IPL 2018: Match 17: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals - Chennai Super Kings Predicted XI

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will lock horns at the newly adopted home ground of the Men in Yellow, as both the teams will look to get back on winning track.

Both the teams have lost their last match and would like to get the win under their belt.

Also Read: IPL 2018: Match 18: CSK vs RR – Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI

Chennai will play their first match at their new home ground in Pune. Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Tripathi and Mahendra Singh Dhoni had represented Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous season, and they would be playing on the same ground tonight.

Here is a look at the Predicted Playing XI of the Chennai Super Kings:

Shane Watson

The former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has been in fine form but could not give an ideal start to the team in the last match. Watson will like to make amends for his previous match.

Watson is also contributing with the ball, and it is always a positive sign for the Chennai franchise with his vast experience.

Murali Vijay

The Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay had to miss out in the first two matches of the season but could not hit the ground running against his former team KXIP.

The flamboyant batsman will like to find his form, as there is a lot of fight at the top of the order once Suresh Raina comes back in the team.

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu did a fine job while opening the batting with Shane Watson in the first two matches. Rayudu had to bat one down after Murali Vijay came back to the final XI.

Rayudu can also take the wicketkeeping duties if Dhoni only plays as a batsman. The Hyderabad batsman is thus far the leading run-getter for the Chennai franchise with 110 runs in the three matches.

Sam Billings

Sam Billings was able to turn the match on its head against Kolkata Knight Riders though he was not able to repeat the same magic against the Punjab franchise.

The England batsman is known to keep his shape while playing his shots and that is one of the keys to success in the shortest format of the game.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Doubts were hovering over the participation of Chennai’s captain, but batting coach Michael Hussey has confirmed the talisman will play.

Dhoni was once again able to show that why he is one of the best in the business as he was all but able to get Chennai over the line in the last match.

Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has been handed over the role of the finisher by his captain, but he hasn’t been able to do justice thus far. The southpaw is taking more time to settle, and one doesn’t have that luxury in the T20 form.

Dwayne Bravo

Bravo is more known for tight bowling in the death overs than his batting capabilities. He was able to pull off a magical knock in the opener of the season and should be promoted up the order.

Harbhajan Singh

The veteran Punjab player has all the experience under his belt, and he is making the most of it. The Turbanator has been able to scalp just two wickets in the three matches and has conceded runs at an economy of 8.25.

David Willey

The Chennai Super Kings might use the services of England seam bowling all-rounder David Willey for the first time.

Willey can swing the ball both ways, and he is also handy with the bat.

Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma can be drafted in place of Imran Tahir. The Indian leg-spinner has impressed in the previous seasons of the IPL and can be given his opportunity.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has been clocking high speed, and he would like to add more control to his armoury. The fast bowler is also utilizing the knuckleball to great effect.