IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings strongest predicted playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be up against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 39th match of the IPL 2024. The match is set to take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on the 23rd of April 2024 at 7:30 PM (IST). In their most recent appearance, both sides took on each other at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. In a one-sided affair, LSG got the better of CSK and claimed an impressive win by 8 wickets.

Both teams have had a similar journey in the ongoing league so far. Both CSK and LSG have 4 wins in their 7 matches. CSK are placed better due to its better net run rate. While both CSK and LSG have 8 points to their name, LSG has a net run rate of +0.123, compared to +0.529 of CSK. LSG would be high on confidence having beaten CSK in their previous game convincingly. But CSK will be the favourites to win the match, given their unbeaten record at home.

LSG have some of the best players in the world in their lineup. Their top order has the likes of KL Rahul and Quinton De Kock, who have been good with the bat. They would love to be consistent in scoring runs. In the middle order, LSG have some great players like Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran, and Marcus Stoinis. In the bowling department, LSG have some good names like Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, Matt Henry, and Ravi Bishnoi. CSK need to be at their best to beat LSG. 

Click Here: CSK vs LSG Live Score, Match 39

Here is the strongest predicted playing XI of CSK for the game against LSG in the IPL 2024:

Openers - Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra

At the top of the order, CSK is likely to continue with the pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra. During the game against MI, CSK interchanged the batting positions of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahane. While the experiment has not been as fruitful as they would have liked, CSK is likely to continue with Rahane as the opener. The experienced batter can smash the bowlers early in the innings and make an impact with the bat from his end.

At the other end, CSK has a young batter like Rachin Ravindra. He was one of the main reasons for CSK winning their first two matches. However, the Kiwi batter has not been able to bat well since then. It is a matter of concern for CSK, as they have lost some of the matches in recent times. Ravindra needs to be backed well. In turn, he must reciprocate the confidence shown by the management with his batting performance. If necessary, he can bowl some overs.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Orange Cap

Middle Order - Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sameer Rizvi, and MS Dhoni (WK)

At number 3, Ruaturaj Gaikwad will bat. The star batter has had a mixed bag this season. He performed well in the game against KKR and MI. But in other games, the CSK skipper has not been at his best. Gaikwad's consistency is the key for CSK to proceed further in the league. He must improve as a skipper too. To follow him, CSK had an interesting option against LSG in the last game. They are likely to continue with a similar batting order in case of an early fall of wickets.

CSK has some good options in the lower middle order like Sameer Rizvi and MS Dhoni. Both of them are contrasting concerning age. However, both bat with the same intent of hitting boundaries at will. While Rizvi has not been able to replicate what he did in the UP T20 league, MS Dhoni has been brilliant as a batter. He has 87 runs at a strike rate of over 255 without getting dismissed. In the previous game against LSG, the 42-year-old smashed an unbeaten 28*(9) that included 2 sixes and 3 fours.

Also Check: Chennai vs Lucknow , Match 39 - MPL Opinio Prediction

All-Rounders - Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali

CSK has some of the best All-Rounders in the world. Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja are two of the best All-Rounders in the modern day. Moeen did not get many chances in the first 5 games for CSK. The Southpaw batted well in the last game against LSG, where he smashed 3 sixes in an over against Ravi Bishnoi. It must be enough for CSK to back him. Ravindra Jadeja was surprisingly promoted up the order against LSG. He batted at number 4 and scored a fifty.

In case of a collapse, CSK is likely to use Jadeja as a middle order batter up the order. In such cases, Shivam Dube will bat at number 5. In the last game, Dube did not bat well. Otherwise, he has been one of the best batters in the world. The Southpaw can smash both pacers and spinners well. If required, he can be handy with the ball. CSK has some good names in their lineup who can contribute as All-Rounders like Nishant Sidhu, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Mitchell Santner.

Bowlers - Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, and Matheesha Pathirana (Impact substitute)

CSK has a decent bowling lineup. In the powerplay overs, Deepak Chahar will take the new ball. He can swing the ball away from the right-handers. If required, he can deliver an over at the death. Deepak can also add some runs lower down the order. To partner him with the new ball is likely to be Tushar Deshpande. The emerging pacer can swing the ball away from the right-handers at a pace of over 140 kmph. Tushar can bowl an over at the death as well given his wide yorkers.

Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana will be the bowlers who operate in the middle and the death overs for CSK. While Mustfizur bowls an over each in the powerplay and the death overs, Pathirana is an out-and-out middle overs and death overs bowler. With his yorker at a great pacer, the unorthodox pacer can trouble the best batters in the world. The only concern with his bowling is the number of wides he delivers. Jadeja and Moeen will bowl in the middle overs. 

Also Check: Purple Cap in IPL 2024

CSK's playing  XI for the game against LSG -

Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Sameer Rizvi, MS Dhoni (WK), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman

Impact substitute - Matheesha Pathirana