Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Chennai Super Kings are the defending champions of IPL. CSK would definitely look to retain their title with their new-look squad. Ahead of IPL 2022 Mega Auction, CSK had retained 4 players- Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Chennai Super Kings have been one of the most consistent sides in IPL history. If we analyze the team’s performance over the years, one of the main reasons for their epic consistency has been the team culture, trust in players, and less chop and changes in the team.
The IPL 2022 seems no different. CSK has once again invested in most of their previous squad. The franchise has managed to get most of their players back from last season's squad.
So now with the kind of squad the team has got, what could be the probable 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022? Let’s find out.
Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway
In IPL 2021, CSK had its best opening combination. Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad. They complemented each other very well, both went on to score big runs for CSK and eventually ended as 1st and 2nd in the Orange Cap race last season. However, Du Plessis will not be part of CSK as he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the auction. But to replace him, CSK managed to get an equally good player in kiwi Opener Devon Conway. The Kiwi opener has a similar style and approach to Du Plessis and is an ideal replacement for him.
Conway will be partnered by one of the most talked-about youngsters in Indian cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 2021 Orange Cap winner would want to carry on from where he left. The only scare is he sustained a wrist injury recently and CSK would be hoping he recovers before the start of the IPL 2022 season.
Middle Order: Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni
CSK seems to have the same middle order as they had last season. Robin Uthappa and Rayudu had performed pretty well and CSK would like to continue with that. Meanwhile, Dhoni, the captain at 6 would once again be the bridge between middle-order and finishers.
All Rounders: Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube
Moeen Ali at 3 provides CSK much-needed acceleration in the middle overs. Moeen at 3 was another masterstroke by captain cool MS Dhoni which has paid off for CSK.
At 7 and 8, CSK has 2 all-rounders. One is Jadeja who is regarded as a complete package. Jadeja over the years has evolved as a batsman and especially as that finisher down the order who can win games for his team, other being Shivam Dube he is capable of producing big shots when needed, besides batting he can roll his arm when needed.
Bowlers: Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Tushar Deshpande
Now coming into the bowling, this is the department that has the most changes in CSK Squad. Till last year, CSK had a quartet of Bravo, Thakur, Chahar and Hazelwood. Hazelwood and Shardul Thakur have gone to other teams, while Deepak Chahar has got injured. Now with 3 out of 4 gone, CSK bowling attack has a new look. They have the likes of Chris Jordan and Adam Milne but considering Jordan being death over specialist, Dhoni might prefer him over Milne. Now with Deepak injured one of the young Indian bowlers from the likes of Tushar Deshpande or young spinner Prashant Solanki will have to step up and perform for CSK.