relatively new entrant to the CSK fold, Moeen Ali’s all-round abilities can be very useful for the Chennai team in the upcoming season. After leaving RCB in 2021, he has played 25 games for CSK, scoring 601 runs at a robust strike rate of 137. This apart, he has picked up 14 wickets playing for the Chennai franchise with his right-arm off-break bowling. He can be used as a floater too in the CSK squad, as he can use the long handle to good effect when it matters the most. Also, he has the ability to pick up crucial wickets with astonishing deliveries. So, the English all-rounder could be another key player to help CSK regain their supremacy in the IPL.
