Dream11 IPL 2020: Strongest Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Shane Watson 2

For a team that doesn’t believe in making too many changes in the playing eleven, it shouldn’t be too hard to pick the strongest playing XI for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020.

Though, we could see some big changes taking place this year as their two stalwarts, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, have pulled out of this year’s IPL. Add to that, the conditions in UAE would tempt Dhoni to go for an extra spinner.

Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent teams in the history of IPL. Dhoni and Co. have won three titles so far. They would be aiming to bag their fourth IPL title this year.

Here’s a look at the strongest playing XI of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2020:

Openers: Shane Watson and Faf Du Plessis

Both Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis have an excellent record in the Indian Premier League and made useful contributions for CSK in the last two seasons. For CSK to excel in the upcoming IPL, both the senior guys need to step up to the plate and exhibit strong performances with the bat. Watson scored 398 runs in 17 matches, last year, while Du Plessis scored 396 in 12 games.

Middle Order: Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni

While Ambati Rayudu has announced his retirement from international cricket, Kedar Jhadav has remained out of favour for India since the 2019 World Cup. Both the players haven’t played a lot of cricket, lately.

Things could become miserable for CSK if Rayudu and Jadhav don’t turn up good numbers. Nevertheless, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav are likely to bat at three and four respectively. Also, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if MS Dhoni bats at four and not five, given that Raina will not be playing this year.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo at six and seven respectively

Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo would go in as automatics picks for number six and seven respectively in the playing XI. Both the players have been vital cogs for the side, over the years, The slow pitches of UAE make the roles of Jadeja and Bravo more important now for the franchise.

Spinners: Piyush Chawla and Imran Tahir

With Harbhajan Singh not in the squad, CSK are likely to go with both the leg-spinners, i.e., Chawla and Tahir, in the playing eleven. Tahir has been vital for the side in the last two seasons. He would lead the spin-attack. Piyush Chawla too looks excited to excel under the leadership of a new skipper in MS Dhoni.

Fast Bowlers: Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar has joined CSK’s set-up after testing negative for Covid-19. His performance holds key not only for CSK but also for making the cut in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Much like the previous two seasons, CSK are likely to persist with Shardul Thakur as their second seamer in the squad.

Chennai Super Kings Full Squad for IPL 2020

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina*, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Karn Sharma, Shane Watson, Shardul Thakur, Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, Harbhajan Singh*, Josh Hazlewood, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, KM Asif, Narayan Jagadeesan, Monu Kumar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and R. Sai Kishore

*Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh are not playing in IPL 2020.

Strongest Predicted XI of Chennai Super Kings: