Defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be looking to continue their winning ways as they get ready to defend their title in the TATA IPL this season. CSK are just one title away from equalling Mumbai Indians’ record for most IPL titles of the Indian Premier League.
MS Dhoni will once again lead a well-set team that has most bases cover for the new season.
Last year they already achieve what they were looking for, to win their fourth IPL title, and will be eyeing another milestone as they look to make it a second successive season as the title winners.
Chennai Super Kings did what they are known for.
Keeping the faith and trying to rebuild the core of the starting XI.
Nine of the players sign by the defending champions were part of CSK last season and that ensures a great deal of continuity for MS Dhoni’s team.
But they fail to reclaim the experienced Faf du Plessis and Shardul Thakur, who had come along well as an allrounder in the past year.
Devon Conway is likely to replace Faf du Plessis. And Deepak Chahar, their costliest ever pick at the auction, might even be call upon to do more with the bat this season.
The management has also rope in the likes of Rajvardhan Hangargekar, which hints at their investment in youth.
This could be a positive move given that the teams are now moving towards a core strength phenomenon where they would want to retain the core of their team for a long period of time.
2YoDo’s Probable Playing XI of CSK
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad will look to continue his good form with the four-time IPL champs.
Last season’s purple cap winner, Ruturaj Gaikwad recently suffer a wrist injury but he’s likely to join the CSK camp in the coming days nonetheless.
Devon Conway
The New Zealand batter has struck 602 runs in 20 T20I matches, with a staggering strike rate of 50.17.
Devon Conway can be the perfect partner to Ruturaj Gaikwad, and together, they could form a deadly opening partnership.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has been a handy addition for CSK, since joining the franchise in 2021.
The Englishman has the ability to whack a few big hits, while he can also deliver his quota of four overs to give the team another spin option.
Robin Uthappa
CSK win the final last year with a handy contribution of 31 runs in 15 balls in last season’s final, Robin Uthappa will seek to cement his position in the playing XI this time around.
A batsman who can bat anywhere in the middle-order, Robin Uthappa could play a decent match winner’s role.
Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu has been a key player for Chennai Super Kings, since joining up with the franchise in 2018.
He can play a finisher’s role, and can also chip in as an anchor in case of a collapse.
Ambati Rayudu, veteran right-hander is a decent fielder, he can keep the wickets as well, all in all, Ambati Rayudu could be a key asset.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni will continue to lead CSK in hopes of winning a record-equalling fifth IPL title.
Despite his age, MS Dhoni remains one of the best wicket-keepers in IPL, and he can be the mentor who can lead CSK through their transitional phase.
As a captain, MS Dhoni has an envious record, and his presence will be of utmost importance for the defending champs.
Ravindra Jadeja
Chennai Super Kings’ top retention this year, Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best all-rounders in world cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja has score 2386 runs in 200 IPL games while amassing 127 wickets as well.
You have a complete package.
Since returning from injury, Ravindra Jadeja has been looking good for Team India also, which will please CSK a lot.
Shivam Dube
CSK seems to have found an almost like to like replacement for Shardul Thakur in Shivam Dube.
As Shivam Dube may have play fewer games than Shardul Thakur, Shivam Dube is a decent all-rounder who can bowl in the slog overs if need be.
Shivam Dube also can hit a few big shots, so he could be one of the youngsters to watch out for.
Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan’s addition could be a crucial call for CSK, who seem to have lost Deepak Chahar through injury, despite having INR 14 crore on the Indian pacer.
He offers a somewhat similar style of all-round ability, and if Chahar makes a miraculous recovery he can come in and replace the Englishman.
Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo has a key performer for the franchise down the years.
He can hit the big shots, he can bowl in the death overs, Dwayne Bravo is a great fielder, and with his wealth of experience in the T20 format, he can be the perfect mentor for all the young players in the dressing room.
Adam Milne
The Kiwis pacer may have been a tad bit expensive in the past, but with just nine IPL matches play, Adam Milne has a huge potential going forward.
Adam Milne can bowl at 150 clicks which is a handy option to have, particularly with Deepak Chahar ruled out through injury.
With 25 member Chennai team is bifurcated into categories of batters, bowlers, all-rounders and wicket-keepers, the least number of players apart from the wicket-keepers are in the batter’s column.
The master duo of Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni are known to do things differently and find a way to make them work.
Chennai Super Kings Squad
- MS Dhoni (C),
- Moeen Ali,
- Ravindra Jadeja,
- Ruturaj Gaikwad,
- Robin Uthappa,
- Dwayne Bravo,
- Ambati Rayudu,
- Deepak Chahar,
- KM Asif,
- Tushar Deshpande,
- Shivam Dube,
- Maheesh Theekshana,
- Rajvardhan Hangargekar,
- Simarjeet Singh,
- Devon Conway,
- Dwaine Pretorius,
- Mitchell Santner,
- Adam Milne,
- Subhranshu Senapati,
- Mukesh Choudhary,
- Prashant Solanki,
- C Hari Nishaanth,
- N Jagadeesan,
- Chris Jordan,
- K Bhagath Varma
