IPL 2021 UAE Leg: Best Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

An all-round team, the focus as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE.

After their worst performance in the history of IPL in 2020, the Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni have bounced back pretty strongly in 2021. They are sitting nicely in the second position with 5 wins from 7 games at the halfway stage. 

While most of the other teams are currently struggling with their overseas contingent due to pandemic and personal commitments, Chennai Super Kings are one of the few teams to have a sorted squad ahead of the second leg. Their key absentee from phase 1, Josh Hazlewood is now completely available for the second leg, which is a big boost for CSK.

So, with the return of Josh Hazlewood and UAE conditions in place, what could be the best predicted playing 11 for CSK for the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE? Let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s quickly skim through their final squad for IPL 2021 UAE.

IPL 2021 UAE Final Squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batsmen: Ambati Rayudu, Cheteshwar Pujara, CH Nishaanth, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni (C&WK), N Jagadeesan (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa (WK) & Suresh Raina.

All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Bhagat Varma, K Gowtham, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & Sam Curran

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Harishankar Reddy, Imran Tahir, Josh Hazlewood, Karn Sharma, KM Asif, Lungi Ngidi, R Sai Kishore & Shardul Thakur

Openers: Faf du Plessis & Ruturaj Gaikwad

Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad opened for CSK in all the matches played in IPL 2021 so far. Performance-wise, they have done a really good job. While Faf is the leading run-scorer for CSK with 320 runs at a strike rate of 146. Ruturaj Gaikwad isn’t far behind either with 196 runs at a strike rate of 129. 

Both are similar-style players, and they take their time before accelerating. But both are highly effective. With them in form, and giving valuable results, expect CSK to stick to the same combination. That means the experience of Robin Uthappa will have to wait once again. 

Middle-order: Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu & MS Dhoni (C&WK)

Well Ideally, Suresh Raina should have been playing at number 3 for CSK as has the history been. But given the success of the floater, Moeen Ali at number 3, expect CSK to continue playing the attacking all-rounder at number 3. This reduces the burden off the shoulders of Suresh Raina and Co.

With Moeen at 3, CSK’s middle-order becomes even more strong with Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, and MS Dhoni to follow at 4, 5, and 6 respectively. While this is definitely quite strong, it would be very crucial for MS Dhoni to give enough game time to their key batsmen before the all-important Knock out games. 

The form of MS Dhoni shall also be very crucial for the team. Dhoni was fantastic in 2018 and 2019, but his form has taken a dip since 2020, which is a cause of worry. In IPL 2021 so far, MS has only managed to score 37 runs from 4 innings. But we know he is a champion, and would need to spend quality time in the middle to get back to his old self.  

All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran & Dwayne Bravo

Chennai Super Kings might be the only team that can boost 4 quality all-rounders in the playing 11. The presence of two spin-bowling and pace-bowling all-rounders in the form of Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Dwayne Bravo makes the CSK lower-order the strongest among all the teams. 

What’s more, imagine the depth of the team that Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, who are equally good batsmen would be batting at 10 and 11 respectively. Nevertheless, Jadeja, Moeen, Bravo, and Curran are good bowling options to have that bring a good variety. The only thing that CSK is missing in this line-up is a mystery spinner. 

Bowlers: Shardul Thakur & Deepak Chahar

Imagine playing with only 2 bowlers as the 4 all-rounders playing in the squad add equal value in all three departments. Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar are not only CSK’s leading bowlers but also Team India’s preferred pacers in the squad. There would be a good focus on both of them as only 1 might get a nod ahead of the other for the important T20 World Cup 2021. 

Best Predicted 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Second Leg of IPL 2021 in UAE:

Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur & Deepak Chahar.

So, that completes the best predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE. While almost 9-10 player names are sorted, there could be a few changes depending on the pitch and playing 11 combinations. So, barring the above-mentioned ideal predicted playing 11, CSK can also try for the following combinations. 

• Imran Tahir or Mitchell Santner for Dwayne Bravo to suit spin-friendly wickets. 
• Josh Hazlewood or Lungi Ngidi for Dwayne Bravo to bring in fresh blood in the squad. 
• Robin Uthappa for Ruturaj Gaikwad or Ambati Rayudu depending on who isn’t performing as expected. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 for CSK for IPL 2021 UAE? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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