The most consistent side in the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings, despite all the controversies and are ready to roar in this year’s IPL. They have started practising after all the necessary tests. Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh won’t play this season, and this is a big blow to them.
So what will be their probable playing 11? Let’s take a look:
You can read the starting XI for other teams, here in this section.
1. Shane Watson
Shane Watson will open for CSK. He has been one of the best players in IPL history and has been brilliant for the Chennai side. He had scored when CSK needed him the most. He has been inconsistent but has been backed by the team management, and he scored in both the finals (2018 & 2019). Watson is a very explosive batter and also has some experience in the UAE conditions. He will be vital for them this season. He scored 398 runs in 17 games last season.
2. Murali Vijay
Murli Vijay can open with Shane Watson this season. Vijay has been a good performer for CSK in the past. He scored a brilliant 95 and played a crucial role in CSK’s 2011 title-winning campaign. He was back in the side in 2018 after he was bought by the Delhi Capitals (“Daredevils”, at that time) in 2015. Vijay is an experienced player in the IPL with 2587 runs in 103 games. He has shown in the past that he is capable enough to succeed in the shortest format and will want to perform if he gets the chance this season.
3. Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu was exceptional for the Super Kings in the 2018 season. He was one of the leading players in CSK’s title triumph that season with 602 runs in 16 games. He had a poor season in 2019 where he scored 282 runs in 17 games. Rayudu is a good player of spin and can accelerate when needed. He can hold one end in case of a collapse. He can be perfect for the number 3 spot for CSK in the absence of Suresh Raina.
4. Faf du Plessis
Former Protea skipper Faf will bat at 4, in our XI. Faf has been a consistent performer for the CSK side and has won them many matches when he has got the chance to play. He scored 396 runs in 12 games last season. He plays spin well and can score with a high strike-rate in the middle overs and to go with that; he’s an excellent fielder. Faf batting at 4 provides them balance and forms a good top 4 for the men in yellow.
5. MS Dhoni (C & WK)
The heart and soul of CSK, skipper MS Dhoni will bat at 5. He has performed exceptionally well in the last two seasons, scoring 455 and 416 runs in 2018 and 2019 respectively. He can win games from any situation and is the backbone of CSK’s batting line-up. He is also very, very sharp behind the stumps. CSK’s chances will depend on how MS Dhoni the batter and the captain perform, and they’ll expect him to deliver as he has done every time in the past.
6. Kedar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav will be next. He is also going to play for a long time. His performances in the past few years haven’t been up to the mark at all, but he is a capable player. He has 1079 runs in 79 games, and he can hit the ball lower down the order. Fitness has been an issue for him throughout his career, and he’ll want to perform well and show everyone that he has still got it in him.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja will bat at 6. He has been inconsistent with the bat but is very handy lower down the order. He can hit the ball big when needed. He is very accurate with the ball in hand and has performed well as a bowler over the years for CSK. He scored 106 runs in 16 games and picked 15 wickets at an economy of 6.35. He is one of the best fielders and will be necessary for the Super Kings in all the three departments.
8. Dwayne Bravo
Champion DJ Bravo will come at 7 for Chennai. He is competent with the bat but isn’t the same as he was a few years back. He can still strike the ball later in the innings and is a very skilful bowler. Bravo has 1483 runs 134 games at a strike-rate of 128.28 and has also picked 147 wickets in 134 games. He is death over specialist, and his form will be very crucial for CSK this year.
9. Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar will the CSK pace attack. He was exceptional with the ball last season picking 22 wickets in 17 games. He can swing the ball both ways and can also bowl in the death overs. His job is to pick early wickets in the powerplay and build some pressure on the opposition early in the game. He will have some responsibility this season as he is expected to bowl more in the death overs. He is very handy with the bat too. He will be a crucial player for the Super Kings, and the management will expect him to do better.
10. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur will be the 2nd pacer in the side. He has good pace and hits the deck hard. He played 10 games and picked 18 wickets last season. He will most probably also bowl in the death overs. He’ll want to perform to his full potential and do well in this year’s IPL.
11. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir will lead the spin attack of the team. He was the purple cap winner in 2019, picking 26 wickets in 17 games. He is getting better with age. Tahir is a genuine wicket-taker and will be very crucial for CSK considering the conditions and the big grounds in UAE. He was the trump card for MS Dhoni last season and a good season is expected from him this time around.
This was our probable playing XI of CSK. They have plenty of options to try after Suresh Raina’s exit, but we expect them to go with this XI for the initial few games. We hope you guys enjoyed it.
