IPL 2019: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Team Rating

CSK have the strongest squad on paper with their team rating of 8.7, but, will they be able to retain the IPL 2019 trophy?

Editor’s Note (Updated 2026)

This article was originally published before the start of IPL 2019 and reflects Chennai Super Kings’ squad analysis, strengths, weaknesses, and title chances based on the information available at that time. The content is preserved as a historical record of pre-season expectations and team evaluation for IPL 2019.

For the latest Chennai Super Kings news, squad updates, playing XI predictions, and IPL analysis, explore our dedicated CSK coverage section.

In IPL 2018, Chennai Super Kings had one of the strongest squad on paper. Most of the players were experienced, and it reflected in their performance too as they finished as the champions of IPL 2018. This year around, CSK have retained most of their squad, unlike other teams. This is a good sign as it shows their trust in the players. 

Coming to IPL 2019, we analyzed Chennai Super Kings’ strengths and weaknesses for IPL 2019 in our previous article. Don’t forget to check that out. In this article, we will be focusing on  rating the Chennai Super Kings squad in different categories, viz., Openers, Middle-order, All-rounders, Spinners, Pacers and Key backups in each category.

Please Note:

• We feel a perfect team combination would consist of two openers, three middle-order batsmen, one batting all-rounder, one bowling all-rounder, two spinners, two pacers and good backups in each category.
• Each department would have a maximum rating of 10. A rating of 8 for key players and 2 for backups.

Right then, let’s look at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team rating for IPL 2019

OPENERS:

Benchmark: David Warner (SRH)

Two Main Openers for CSK: Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu

Good Backup Opener: Faf du Plessis

Decent Backup Openers: Murali Vijay and Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings have three solid openers in the form of Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis.

Out of these three, Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu were their prime openers, and they did an exceptional job last time.

Shane Watson made 555 runs from 15 innings at an average of 39.64 and a strike rate of 154.59. While Ambati Rayudu made 602 runs from 16 innings at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 149.75.

Considering, Shane Watson has been a successful opener previously too, he gets a rating of 3.75 out of 4 while Ambati Rayudu gets a rating of 3.5 out of 4.

Their success is the reason they should be CSK’s preferred openers; at least initially. Faf du Plessis can be their main backup option for any strategical change.

For the backup options, CSK get a rating of 2 out of 2 as you cannot ask for a better back-up option than Faf du Plessis. Also, Murali Vijay and Ruturaj Gaikwad provide for decent backup options.

Overall, Chennai Super Kings Openers Rating: 9.25/10

MIDDLE-ORDER

Benchmark: Virat Kohli (RCB) and AB de Villiers (RCB)

Three Solid Middle-order Players for CSK: Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, and Kedar Jadhav

Good Backups: Sam Billings and Ambati Rayudu

Decent Backups: N Jagadeesan and Dhruv Shorey

When you have Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni in the middle-order, the opposition would always feel the nerves. That is the kind of impact these two gentlemen have had in the IPL.

MS Dhoni had a superb IPL 2018 too, and it looked as if we are witnessing the vintage Dhoni of old. He made a staggering 455 runs from 15 innings at an average of 75.83 and a strike rate of 150.66. He also holds a triple responsibility of captaincy, batting, and wicket-keeping. Thus, MS Dhoni gets a rating of 2.75 out of 3.

Suresh Raina, the leading run-scorer in the IPL has been one of the most consistent players in the IPL. He never had a breakthrough season, but has always given the valuable runs playing in the middle-order. In IPL 2018, he made a good 445 runs at an average of 37.08 and a strike rate of 132.44. He too gets a rating of 2.75 out of 3.

Kedar Jadhav has never been a flamboyant IPL player, but has always impressed with his useful performances in the International arena. Thus, he gets a rating of 1.5 out of 2.

Coming to the backup options, CSK have only one good option in the form of Sam Billings. Ambati Rayudu can fulfill the back-up middle-order position as he did last time. N Jagadeeshan and Dhruv Shorey provide for decent backup options.

CSK get a rating of 1.75 out of 2 in middle-order backups.

Overall, Chennai Super Kings Middle-order Rating: 8.75/10

ALL-ROUNDERS

Benchmark: Andre Russel (KKR) as a batting all-rounder and Sunil Narine (KKR) as a bowling all-rounder 

Batting All-rounder for CSK: Shane Watson

Bowling All-rounder for CSK: Dwayne Bravo

Batting All-rounder Backup: Kedar Jadhav and Chaitanya Bishnoi

Bowling All-rounder Backup: Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner and David Willey.

