Chennai Super Kings is undoubtedly the most consistent team in the history of IPL. MS Dhoni has led the side to 3 titles and helped them reach the playoffs on all the editions the team has been part of.
CSK made a phenomenal comeback in the 2018 edition of IPL. Dhoni and Boys went onto the win the tournament after beating SRH in the final. CSK is one side who doesn’t believe in too many changing and chopping in the playing eleven.
However, ahead of IPL 2020, the side struck with two huge blows. Their two senior players, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh have pulled out of IPL 2020, citing personal reasons. It will be interesting to see who replaces them in the playing eleven.
In this article, we have listed our ideal playing XI for CSK in IPL:
- Openers: Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson, Rayudu at three
For the last couple of years, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis have made invaluable contributions to CSK in the batting department. With Raina not playing this year, Du Plessis and Watson should have great IPL seasons if Chennai Super Kings fancy their chances this year.
CSK are likely to send Ambati Rayudu at number three. He has retired from international cricket and had an ordinary season last year. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the upcoming edition.
2. Middle-order: Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni
Kedar Jadhav is likely to play at number four and MS Dhoni at five. Both haven’t played any international match since the 2019 World Cup. While MS Dhoni has called it a day from international cricket, Jadhav will have a hard time to make a comeback in the international team.
3. All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo
Chennai Super Kings bought Sam Curran to bolster their all-round department in 2019 IPL Auctions. However, the team is likely to go with Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo as their two all-rounders ahead of the first game against MI on 19th September 2020.
4. Spinners: Imran Tahir and Piyush Chawla
Much like the previous two editions, Imran Tahir is likely to lead the spin attack. With Harbhajan Singh opted out of IPL 2020, CSK should go with Piyush Chawla and Imran Tahir when they will face off Mumbai Indians on 19th September 2020.
5. Fast Bowlers: Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar is back in the training camp after testing negative in the recent test conducted for Covid-19. He would be rearing to go out and make this year’s IPL his own. He is likely to share fast bowling duties alongside Shardul Thakur.
The management might tempt to go for Lungi Ngidi but then they have to sit out Faf du Plessis, which they can’t afford to do right now.
CSK’S ideal playing eleven:
Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Imran Tahir, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur.
