IPL 2023: Best Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Playing XI For The Tournament

IPL 2023: Best Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Playing XI For The Tournament.  CSK made their biggest purchase in IPL history by signing Ben Stokes for a whopping INR 16.25 crore in IPL 2023 auction. CSK entered the IPL 2023 auction with a purse of INR 20.45 crore and seven slots to fill, including two overseas slots.

They also roped in Ajinkya Rahane, who put up some competitive performances last year while representing KKR. With Robin Uthappa exiting the scenario, getting Ajinkya Rahane into the team was a very tactical move.

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Kyle Jamieson, a New Zealand pacer was bought by Chennai Super Kings during IPL 2023 auction. The franchise spent Rs. 1 crore to grab the Kiwi player into their squad. The Kiwi pacer was not part of IPL 2022. In IPL 2021 season, he played 9 matches for RCB. He scalped 9 wickets in 9 games at an average of 29.88.

MS Dhoni’s side put one eye on the future and got U19 stars Shaik Rasheed and Nishant Sindhu to join Rajvardhan Hangargekar. Ajay Mandal and Bhagath Varma wrapped up the buys as CSK finished the auction.

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Players bought at the 2023 auction: Ajinkya Rahane (INR 50 lakh), Ben Stokes (INR 16.25 crore), Shaik Rasheed (INR 20 lakh), Nishant Sindhu (INR 60 lakh), Kyle Jamieson (INR 1 crore), Ajay Mandal (INR 20 lakh), Bhagath Varma (INR 20 lakh).

Chennai Super Kings Squad: MS Dhoni (c), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Chowdhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Kyle Jamieson, Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma.

IPL 2023: Best Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Playing XI For The Tournament 

Devon Conway

Devon Conway was retained by CSK as well. In the IPL 2022 edition, he initially missed some matches due to his wedding but made a terrific comeback in the latter half of the season.

Devon Conway ended the IPL 2022 season with 252 runs in seven appearances at an average of 42 at a strike rate of 145.66, with three fifties. He is expected to open in IPL 2023.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad started his IPL career in IPL 2020¸ wherein he contributed 204 runs in six innings and confirmed his place in the subsequent season. The IPL 2021 season witnessed Ruturaj Gaikwad at his career-best form in the T20s. He slammed 635 runs at an average of 45.35 and won the orange cap. Furthermore, his performance helped CSK to lift the title as well.

In the previous edition- IPL 2022, Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t start well but picked up form in the latter half. The opener scored 368 runs, with a top score of 99, and was retained ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. He is expected to open in IPL 2023.

Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali switched to Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021 and has been contributing to the team’s success in both departments since then. The 35-year-old has played 25 games for CSK in the last two years while scoring 602 runs and picking 14 wickets.

He will be a key man in the top order for skipper MS Dhoni and a floater with the ball, with an optimum experience in IPL. He is expected to bat at No. 3 in IPL 2023.

Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has been a consistent performer for the CSK team and has played a crucial role in the team’s success in the IPL. In the IPL 2018 season, he was the leading run-scorer for CSK, scoring 602 runs in 16 matches at an average of 43.00.

Although Ambati Rayudu scored at an average of 24.91 in IPL 2022, CSK trusted his experience and track record to retain him ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. He is expected to bat at No. 4/ No. 5 in IPL 2023. He had played 74 matches for CSK and amassed 1774 runs averaging 32.25.

Ben Stokes

The exciting all-rounder, Ben Stokes has finally returned to the IPL after injuring himself in the IPL 2021 while playing for Rajasthan Royals. This year has been terrific for him as England’s Test captain and batter. Moreover, his approach to the game has brought new life to the English team. Ben Stokes’ knock of 52* off 49 helped the Three Lions secure a title victory in the T20 World Cup 2022 against Pakistan in the final.

In 43 IPL games, Ben Stokes has garnered 920 runs and scalped 28 wickets. With experience in handling crunch moments, the 31-year-old all-rounder can steer the team at a brisk rate and can provide a flourish in the slog overs. Moreover, he could be looked at as a future captain of CSK with MS Dhoni likely to hang his boots. He is expected to bat at No. 4/ No. 5 in IPL 2023.

MS Dhoni (c, wk)

MS Dhoni will possibly be playing his last Indian Premier League season. Although the team could not do well in the last IPL 2022 edition, the captain would want a roaring comeback from his team in IPL 2023. He is expected to keep wickets and lead the side in IPL 2023.

So far, the 41-year-old keeper has garnered 4978 runs in 234 IPL appearances at an average of 39.20, with 24 fifties. For CSK, he had scored 4404 runs in 204 matches averaging 40.4. However, the last few editions have been a little average for MS Dhoni – the batter. He scored runs at an average of 33.14, 16.28, and 25.00 in 2022, 2021, and 2020 seasons.

Ravindra Jadeja

In a total of 210 IPL games, Ravindra Jadeja has scored 2502 runs and bagged a total of 132 wickets. Out of them, he has represented the Chennai-based franchise in 142 games and is already a legend for them. He had scored both his fifties for CSK amassing 1440 runs averaging 26.67 and taking 105 wickets averaging 27.88.

Ahead of the IPL 2022 edition, he was handed an opportunity to lead the side. However, he could only help the team to taste victories on two out of eight occasions. He then passed over the baton once again to MS Dhoni. Moreover, the 34-year-old all-rounder could not play the last four matches due to an injury. He will be a spin all-round option in IPL 2023.

Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube represented Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022 and scored 289 runs averaging 28.9 in 11 games including 2 fifties but was wicketless. Shivam Dube’s sensational knock of 95* off 46 came against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, he had a few low scores in the subsequent games, which led to his ouster from the XI. With Ben Stokes’ arrival in the team setup, his place in the XI is doubtful for the IPL 2023 edition.

Deepak Chahar

In 63 IPL games, Deepak Chahar has scalped 59 wickets at an efficient economy of 7.80. For Chennai Super Kings, he picked 58 scalps in as many games averaging 27.71.

With an improved ability to contain runs in the death overs, he is expected to be the backbone of CSK’S bowling unit. However, the pace bowler is often struggling with injury concerns. He was missed dearly in the IPL 2022 edition while succumbing to hamstring and back injuries.

Earlier this month as well, the 30-year-old pacer pulled his hamstring during the ODI series against Bangladesh and is out of action.

Maheesh Theekshana

Kyle Jamieson, the Kiwi pacer will fight for a place in the XI with Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana. The Sri Lankan spinner played his only season in 2022 and picked 12 scalps in 9 matches averaging 21.75 with a best of 4/33 for Chennai Super Kings.

Kyle Jamieson also played his only IPL season in 2022 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking 9 scalps in as many games averaging 29.89.

Mukesh Choudhary

Mukesh Choudhary, the 26-year-old CSK left-arm medium pacer has played 13 matches for CSK in 2022 and picked 16 scalps averaging 26.5 with a best of 4/46. Although his economy of 9.32 was on the higher side, he is expected to retain his place in the CSK XI in IPL 2023.

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