Chennai Super Kings bought as many as six players in the IPL 2021 player auction. Moeen Ali seven crores and Krishnappa Gowtham at 9.25 crores were two of their biggest buys in the auction. The franchise finished seventh in IPL 2020 in what was their worst season ever They lost as many as eight games last season. Releasing some of the aging players, CSK roped in some players who were in many ways utility players for the franchise for the upcoming season.
In this article, we will try to choose the best possible precited XI for Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2021.
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Predicted Playing XI For Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021
Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa was traded from Rajasthan Royals into the side after the three-time IPL champions released Murali Vijay and Shane Watson announced his retirement. He was bought by the Royals last season but did not have a good one for the inaugural IPL champions. He scored 196 runs for the Royals last season without a fifty-plus score. Uthappa has rich experience of playing the IPL and will look to cover up Vijay and Watson’s absence. He will open the innings alongside Faf Du Plessis.
Faf Du Plessis
Du Plessis was retained ahead of the IPL 2021 auction. He has been a proven matchwinner for Chennai Super Kings and one of MS Dhoni’s most trusted players. Du Plessis and Watson were the only two players in-form for CSK last season. He scored 449 runs in 13 games for the franchise last season. This season he will have to step up with the bat once again if the Yellow Army is aiming to make a grand comeback.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina was retained by the franchise despite missing the IPL last season. He will be back to his number three spot for the franchise where he has been the most successful. Raina’s comeback will even strengthen the batting line-up. He and MS Dhoni will be the two key players in the middle order.
MS Dhoni
The presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo in the lower-order will allow MS Dhoni to play at number four. Over the last few seasons, he has been taking a little more time to settle down before playing his big shots. It will be interesting to see is this will be his last season in the yellow jersey.
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Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali, CSK’s new recruit can be a good option lower down the order. He also provides a spin option with the ball alongside Ravindra Jadeja. Moeen’s all-round abilities can be off immense value to the franchise if they use him to his full potential.
Dwayne Bravo
Bravo has been playing for the franchise since 2011. However, since the last few seasons, he is playing more for his bowling abilities than his batting credentials. He has a wide range of bowling options and he is their death over specialist. He will also be handy with the bat if and when he gets his chance. He will slot in at six.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja provides the side with another all-round option. He has been also playing for the franchise for a long time now and understands his role perfectly for the side. He can hit some big blows lower down the order and can take key wickets with the ball as well. He is a vital cog in CSK’s wheel and another of their proven matchwinners.
Deepak Chahar
He will be the first pace option for Chennai Super Kings. He has been used very wisely by MS Dhoni over a period of time. He generally bowls inside the powerplay when the ball is hard and new and swinging. He moves the ball both ways and invariably gives his side early wickets.
Shardul Thakur
Shardul will partner Chahar from the other end. He too is a regular player in the side. He is also used at key moments of the game by his skipper MS Dhoni. His recent success with the ball in Australia wil be crucial in helping him to perform for the side.
Krishnappa Gowtham
Gowtham was roped in for 9.25 crores by the franchise. This makes him an almost sure-shot pick for the XI. He is a quality off-spinner and a handy option with the bat lower-down the order. He can also bat a bit higher in the order as well.
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Tahir played a handful of matches last season. However, now with Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh both not a part of the squad, Tahir can be picked in the side once again. He still has the heart of a child and his quality as a spinner is still top-notch. He will be a crucial option for MS Dhoni in the bowling attack.
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