IPL 2024 is all set to start on March 22 with all teams set to test each other. And as usual defending champions Chennai Super Kings remain among favourites with MS Dhoni’s strategic acumen at display again.
However, MS Dhoni’s role individually is limited to an impact player, making some of the other players in the team key components in their aspirations to defend the title. MyKhel takes a look at three such names.
Ravindra Jadeja
The spinner allrounder who comes from Saurashtra, is a multifaceted player. Jadeja has played all formats across the countries for Team India. Jadeja has played 226 matches, scoring 2677 runs with 2 fifties, and picked 152 wickets.
His highest score was 62. Besides, Jadeja is one of the best fielders and a gigantic performer under pressure. The 36-year-old player has the capacity to change the game as he has hit 98 sixes and 192 boundaries in his IPL career. In May 2023, Ravindra Jadeja was acquired by the Chennai franchise with Rs 16 Cr.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad is one of the promising faces in cricket in India. Back in December 2018, the 27-year-old right-handed batter was acquired by CSK in the player auction for IPL 2019. His first cracking performance was IPL 2021.
Particularly on October 02, the opener scored a not-out century inning against the Rajasthan Royals after seasons of struggle. In that season he scored 635, which projects his credibility. Gaikwad has 1,797 IPL runs, including 14 fifties and a hundred with 135.52 strike-rate. This stylish batter has smashed 73 sixes since his debut season (2020).
Devon Conway
Devon Conway received New Zealand citizenship in 2020, the same year that CSK bought him with 1 Cr in IPL players’ auction. In his IPL career, he played 23 matches and scored 924 with 9 half-centuries. Conway has hit 30 sixes and 99 boundaries in his IPL career with his highest score of 92. Conway has special ability to handle match pressure which has increased his credibility in the Yellow Army.
Sumit Bhattacharya Mykhel
source: mykhel.com