Chennai Super Kings  have been one of the most successful teams in IPL history. When we look back at the club’s success throughout the years, we can see that one of the key reasons for their amazing steadiness has been the team culture, faith in players, and fewer chop and changes.

CSK face the Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament opener on March 26. 

The IPL 2022 appears to be no different. CSK have re-invested in the majority of their former players. Their policy of pursuing tried-and-tested players appears to have taken centre stage once more. Although a few potential players were unable to be kept, they were able to replace them with some excellent talent. 

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So, given the team’s current squad, what is the strongest anticipated playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2022?

Chennai Super Kings squad

Batters and wicket-keepers: C Hari Nishaanth, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu (WK), Devon Conway (WK), MS Dhoni (C&WK), N Jagadeesan (WK), Robin Uthappa (WK) & Subranshu Senapati.

All-rounders: Bhagath Varma, Dwaine Pretorious, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & Shivam Dube.

Bowlers: Adam Milne, Chris Jordan, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Mukesh Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, M Theekshana & Prashant Solanki.

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Openers:

CSK had one of the greatest opening combinations in IPL 2021, with Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad in their rank. While Faf du Plessis has joined RCB in IPL 2022, CSK replaced him with New Zealand’s Devon Conway. The attitude of the Kiwi opener appears to be quite similar to that of Faf du Plessis. He has the ability to plan innings well and hit big when required. Conway appears to be a great substitute for Faf du Plessis, and under MS Dhoni’s leadership, he should do well.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of India’s biggest new stars, will be on hand to support Conway. In recent years, the IPL 2021 Orange Cap winner has received recognition in various levels of domestic cricket in India. Ruturaj’s stakes are once again greater this year after being retained by CSK ahead of the Auction. The brilliant Maharashtra-born opener is likely to put up a good performance.

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Middle Order:

CSK have the same middle-order as seen in the IPL 2021 final. Robin Uthappa is ranked fourth, Ambati Rayudu is ranked fifth, and MS Dhoni is ranked sixth. Uthappa and Rayudu had performed admirably for CSK in the middle order. There’s no harm in sticking with them even if they’re beyond their prime. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, the skipper at 6, would serve as a link between the finishers and the middle order.

All-rounders:

CSK, like the middle order, has a trio of all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Dwayne Bravo. While Moeen makes up for a solid batting all-rounder at number three, Jadeja is a complete all-rounder at number seven. At 8, Bravo is a solid all-around bowler. All three are significant members of the squad and play important roles.

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Bowlers:

When it comes to bowling, this is the department that has seen the most changes in CSK’s roster. While Josh Hazlewood, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar managed the bowling attack in 2021, Shardul Thakur and Josh Hazlewood will not be available this season for CSK since they were acquired by other clubs for a large sum in 2022.

Instead of Josh Hazlewood, CSK now has Adam Milne’s speed. They also have Chris Jordan and Dwaine Pretorious, but Adam Milne is more consistent and lethal than the other two and will most likely start as CSK’s first-choice fast bowler.

Apart from Adam Milne, CSK will prefer a strong Indian pacer, but they must now select between a young Indian pacer and a young Indian spinner based on the pitch. Prashant Solanki can play on a spin-friendly pitch. If the pitch is fast, CSK has four choices in the shape of KM Asif, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

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Rajvardhan Hangargekar appears to be the most capable of the four. CSK are interested in him since he is a U-19 World Cup champion and a ferocious speed bowler. Of course, there are certain suspicions of age fraud levelled against Hangargekar. If they are proven to be genuine, Rajvardhan Hangargekar might face a life ban. This would be quite terrible, as Tushar Deshpande appears to be a solid bowler to replace him.

Possible XI of Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Adam Milne