Chennai Super Kings (CSK) added six players in the IPL 2024 auction on December 19. In the process, they added replacements and strengthened their side heading into the 17th season.
CSK are the defending champions of the IPL having won the title last season. They added Daryl Mitchell as a possible replacement for Ambati Rayudu and also added the likes of Rachin Ravindra and rebought Shardul Thakur to their team.
CSK as always have been very sure they wanted to buy at the auction and have looked to fill the gaps. They have added Mustafizur Rahman as a backup for Mathessha Pathirana and in Avanish Rao Aravelly they have a backup for MS Dhoni if needed.
MS Dhoni will lead the Chennai Super Kings for a possible last season in the IPL. The CSK skipper had knee surgery after the IPL 2023 final and has had time to recover ahead of the next season which might be his last. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was very happy with the new acquisitions in the post-match interaction after the IPL. In this article, we take a look at Chennai Super Kings’ best possible playing XI ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
CSK Playing 11 for IPL 2024
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad will open the batting for CSK. He has been a consistent run-scorer for the franchise since IPL 2021. He scored 590 runs in IPL 2022 with four fifty-plus scores. The right-hander is touted as the next CSK skipper after MS Dhoni.
Devon Conway
Conway will open the batting alongside Gaikwad. Together they have been a formidable opening pair at the top of the order. Conway scored 672 runs last season ending as the second-highest run-getter.
Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane was a revelation with CSK last season. He played a few impactful games for the franchise last season and reinvented his T20 game. CSK was able to extract the best from him. The Indian batter did not find a place in the Indian Test side anymore.
Moeen Ali / Daryl Mitchell
One among Mitchell or Moeen Ali can bat at four. The selection will be dependent on the playing conditions the opposition and the team combination. Mitchell was roped in for 14 crores by CSK.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube will slot in at five as the power-hitter. The southpaw also played his best for CSK last season scoring 418 runs in 16 matches with three fifty-plus scores striking at over 150. Dube was named in the Australia T20I series but did not get to play any games.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja will slot in at six. He hit the winning runs for CSK last season and is a seasoned campaigner in the IPL. He has been equally good with bat and ball for the franchise and a bankable player. Jadeja was recently a part of the Indian side that played the World Cup final.
MS Dhoni (C/WK)
Dhoni will slot in at seven. He also played cameos with the bat throughout the last season. However, it was his captaincy that attracted the attention of everyone else and it will be the same this season. How he channels his players to be at their best will be key.
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur will bat at eight. He was added by CSK at 4 crores. He could not play at his best either for Delhi Capitals and KKR. For CSK, he has played 55 wickets across four seasons. Thakur also played some key cameos with the bat for CSK.
Deepak Chahar
Chahar will bat at nine and lead the CSK bowling attack. He has not played much international cricket for India since the last IPL season and also missed out on playing in the World Cup.
Maheesh Theekshana
Theekshana will be one of the specialist spinners. He has opened the attack for CSK on many occasions and is seen as a powerplay bowler. The SL spinner was not amongst the wickets last season.
Matheesha Pathirana
Pathirama will lead the attack along with Chahar. He picked up 20 wickets for CSK last season but has not played much international cricket throughout the year. CSK bought The Fizz as Pathirana’s backup if needed.
Impact Sub- Tushar Deshpande
Deshpande the Indian pacer will be the impact sub for CSK. He was used much in the same role last season as well. The pacer picked up 21 wickets in 16 matches last season.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2024: England, Australia Placed In Same Group In T20 WC – Reports
