IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) New Playing 11

Devon Conway expected to miss most of the tournament as we look at the new best playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2024. 

Only a few weeks left before the commencement of the Indian Premier League, and the Chennai Super Kings are hit with big news. In an unfortunate scene of circumstances, CSK’s star batter and opener, Devon Conway will undergo surgery on his left thumb, and is expected to be out of action until May. This is a big blow for CSK, who have always considered Devon Conway their primary opener.

The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings had already started the preparatory camps, and Conway’s opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who only recently recovered from an injury is already a part of it. But with Devon Conway not there, the equation changes a lot within the CSK camp. Given that he is an overseas player, CSK will have to find another suitable opener or an overseas player to replace him.

At this moment, CSK haven’t named a replacement, so it would be interesting to see how MS Dhoni and his men go about Conway. But with Devon Conway not available for the majority of the tournament, what options do the Chennai Super Kings have for their opening combination? Well, let’s look at the updated new squad, and find out the new best playing 11 for CSK for IPL 2024. 

IPL 2024 Official New Squad List for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sameer Rizvi & Shaik Rasheed

WKs: Avanish Aravelly, Devon Conway (o) & MS Dhoni (c)

All-rounders: Ajay Mandal, Daryl Mitchell (o), Mitchell Santner (o), Moeen Ali (o), Nishant Sindhu, Rachin Ravindra (o), Ravindra Jadeja & Shivam Dube

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana (o), Matheesha Pathirana (o), Mukesh Choudhary, Mustafizur Rahman (o), Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Shardul Thakur, Simarjeet Singh & Tushar Deshpande

IPL 2024 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) New Best Playing 11

The biggest and prime question for which we are writing this article is who will open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad? Well, if we look at the current CSK squad, they have Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, and Moeen Ali among the options for the opening role. In IPL 2023, Ajinkya Rahane played at number 3, and even if he plays as an opener, it shouldn’t be an issue. 

However, CSK may persist with Ajinkya Rahane at number 3 position, and instead let Rachin Ravindra open the innings. Rachin is in some really good form at the moment, and CSK would want to capitalize on that. With Rachin as an opener, Moeen Ali may continue to play a floater depending don’t the situation. Both these overseas all-rounders are also really good bowling options for CSK.  

Coming to middle-order, CSK once again have a strong combination with Ajinkya Rahane at 3, Daryl Mitchell at 4, and Shivam Dube at 5. It’s a great combination of fire and ice where two players can potentially cut loose, and one can play as an accumulator. Following these three will be the finishers in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and MS Dhoni. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni may continue to play at 8 given his desire to work as a transition leader.

Bowling Arsenal?

Finally, talking about bowling, CSK’s main dilemma shall be to choose one between Maheesh Theeksha and Matheesha Pathirana. Given CSK’s choice of overseas players, only one of these two can make it to the final playing 11 depending on the pitch. While Theekshana may be preferred for spin-friendly pitches, Pathirana may come in for pace-friendly pitches. However, in case, CSK decide to play only one between Moeen and Rachin, both Pathirana and Theekshana can play. 

Other than Pathirana and Theekshana, CSK have three superb fast bowlers to look at. The team already had Deepak Chahar and Mukesh Choudhary for the pace department. Now the addition of Shardul Thakur makes it easier for CSK to build a strong bowling unit. In addition to these, CSK will use a lot of Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Rachin Ravindra depending on the playing conditions. 

IPL 2024 New Best Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad
2. Rachin Ravindra
3. Ajinkya Rahane
4. Daryl Mitchell
5. Shivam Dube
6. Moeen Ali
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. MS Dhoni (c&wk)
9. Deepak Chahar
10. Shardul Thakur
11. Maheesh Theekshana
12. Mukesh Choudhary (Impact Player)

Overall, even without Devon Conway, CSK boast a solid squad that can challenge any opponent in the competition. And that’s the beauty of a champion side that generally doesn’t rely heavily on one particular player. In fact, the loss of Devon Conway is a blessing in disguise for CSK given Rachin Ravindra’s current form and his all-round abilities. Meanwhile, the IPL 2024 will kick off with Chennai Super Kings taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your new best playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2024? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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