Chennai Super Kings up and running

Badrinath was speaking on the sidelines of a Star Sports show Game Plan ahead of the 11th edition of the VIVO IPL and named his preferred starting eleven for CSK. “My 11 would be Vijay, Watson, Raina, MS Dhoni, Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Mark Wood, Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja. 

I think Dhoni will push himself more up the order. Raina should come at three and there is a possibility of Dhoni batting at number four especially when playing in Chennai but outside he might play at five. I think we can see more of him once the power play finishes,” said the 37-year-old. 

Badrinath also lavished praise on all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. 

“He is a very versatile bowler… that’s the word that comes to my mind.  Many bowlers have changed pace and length but Bravo has the capability to vary the line as well. 

Especially playing in a place like Chennai where the side boundaries are huge and it’s not easy to hit the biggest of sixes so Bravo is the perfect kind of death bowler. He was never a death bowler before and after he came to Chennai he was made one and a lot of credit has to go to Dhoni,” added Badrinath. 

Another former India cricketer, Hemang Badani, was excited at the prospect of seeing the return of CSK after a gap of two years. 

“CSK has won the IPL twice and it has won the most matches in the IPL also. The fan following and the cricket culture out there is great. There is a different thrill in playing and watching a match at Chepauk,” remarked Badani.  

Skipper Dhoni, who had a hit on Thursday was joined by Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu among others at the training session.  Vijay, who expressed happiness at being back with CSK, spent time against the mix of local bowlers and the franchise’s recruits. 

Former India player Lakshmipathy Balaji, the bowling coach, was seen interacting with the team members. Former BCCI president N Srinivasan was present and interacted with Dhoni.