IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 Basis Official Retained Players

MS Dhoni back as the leader for Chennai Super Kings as we look at IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 for their official retained players. 

The joint-most successful franchise in the history of the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings will once again see their most lovable and successful captain, MS Dhoni leading the franchise for yet another season. Even since the inception of IPL in 2008, CSK have only seen MS Dhoni as their leader. Unsurprisingly, he happens to be the only play to be leading a particular franchise from 2008 till 2024.

The defending champions retained a total of 19 players ahead of the IPL 2024 Auction – the join-most by any franchise for IPL 2024. However, given the culture of CSK to trust their players, the retentions could have been more had Ambati Rayudu not retired or Ben Stokes didn’t withdraw his name from the IPL. CSK would have definitely given both of them another chance at the game.

Nevertheless, with MS Dhoni at the helm, CSK have retained a total of 3 batters, 2 wicket-keepers, 6 all-rounders, and 8 bowlers. The team currently has INR 31.4 Cr in their kitty having released two expensive buys in the form of Ben Stokes and Ambati Rayudu. Of the 19 players that CSK retained, 14 are Indian players and 5 are Overseas players. 

So, does CSK have a competent squad going into the Auction, or do they need to fill in some gaps? Well, before we get into the Auction strategy for CSK, let’s look at the current strongest IPL 2024 CSK playing 11 based on their retained players. Let’s also revisit the gaps CSK currently have, and their current official retained players list. 

IPL 2024 Official Squad and Retained Players List for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Shaik Rasheed 

WKs: Devon Conway (o) & MS Dhoni (c)

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

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana (o), Matheesha Pathirana (o), Mukesh Chaudhary, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh & Tushar Deshpande

Total Players Retained: 19 // Purse Left: 31.4 Cr

IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 based on Final Retained Players:

Openers – Devon Conway & Ruturaj Gaikwad

If we talk about the two best openers in the CSK squad, look no other than Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Both have been doing an amazing job at CSK amassing tons of runs together. Take 2023 IPL for example. While Devon Conway ended the season as the third-highest run-getter at 672 runs, Ruturaj Gaikwad wasn’t far behind with 590 runs to his name. 

Middle-order – Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali & Shivam Dube 

If there was an iota of doubt about Ajinkya Rahane’s hitting ability, all of those would have come to rest after seeing his reincarnation performance in IPL 2023. Ajinkya Rahane ended the 2023 season with 326 runs to his name at a brilliant strike rate of 172.5. With Ajinkya once again confirmed to play at number 3, supporting him shall be Moeen Ali and Shivam Dube. 

Similar to Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube was a breath of fresh air for CSK having managed to score 418 runs batting at 4 or below. With Ajinkya Rahane’s form and Shivam Dube’s stunning performance, Moeen Ali was mostly overpowered, and didn’t have much to do. But expect Moeen to continue playing for CSK in the middle-order.   

Finishers – Ravindra Jadeja & MS Dhoni (c&wk)

Coming to the finishers, CSK shall once again have their Captain MS Dhoni, and their best all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. With the impact rule present, we can expect one more finisher in place, who shall mostly play as a floater. But even without that, the batting lineup of CSK is lit with a player like MS Dhoni walking at number 7, and going berserk from ball 1. 

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Mathirana, Maheesh Theekshana & Mukesh Choudhary 

Finally, talking about the bowling, CSK shall see the return of two of their primary pacers, Deepak Chahar and Mukesh Choudhary. While Mukesh missed the entire IPL 2023 due to injury, Deepak missed the majority of the IPL. Nevertheless, CSK shall be hoping both these players are fully fit as they increase the strengths of CSK’s bowling considerably. 

Apart from this Indian duo, the Sri Lankan overseas duo, Matheesha Pahirana and Maheesh Theekshana will once be in focus. Both had a good IPL 2023 with Pathirana taking 19 wickets and Theekshana taking 11 wickets. So, unless CSK get an extraordinary pacer like Josh Hazlewood or an amazing spinner like Wanindu Hasaranga, both these Sri Lankan pacers shall play a crucial role. 

Chennai Super Kings Strongest IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 for their Retained Players:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana & Mukesh Choudhary. 

So, that’s about the strongest IPL 2024 CSK playing 11 based on their retained players. Overall, CSK are pretty much sorted even before going into the Auction. However, with the quality purse still left, all CSK need in the Auction is to find a good Indian middle-order batter and a solid overseas pacer. Seeing the options, they can target the likes of Shahrukh Khan, Gerald Coetzee, Josh Hazlewood, Dilshan Madhushanka, etc.  

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the IPL 2024 CSK playing 11 for their Retained Players? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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