Countdown to the kick off for the 11th edition of cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) has officially begun. With the return of hot-favourite Chennai Super Kings, this season, their arch rivalry with defending Mumbai Indians resumes on 7th April at iconic Wankhede Stadium.
This time around, Super Kings managed to retain a majority of their core players along with few exciting additions to the team.
Overall, the team looks well-balanced: covering all bases introduced with like to like replacements.
Here’s a look at predicted XI of the Chennai Super Kings in the lung-opener:
Murali Vijay –
The hometown (Chennai) hero, Murali Vijay is back where he belongs in the IPL.
Vijay played some of his finest IPL knocks while donning the yellow jersey, opening for the team. Thus, Vijay walks in to take guard for CSK this season.
Faf du Plessis –
Many would want to see England’s T20I specialist Sam Billings opening the innings for CSK. But there is no replacement for the class of Faf du Plessis, who was retained during the two-day mega-auction in Bengaluru in January, this year (2018).
Suresh Raina –
Suresh Raina is one of the superstars of the IPL over the years. The swashbuckling southpaw made the tournament his own while wearing the yellows of CSK.
The aggressive left-handed batter Raina would be looking to clinch the Orange Cap yet again, keeping an eye on the Indian squad.
Shane Watson –
The veteran all-rounder, Shane Watson, should be batting at the number four slot or opening the batting swapping places either with du Plessis or Billings.
Watson should be able to provide 2-3 overs consistently for MS Dhoni.
Fondly known as Watto, he has a major role to play if CSK intends to go long in the gruelling short-paced competition.
MS Dhoni –
Mahendra Sing Dhoni, with the batting power in the squad, should be able to bat at number 5 and provide the finishing touches for the side.
MSD can also swap places with Watson at the number four position, thereby, providing direction to the innings.
Kedar Jadhav –
Much like in the Indian team, cricketer Kedar Jadhav should be occupying the crucial number six position. Jadhav proved to be handy with the ball for the Indian side.
MSD’s affinity for spin makes Jadhav a guarantee for a couple of overs.
Dwayne Bravo –
The second all-rounder in the side, Dwayne Bravo, has been a quintessential figure for CSK over the years.
The three-dimensional Windies brings in tremendous value for CSK. He has been a great asset to the Chennai-based outfit. However, he has marred by injuries to go under the rehabilitation procedure.
Bravo’s improvisation during the death, with both bat and ball, will remain key for his team this season yet again.
Ravindra Jadeja –
Third retained player for Chennai Super Kings prior to the auctions, Ravindra Jadeja has been MSD’s go to spin bowler over the years.
The prolific all-rounder with four overs along his cameos will always be useful for the men donning yellow.
Harbhajan Singh –
Many would advocate Imran Tahir’s place in the XI instead of veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Given the experience of Harbhajan, along with four overseas player rule, MSD can explore his options by preferring the Indian over the South African.
Shardul Thakur –
The pace department of Chennai Super Kings appears in safe in the hands of youngsters.
Shardul Thakur exhibited his utility in the recently culminatedNidahas Trophy. With his stint at Chennai, Shardul would look to make a statement about him while competing on this level.
Mark Wood –
Mark Wood is one of the best death bowlers in the world. The idea of Wood and Bravo bowling the death overs looks daunting for the opposition. Wood also is no mug with the bat. The Englishmen also brings depth when it comes to batting in the lower order.
Deepak Chahar –
Making Deepak Chahar sit out with the form he is in may prove to be a cardinal sin for Chennai Super Kings.
In addition, Chahar walks into the XI with an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament behind him.
CSK squad:
MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo. Karn Sharma, Shane Watson, Shardul Thakur, Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Faf Du Plessis, Mark Wood, Sam Billings, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Lungisani Ngidi, Asif KM, N Jagadeesan, Kanishk Seth, Monu Singh, Dhruv Shorey, Kshitiz Sharma, and Chaitanya Bishnoi
Here’s the newsfeed:
IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals Confirms Heinrich Klaasen as Steven Smith’s Replacement.
IPL 2018: Kolkata Knight Riders Rope in Tom Curran to Replace Mitchell Starc
