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The second most successful team in the Indian Premier League- Chennai Super Kings will go ahead with the intention to level the record of Mumbai Indian’s four titles. There is no questioning the potential of the team led by Former Indian captain MS Dhoni as they have one of the biggest names of the game.

CSK usually have a very quiet auction as they are a well settled team ever since their debut. This time around it was no different with the franchise making very few purchases. With the addition of well experienced Piyush Chawla and Sam Curran, CSK look well balanced and backed up.

Probable playing Xl for CSK in IPL 2020:

Shane Watson/ Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo/ Sam Curran, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir/Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi

Openers ( Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson/Ambati Rayudu)

Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis IPL
Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis (image Credits: Sportzwiki)

There would not be any doubts over Faf du Plessis opening the innings for CSK, the 36-year old is one of the regulars of the CSK team and has done a great job in opening the innings for them. Further to his incredible slogging ability and experience, his ability to play spin really well makes him the stand opener for the franchise.

The Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is one of the big names in the sport and has proved it several times in the IPL in which one of the best moments being the match-winning century he  scored in the 2018 final. The nearly 40-year old opener has been brewing well with age as he showed great form in the last T10 league.

Though CSK have a well settled opening pair, the fact that Shane Watson is a foriegn player could dent the chances of him playing all the matches. In that case, we could see Former Indian batsmen Ambati Rayudu who recently announced his retirement from International cricket take the place of the Australian. CSK though have a very good back to cover the openers in form of Murali Vijay and young sensation Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Middle- Order ( Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav)

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina IPL
MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina (Image Credits: CricketCountry)

The star CSK player Suresh Raina who recently announced his retirement from International cricketer along with his team captain MS Dhoni is considered the backbone of the CSK middle-order and is the most experienced player for the team. He did give a shocker to the CSK fans when he pulled out of the tournament stating personal issues as the reason but in the recent development to events the 33-year old stated he could be making a return to the CSK camp.

The Number 4 spot could be well claimed by all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, the off-spinner has been in and out of the Indian team and his form has not been on the good side recently. Though, he could provide a vital role for CSK in the form of his death over slogging and breaking crucial partnerships with his arm. IPL which has been a great platform for many players could well prove once again good for Jadhav to make a comeback into the Indian team.

The synonyms of CSK- MS Dhoni, the former World Cup winning captain and three times IPL winner is the player to watch out for. The 39-year old brought an end to one of the most celebrated eras of cricket after he announced his retirement from International recently. The Wicket-Keeper batsman was in great touch in the last season and averages a stunning 42 in the tournament. He will well be the winning factor of CSK once again.

All-rounders (Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo/ Sam Curran)

Ravindra Jadeja IPL
Ravindra Jadeja (Image Credits: CricketCircle)

Ravindra Jadeja has matured out to be one of the best all-rounders India has produced over the years. His ability to contain the batsmen and play some crucial innings with the bat combined with electric field makes him the player any team would pay a hefty amount to have.  The 31-year old reminded everyone of his potential when he along with MS Dhoni took India almost over the line in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals. He is yet another player to watch out for in the CSK camp and definitely the no. 6 for CSK.

The veteran CSK Dwayne Bravo has been the integral part of CSK over the years. His slower balls have been a great weapon in his arsenal which earned him the purple cap on two occasions and also holds the record for the player with most wickets in a single season of IPL(32 wickets). Though the 36-year old’s recent injuries have put a dent to his chances of playing the whole tournament and in that CSK have a back up in form of Sam Curran.

Sam Curran was one of the biggest purchases by CSK in the auctions and is undoubtedly a great talent. He could well prove to be a valuable player if he gets to play a few games.

Bowlers ( PIyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir/Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi)

Deepak Chahar IPL
Deepak Chahar (Image Credits: Crickettimes)

The recruitment of Piyush Chawla means he could be the front-line spinner for CSK. The former KKR player has been one of the most successful bowlers in IPL and ranks 4th in the list of players with most wickets in IPL. 

Harbhajan Singh who recently announced his absence from the tournament due to personal reasons means that Imran Tahir could take up the role. Last season’s purple cap winner could yet again be the trump card for CSK. Though the 41- year old foreign identity may give Shardul Thakur few games as CSK already have a arsenal of spinners informed of Chawla, Ravindra Jadeja and Kedar Jadhav. 

Deepak Chahar definitely needs a spot in the playing Xl after his outstanding performance in the last season and will look to showcase the similar one in the season keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup in the next year. 

The Australian Josh Hazlewood expressed his concern in joining in the CSK camp in which 13 of the members were tested positive for the virus. It is still to be confirmed on his status. This means the proteas pace sensation Lungi Ngidi could lead the pace attack. The 24-year had an excellent season in 2018 but missed out on the 2019 due to injury. He will be looking to replicate his performance in 2018 to help his team win the record 4th title.

Cover Credits: IPLT20