CSK Playing 11 vs RCB- IPL 2024, Match 1

Chennai Super Kings take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first game of IPL 2024 in Chennai. The first game is an 8 pm start after the opening ceremony. MS Dhoni is back at the helm once again after winning his fifth IPL title in 2023. In between he had a knee surgery and he is back and fit to lead the side once again.

CSK as always did very well at the auction looking to fill the loopholes. They added six players namely Rachin Ravindra (Rs. 1.8 crore), Shardul Thakur (Rs. 4 crore), Daryl Mitchell (Rs. 14 crore), Sameer Rizvi (Rs. 8.40 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (Rs. 2 crore), Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs. 20 lakh).

In what comes as a big blow to the franchise Devon Conway has been ruled out of the season with an injured thumb. He also missed the Australia Test matches presiding over the IPL 2024 as well. Mustafizur Rahman is yet to join the side. He was stretched off in the third ODI against Sri Lanka as he was unable to complete his over as he injured his left calf muscle in the third ODI.

The good thing with Chennai is that they always have ideal backups. Meanwhile, the severity of his injury is not yet known with CSK set to take on RCB in the campaign opener on Thursday. When he joins the side is another interesting observation.

Given that the first game is in Chepauk, CSK has two good spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana. They also have Moeen Ali in their ranks who can come in as the third spinner. CSK have everything covered heading into the IPL 2024 season opener. In this article, we take a look at their predicted XI.

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CSK Playing 11 vs RCB- IPL 2024, Match 1

Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)

Gaikwad will open the batting for CSK. In the absence of Devon Conway, who scored almost 700 runs for the Super Kings last year, Gaikwad becomes key at the top. He scored 590 runs in CSK’s title-winning campaign last season. The batter was announced the new CSK captain on Thursday after MS Dhoni decided to step down as the Chennai Super Kings captain.

Also read: CSK vs RCB Match Preview- IPL 2024, Match 1

Rachin Ravindra

Ravindra should open the batting for CSK. He is seen as an ideal replacement for CSK. He has flourished across formats as a player are really came to his own in the World Cup where he score tons of runs. He also gives Chennai an additional bowling option.

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane will slot in at three. He scored 326 runs for the Yellow Army at a strike rate of 172. He recently led Mumbai to their 42 Ranji Trophy title. Rahane is out of the Indian team since the WTC 2023 final. Whether he can replicate his batting form will be key.

Daryl Mitchell / Moeen Ali

Depending on the conditions and the opposition Chennai can choose between Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell at number four. Both are all-rounders with different skillset but equally effective. Mitchell recently had a brilliant World Cup in India.

Shivam Dube

Dubw will slot in at five. He scored 418 runs last year at a strike rate of 158.33 which earned him a national recall and he was also considered within the central contract list. This season is important for him with the T20 World Cup coming up.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has been key to CSK’s success over the years. He took 20 wickets last season. He is fresh off a brilliant series against England scoring over 200 runs with the bat and taking 19 wickets. Jadeja hit the winning runs in last year’s final.

MS Dhoni (WK)

Dhoni will bat at seven. He scored just over 100 runs last season but had the third-best strike rate of 182.46. His role is expected to be similar this year as well unless he decides to bat up the order. In a shocking and surprising move, MSD decided to step down as CSK captain a day before the match.

Shardul Thakur

Thakur was bought back by CSK for 4 crores. He did not have the best of seasons at KKR last year. He has performed his best for CSK in the IPL taking 55 wickets in 48 matches.

Deepak Chahar

Chahar will lead the pace attack. He missed IPL 2022 and picked up 13 wickets from 10 games last season. He last played for India in December 2023. He will look to have a big season with the T20 World Cup coming up.

Maheesh Theekshana

Theekshana can be the fourth spin option in the Xi and the second Sri Lankan in the XI alongside his Sri Lankan teammate Matheesha Pathirana. He picked 11 wickst in 13 matches last season. Post IPL 2023, he picked up 28 wickets in 25 matches at an economy of less than 7 and is in a purple patch at the moment.

Mustafizur Rahman

The Fizz concludes the likely CSK playing XI. He comes in as the death-over specialist. With reports of Matheesha Pathirana for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury, Mustafizur Rahman might play the first few games. He was recently stretched off in the third ODI against Sri Lanka. However, in a recent Twitter post he confirmed his arrival to India and might start from the very first game against RCB.

Impact Sub – Tushar Deshpande / Mukesh Choudhary

One of the two pacers can be the impact sub. Mukesh primarily bowls at the top while MS Dhoni used Tushar Deshpande as a death bowler specialist last season. Tushar picked 21 wickets last season while Mujesh picked up 16 wickets from 13 games in IPL 2022. He missed last season due to a stress fracture.

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