With a strong line-up, reinforced by the addition of Flintoff and Hayden, Superkings start as favourites under the captaincy of Dhoni.
That the Superkings under Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not win the title in the first year was a real surprise. A power packed team with all the necessary ingredients that makes for a gourmet T-20 dish, they have been reinforced by the addition of Andrew Flintoff, arguably the best all rounder in world cricket, and also by the retirement of Matthew Hayden. Hayden's availability for the full competition is expected to serve as a major fillip for the Superkings more because a fresh and fit Hayden will surely have a few critics to answer to. He will be keen to prove that he was good enough for one more Ashes, extra incentive that might turn nightmarish for most sides in the tournament.
In skipper Dhoni, record is evidence, the Superkings have the finest captain of the IPL. With a near all win record in Test matches for India, and an astonishing batting average and success rate in the 50-and 20-over format, Dhoni has captured the nation's imagination in a way not many has done before. His ability to absorb pressure and get the best out of his side in trying conditions has made India the stand out team in 2008 and also in early 2009 and certainly the team to beat as they step out to defend their T-20 title in England in June this year. In fact, it wouldn't be a far cry to assert that the Superkings thanks to Dhoni will go into the second IPL believing they can win the title they had so narrowly missed won in 2008.
A scroll down the team list shows that Chennai is a side for all conditions and adversities. In Makhaya Ntini, Jacob Oram and Andrew Flintoff, they now have three of the world's top fast bowlers. Perhaps the only concern about Oram and Flintoff is their fitness. Whether or not Flintoff is able to consistently bowl incisive spells with venom remains questionable. On form, Freddie is still one of the best exponents of quality swing bowling and Ntini and Oram two of the most potent T-20 bowlers. If the pace bowlers have an off day, Dhoni has the luxury of thrusting the ball to the ageless and tireless Muthiah Muralitharan, who now has more than 1,200 international wickets in his kitty. Murali, who had an average IPL one, will be every bit keen to set the records straight.
In batting, Hayden and Parthiv will be followed by Michael Hussey, who, performances in South Africa prove, is back in form. And with Dhoni himself capable of batting almost anywhere in the order, Chennai is raring for the action to begin.
Finally, the bench strength of the Superkings contributes much to making the argument that together with the Mumbai Indians they start favourites ahead of season two. Waiting for their turn in the dressing room will be Abhinav Mukund and J. Arun Karthik, both top performers for Tamil Nadu in India's domestic one day limited overs competition, which they won convincingly defeating Bengal in the final. Laxmipathy Balaji, back in the Indian team, has already shown glimpses of his match winning touch in the four day version of the Ranji trophy allowing Chennai a comfortable lead up into the tournament.
Assured of solid support in South Africa which boasts of a solid Tamil diaspora, IPL down South promises to be exciting. A win will surely complete Dhoni's honeymoon with captaincy.
