IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings probable playing XI
Captaincy is the major concern for the yellow-based franchise. Ben Stokes is is likely to take up the leadership duty after MS Dhoni.
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Much to the surprise of the Indian cricket fraternity, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) long-standing captain MS Dhoni relinquished the leadership role just a couple of days before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Did CSK fail to do well in the 2022 season because of Dhoni’s stepping down from the role? The franchise must have thought so as they asked their Captain Cool to become their leader again in the second half of the tournament.
Rumors say CSK developed a rift against Ravindra Jadeja after the yellow jersey’s unprecedented poor performance, as they managed just two wins from eight matches under their star all-rounder. But everything is fine as Jadeja will still don the yellow jersey in 2023 as he was retained ahead of the mini-auction that took place on December 23, 2022. But this season can be the last one for Dhoni, who will turn 42 next year.
Captaincy is the major concern for the yellow-based franchise. And maybe that’s why they couldn’t let go of England’s formidable all-rounder Ben Stokes in the auction. Stokes will rejoin Dhoni next year- an excellent fitting in the XI that won’t see West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo. Ben Stokes is captain material, and so is veteran Ajinkya Rahane who was also roped in. CSK might do some experiments to choose their next skipper. The discussion of the captaincy issue will be done another time as Dhoni hinted at donning the yellow jersey in 2023. CSK entered the auction with a purse of INR 20.45 crore. Apart from Stokes and Rahane, CSK signed five more players- Kyle Jamieson, Indian uncapped Ajay Mandal, Bhagat Varma, and Nishant Sindhu. Without further ado, check CSK’s probable playing XI.
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IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings probable playing XI
Devon Conway: Despite the team’s overall lackluster show, the opening pair of Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored runs consistently. They are the new opening pair for CSK and will continue with this role in the 2023 season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Gaikwad has been in terrific form in domestic cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, the 25-year-old slammed a phenomenal double century in the quarter-final, a century in the semi-final, finishing the season with another hundred in the final. Another incredible fact about him is that he has the most centuries (12) in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Ambati Rayudu: Rayudu is known for his aggressive brand of cricket. He was once a regular face in the Indian ODI XI, and now, he will keep boosting the middle order for CSK.
Ajinkya Rahane: Rahane is naturally a Test cricketer. He got sold to CSK for his base price of INR 50 lakh. In IPL, he has played a total of 158 matches, amassing 4074 runs at a strike rate of 120.68, with 105* being his highest score. He was with KKR in the previous edition where in seven matches, he scored 133 runs.
Moeen Ali: The versatile batter has the ability to bat at any position. Last season, he played 10 matches and scored 244 runs at a strike rate of 137.30. He was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the 2021 auction. CSK signed him in and retained him ahead of the 2022 mega auction as well as for the next season.
Ben Stokes: Stokes is a fighter. He thinks of winning the game in any situation; did it in the 2019 ODI World Cup final and the 2022 T20 World Cup final. He is leading England’s Test side; is likely to take up the leadership duty down the line.
MS Dhoni: No doubt, he will perfectly handle the wicketkeeping role. But it will be interesting to watch how the 41-year-old can add runs with his bat. The face of CSK, he led the side to four titles.
Ravindra Jadeja: He will keep doing the things he usually does- breaking a partnership and playing the role of a reliable batter. Injury has been a concern for this southpaw, which kept him out of for a long duration. But he recently hinted at his comeback.
Deepak Chahar: The 30-year-old is the first Indian to take a hat-trick in T20Is. Back and hip injuries ruled him out of IPL 2022, as well as in many India matches last year. He has been with CSK since his debut in 2018; was retained by the franchise for INR 14 crore ahead of the mini-auction.
Mukesh Choudhary: In his debut season in 2022, he did impress by scalping 16 wickets from 13 matches. Choudhary was the leading wicket-taker for Maharashtra in Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2021-22 season, after which CSK roped him in at the 2022 mega-auction.
Maheesh Theekshana: The Sri Lankan was the mystery spinner in IPL 2022 for CSK. In nine matches, he scalped 12 wickets at an economy of 7.46.
CSK probable playing XI: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (c ) (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Choudhary, Maheesh Theekshana.
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Gouri Das
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