When it comes to the Indian Premier League, the first team name that strikes on anyone’s mind is CSK. The Chennai Super Kings are not just one of the most successful franchises in the competition but also one of the most loved franchises as well. This is a team that does not have fans, it has devotees. Chennai Super Kings are no doubt the heart of the Indian Premier League and there is absolutely no team in the whole of IPL which has a dedicated and huge fan base as the Chennai Super Kings.
pic source: twitter.com
However, the mega auction has stirred things up a bit as teams got shuffled and set team combinations were disturbed. However, one thing that has really surprised the fans from all around the world and not just the CSK fans is that Suresh Raina was not picked by CSK and he was not picked by any other franchise as well. Suresh Raina is one of the greatest IPL players who was IPL’s leading run-scorer for a long time. He was the backbone of this formidable CSK side that won so many championships. However, this year the fans will not be able to see Suresh Raina playing for CSK.
Let us look at their expected playing XI and their strengths and squads of the Chennai Super Kings -
- Ruturaj Gaikwad - He was the leading run-scorer in the last edition of the IPL. He was so impressive in the IPL that he even got his maiden call up for India’s national team. Ruturaj Gaikwad is perhaps one of the best young opening prospects India have right now. He is someone who can play shots all around the ground. He can play good drive shots and he also has the power and the timing to play the ball in the air as and when needed. When needed, he can anchor the innings and when needed he can be the aggressor as well. He will be one of the biggest assets of CSK in the IPL for many years to come.
- Devon Conway - One of the hottest prospects in World Cricket right now who average above 50 in all three formats of the game. He is someone who can just score a lot of runs every time he comes out to bat and that too at a brisk pace.
- Robin Uthappa - When on song he is one of the cleanest stroke makers in the modern-day game. His shots and the whole batting display when he puts on a show will leave you in delight. CSK use their experienced players well and with Raina not picked, expect Robin Uthappa to fill up those big boots.
- Moeen Ali - England International all-rounder, winner of a world cup. Brilliant Striker of the cricket ball and a very good spinner of the ball. Moen Ali is a captain’s delight!
- Ambati Rayudu - Another veteran player who might have retired internationally but the IPL is still his game and his league. He is an experienced campaigner who knows what's to be done and when it is to be done. His value is immense, especially when it comes to closing games.
- MS Dhoni - MS Dhoni is a name that needs no introduction even if you have been living under a rock. India’s best captain, a master of the game when it comes to captaincy, finishing a game and hitting those huge sixes. He might have retired and might be getting a little old but always remember he is Mahendra Singh Dhoni a.k.a Thala!
- Ravindra Jadeja - Sir Ravindra Jadeja is another name that needs no introduction. Recently he scored 175* and took 9 wickets in a Test against Sri Lanka. He is currently the World’s No 1 all-rounder in the latest ICC Test Rankings. Since the last two years, Jadeja has taken his game to an altogether very different level and he will be the trump card of CSK this season. He is brilliant in all three departments - batting, bowling & fielding.
- Dwayne Bravo - The most capped T20 player in the world with the most T20 wickets in the world. He is an all-time great and one of the jolliest people on the cricket pitch. He can dance and his bowling can make you dance and yes he can finish games as well. Dwayne Bravo’s experience will come in very handy for CSK.
- Deepak Chahar - He will be CSK’s ace bowler in the powerplay. He is someone who is absolutely lethal with the new ball and he can hurt the opposition in the powerplay by taking early wickets. He has improved his batting by a huge distance as well and he will also be a very key player for CSK in this IPL.
- Adam Milne - Fast, accurate and absolutely lethal. Adam Milne is one of the best bowlers to have in your ranks during the death overs. MS Dhoni is someone who knows how to use his bowlers very wisely and with him and Bravo bowling in the death overs, CSK can really have an upper hand in closing the innings very economically.
- Prashant Solanki - A 22-year-old right-arm leg spinner who recently rose to the ranks after his impressive performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He picked up a 5 wicket haul in his debut. He will be a good mystery bowling addition to CSK bowling Arsenal considering he is very new and not many batsmen will have faced him.
Chennai Super Kings Squad IPL 2022:
Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Dwayne Bravo, Devon Conway, Subhranshu Senapati, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Mahesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Prashant Solanki, C Hari Nishanth, N Jagadeesan, Chris Jordan, K Bhagath Verma, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Milne
Squad Composition 25 (Indian 17 Overseas 8)
Amount Remaining In Purse INR 2.95 Crore
Chennai Super Kings Playing 11 2022 (Suggested XI)
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Adam Milne, Prashant Solanki