IPL 2023: Match 6, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted Playing XI vs Lucknow Super Giants

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a defeat in their Indian Premier League 2023 campaign opener at the hands of defending champions Gujarat Titans when the two sides locked horns at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Though the cheers at the venue were majorly inclined towards the MS Dhoni-led side, the Men in Yellow could not showcase any change in their form from previous season.

Check here 👉 Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants, Match 6 - Live Cricket Score

Having started their campaign with a loss, CSK would be gunning for a victory to get going in the IPL 2023 points table. They will likely continue with the same combination but will hope to rework a bit on their strategies ahead of their second game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are coming off a massive victory in their first game.

CSK suffered several defeats last season, which is why they would not want a repeat of the same this time. The team needs to get back to winning ways so as to get over the past season and mark their arrival in the ongoing season in style. They would not want another defeat in the r bag, and the players will look to give their best so as to get over the recent loss.

Here’s Chennai Super Kings’ predicted XI against Lucknow Super Giants:

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

Ruturaj Gaikwad looked in fine touch with the bat in the previous game when he opened the batting for his side. The 26-year-old was dismissed in his nervous nineties as he notched up 92 runs off 50 deliveries, thereby handing CSK the perfect start. He would be expected to repeat similar heroics and make the most of the team’s home ground- Chepauk.

Devon Conway could not create an impact in the previous game as the Kiwi star was dismissed cheaply, scoring just one run off six deliveries. But he had shown his batting prowess last year and had put up some terrific knocks for the team. CSK have two strong players as their opening batters and would expect Conway to be at his best.

Middle-order: Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ben Stokes

CSK’s middle order comprises three powerful batters, who have the potential to change the face of the game in no time. Moeen Ali has been CSK’s mainstay for the past couple of years, but he has not received an opportunity to showcase his bowling skills often. With the bat, he has been destructive and showcased a glimpse of the same in the first game with his 17-ball 23.

CSK used Ambati Rayudu’s services in the first innings while batting first in the previous game, and replaced him with Tushar Deshpande as the seamer joined in the second innings. Rayudu started off well and also hit a six, but was dismissed by Joshua Little scoring a run-a-ball 12 runs. The senior pro has proven to be a vital cog for the side and will be hoping to spend a longer time at the crease this time.

Ben Stokes made his debut for CSK in the previous game. The costliest buy for CSK at the IPL 2023 auction, the all-rounder was not able to stand up to the team and the fans’ expectations. Though he started his innings off with a boundary, he could not hold his place on the crease for a long time as Rashid Khan dismissed him. Stokes would want to work on his mistakes from the past and put up a memorable performance for the Yellow Army.

All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk)

Shivam Dube’s biggest advantage is his height, which helps him go for the big shots with ease. In the previous game too, he hit a 97-meter long six off Mohammed Shami’s fiery delivery. He showed why he is a dependable player in the line-up and hence, the team will continue to have his services in the upcoming game as well as the all-rounder would hope to score more and contribute with the ball wherever necessary.

Ravindra Jadeja was brilliant with the ball, but could not make a mark in the second innings, with the ball, in the last game. He fell prey to Alzarri Joseph on just the second delivery that he faced in the game as he mistimed the shot and was caught by Vijay Shankar at deep mid-wicket. He picked up Hardik Pandya’s wicket in the previous game at a crucial point and will surely be the one to look out for going forward.

There were questions raised on MS Dhoni’s captaincy as he was under the scanner after CSK lost the contest against Gujarat Titans. But the veteran proved why he is dubbed as one of the best finishers in world cricket. Coming to bat during the final stages of the game, he hit a six and a four off consecutive deliveries in the final over and helped the team cross the 170-run mark.

Bowlers: Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Mitchell Santer’s performance in the previous game was not up to the mark as the spinner failed to grab a wicket and conceded 32 runs in his four-over spell. Though he was outstanding on the field and helped Rajvardhan Hangargekar get the wicket of Vijay Shankar with a brilliant piece of fielding, the team would want him to showcase his spin skills in Chennai.

Deepak Chahar finally made his return to the CSK team after missing out on the entire IPL 2022 last season. The team knew he was a vital component for the side and hence roped him in for INR 14 crore at the mega auction last year but he was ruled out due to an injury. He could not pick a wicket in the previous game but proved to be a tad bit costly with the ball, conceding 29 runs in four overs.

Rajvardhan Hangargekar, after spending the entire IPL 2022 on the bench in the CSK camp, marked his entry in style as he picked up three crucial wickets. Though his economy rate was on the higher end, he registered figures of 3/36 in four overs. In the next game, the youngster would be aiming to repeat similar heroics with the ball, but will also try and work on his line and length so as to keep the batter in check.

CSK Predicted XI:

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar

Probable Impact Players:

Simarjeet Singh, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Ajinkya Rahane, Nishant Sindhu