Shane Watson is an excellent batting-rounder for CSK. He is a valuable batsman and a good bowler. However, he was not used primarily as a bowler by MS Dhoni last year. Last year, he took 6 wickets from 15 innings at an average of 41.83 and an economy rate of 8.96. Thus, he gets a rating of 3.5 out of 4.

Dwayne Bravo is an excellent bowler, but was somewhat not successful last year taking 14 wickets from 16 innings at an average of 38.07 and an economy rate of 9.96. As a batsman, he scored 141 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 154.94. He too gets a rating of 3.5 out of 4. 

Coming to the backups, CSK have plenty of options. They are one of the only two sides to boast so many all-rounders. Thus, CSK get a rating of 1.75 out of 2 in all-rounder backups.       

Overall, Chennai Super Kings All-rounders Rating: 8.75/10

SPINNERS:

Benchmark: Rashid Khan (SRH)

Two Main Spinners for CSK: Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir

Good Backup Spinners: Mitchell Santner

Decent Backup Spinners: Karn Sharma and Harbhajan Singh

Perhaps the only department where CSK are more on quantity and less on quality.

Ravindra Jadeja seems to be CSK’s prime spinner. However, last time, MS Dhoni didn’t use him completely, as a result, he bowled only 41 overs in 16 matches. He wasn’t successful either as he took only 11 wickets from 16 innings at an average of 27.54 and an economy rate of 7.39. Thus, he gets a rating of 3 out of 4.

Imran Tahir is a good spinner, but it is doubtful if he will get many games considering overseas restrictions and combinations. In the limited opportunity last year too, he did a decent job as he took 6 wickets from 6 innings at an average of 31.33 and an economy rate of 9.09. However, he has done well in the past. Thus, he gets a rating of 3.25 out of 4.  

Coming to a good backup, CSK have an excellent option in the form of Mitchell Santner. They also have Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma as decent backup options.

CSK get a rating of 2 out of 2 in the spin bowling backups.  

Overall, Chennai Super Kings Spinners Rating: 8.25/10

PACERS:

Benchmark: Jasprit Bumrah

Two Main Pacers for CSK: Lungi Ngidi and Mohit Sharma  

Good Backup Pacers: Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar

Decent Backup Pacers: KM Asif and Monu Kumar

Lungi Ngidi had a fantastic debut season for CSK last year. Overall, he accounted for 11 wickets from 7 innings at an average of 14.18 and an economy rate of 6. He not only took wickets, but also bowled economically. Thus, he gets a rating of 3.25 out of 4, which is not bad considering he played only one season in the IPL, and has a lot of potential.

Mohit Sharma is back to its favorite team, which gave him all the limelight. He didn’t do that well last season as he took only 7 wickets from 9 innings at an average of 46 and an economy rate of 10.85. However, he has been impressive in his previous IPL editions. Thus, he gets a rating of 3.25 out of 4.

CSK have superb backup options in the form of Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur. Both of them have made it to the national side recently.  They also have KM Asif and Monu Kumar as decent backup options. Thus, CSK get a rating of 2 out of 2 in pace bowling backups.

Overall, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Pacers Rating for IPL 2019: 8.5/10

CONCLUSION:

As a team, CSK have the best squad on paper with their strengths being their batsmen and all-rounders. They have a high chance of retaining the IPL 2019 trophy too. But, the game is so unpredictable that anything can happen on the D-Day.

Assuming all players are available, an ideal Playing XI for Chennai Super Kings would be

Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir, Mohit Sharma, and Lungi Ngidi.

Overall, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) get a team rating of 8.7/10 for IPL 2019.

IPL 2019 Season Review: How Did CSK Perform?

Chennai Super Kings once again proved why they are one of the most successful franchises in IPL history. After finishing runners-up in the league stage, CSK qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the IPL 2019 final.

Led by MS Dhoni, CSK displayed remarkable consistency throughout the season. The team relied heavily on experienced players such as Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, and Imran Tahir.

In the final against Mumbai Indians, CSK came agonizingly close to lifting their fourth IPL title but fell short by just one run in one of the most dramatic IPL finals ever played.

IPL 2019 Final Result

• Final Position: Runners-up
• Captain: MS Dhoni
• Top Run Scorer: Faf du Plessis (396 runs)
• Top Wicket Taker: Imran Tahir (26 wickets)
• League Position: 2nd
• Playoff Result: Lost to Mumbai Indians in the Final by 1 run

Despite not winning the trophy, CSK once again demonstrated the value of experience, squad depth, and leadership, validating much of the optimism surrounding the team before the tournament began.

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