IPL 2023: X-Factor of Chennai Super Kings

image-lf81tk4aX-Factor of Chennai Super Kings: IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The IPL 2023 is knocking at the doors and we are taking a deeper look into all the squads. The SWOT analysis of CSK has already been done by us. In this article we will take a look at the X-factor or the player who might turn out to be the differential co-efficient for the team in the tournament. 

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As always, CSK looks pretty balanced on paper. But they appeared to be pretty strong in the previous season also, yet the results didn't at all speak in their favour. So, we can't straight away state that the one paper balance will translate into on-field performances. Despite saying this, one major thing has to be kept in mind and that is  this time around CSK will be playing half of their matches at home in the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which was not the case in IPL 2022. 

The MS Dhoni-led side have always been heavily reliant on their spinners for their performances and they mostly deliver wickets that are tailor made for their bowlers. The same might be expected this season. Keeping this things in mind, I feel the biggest X-factor for CSK might turn out to be the Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana. 



Why Maheesh Theekshana?

The Sri Lankan mystery spinner has been very effective in this format of the game. The biggest plus point for Theekshana is his being a skiddy customer of the deck. Unlike most spinners, Theekshana prefers it to keep it mostly flat and stays very true to line and length. Also, his biggest weapon is apparently the 'carrom ball' which on most occasions holds its line and deceives the batter.

Besides the different type of variations that he brings into play, Theekshana is pretty cunning about the variation of pace. All these factors make him a great asset in the middle overs.



Maheesh Theekshana's T20 Career

Theekshana has played 99 T20 Matches in his career and has picked up 107 wickets in them. He has a very handy economy rate of 6.48. The biggest attention seeker is the number of deliveries and the runs that he concedes to pick up a wicket. Theekshana picks up a wicket every 21 deliveries while conceding about 23 runs. These are very healthy number in the middle-overs of a T20 Match. 

If we take a look at the IPL numbers of Theekshana, he has picked up 12 wickets in 9 matches. His average and strike rate are 21.75 and 17.50 in IPL respectively. The records do well give us a suggestion that this Sri Lankan mystery spinner might turn out to be force to reckon with in the upcoming IPL edition. 

X-Factor Score: Maheesh Theekshana

Powerplay Bowling Efficiency: 9.35
Middle-Over Bowling Efficiency: 9.23
Death-Overs Bowling Efficiency: 7.16

Bowling Efficiency Score: 25.76