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

MS Dhoni to lead a powerhouse team as we look at IPL 2024 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) playing 11 with impact player rule.

Be it 2008 or 2024, if there has been one common thing in the IPL or for the Chennai Super Kings, it has been MS Dhoni. The hottest property in the Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni, in his ‘definitely not’ fashion, will gear up for yet another blockbuster season with his glorious franchise Chennai Super Kings as they prepare to defend their title.

Not only were the Chennai Super Kings able to retain a strong squad, but a successful IPL 2024 Auction put them in the driving seat once again. Having released Ben Stokes due to unavailability and Ambati Rayudu due to retirement, CSK were able to get in the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, and Sameer Rizvi.

With such a strong squad present as also shown below, it would be damn interesting to see how the Chennai Super Kings go about their playing 11. Things also get interesting when we bring in the impact player rule. So, with the squad available in front of us, let’s look at the IPL 2024 CSK playing 11 options while batting and bowling first and considering the impact player rule.     

IPL 2024 Official 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 CSK Strongest Predicted Playing 11

Openers – Devon Conway & Ruturaj Gaikwad

Starting with the openers, CSK should look no beyond their most successful opening duo of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Both Ruturaj and Devon have been successful run-getters for CSK in the last few years. So, even though CSK have got Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra, it shouldn’t deter their opening combination for IPL 2024.  

Middle-order – Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube & Daryl Mitchell 

Coming to the middle-order, CSK should mostly use Ajinkya Rahane as the impact player at number 3. Rahane was quite successful for CSK in his resurgence year in 2023. With the impact player rule in place, CSK should place confidence in their go-to man, and play him at number 3. With Rahane at 3, Shivam Dube should continue playing at the number 4 position as he usually does.

One key player that CSK got for IPL 2024 is Daryl Mitchell. The talented Kiwi was astonishing for the Kiwis during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His style of play and strong middle-order dominance should prompt MS Dhoni and his team to play him at the number 4 or 5 position. CSK can also look at Rachin Ravindra for his spot, but Mitchell brings more experience and stability in the middle-order.

Finishers – Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & MS Dhoni (c&wk)

Coming to the finishers, CSK will be back to their IPL 2023 combination of Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni, as we know, mostly came to bat when his team was deeply in trouble. Same thing we should see in IPL 2024 too with MS Dhoni only coming in to bat when it is actually required. Else, Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja will be the go-to finishers for CSK in IPL 2024.

Bowlers – Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur & Maheesh Theekshana

Finally, coming to the bowling of CSK while batting first, they should play a bowler less with Ajinkya Rahane playing as an Impact player. But talking about CSK’s confirmed three bowlers, we should see Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Maheesh Theekshana. While Deepak and Theekshana played a key role in 2023, the inclusion of Shardul should make CSK a strong Indian pace bowling unit. 

Finally, talking about the impact players for CSK for IPL 2024, other than Ajinkya Rahane, who will play as an impact player if CSK bowl first, the other five solid options are Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Tushar Deshpande, Nishant Sindhu, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. 

IPL 2024 Strongest Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Batting First:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur & Maheesh Theekshana

So, that’s about CSK’s strongest powerhouse playing 11 for IPL 2024 while batting first. When CSK bowl first, Ajinkya Rahane, the impact player should make way for Mukesh Choudhary. Of all the young Indian pacers that CSK have, Mukesh is undoubtedly the best one. With Mukesh in the squad, the bowling should then rely on Mukesh, Deepak, Shardul, Theekshana, Jadeja, and Moeen Ali. 

IPL 2024 Strongest Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Bowling First:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Maheesh Theekshana & Mukesh Choudhary

IPL 2024 – CSK Alternate Playing 11 Options:

#1: IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 – Sameer Rizvi for Ajinka Rahane

CSK spent a fortune in acquiring the services of hard-hitting Sameer Rizwi. The talented player hails from Uttar Pradesh, and brings a lot of excitement along with him. While not immediately, at some time in the tournament, we can see Sameer Rizvi playing as a finisher ahead of maybe Ajinkya Rahane. 

#2: IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 – Matheesha Pathirana for Maheesh Theekshana

Matheesha Pathirana was one of the most successful bowlers for CSK in IPL 2023. Ideally, he should continue to lead the bowling attack for IPL 2024 too. But with overseas players’ restriction, and the inclusion of Daryl Mitchell and Shardul Thakur, that move looks unlikely. However, for pace-friendly conditions, CSK can bring in Pathirana for Theekshana. 

#3: IPL 2024 CSK Playing 11 – Pace Bowling Backups

It is no secret that CSK have a strong Indian core when it comes to their pacers. While Deepak Chahar and Shardul are CSK’s best first-choice pace options, they will mostly select Mukesh Choudhary, if he is fit and available. However, in case Mukesh isn’t fit, CSK also have Tushar Deshpande, Rajvarshan Hangargekar, and Simarjeet Singh to choose from as the third pace option.  

Thanks for reading! What’s your strongest playing 11 for CSK for IPL 2024? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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