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

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be up against each other in the 34th match of the IPL 2024. Both teams will be looking forward to the match which is crucial in terms of the standings in the points table. CSK won their previous match against MI by 20 runs. The knocks from Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and MS Dhoni helped CSK to clinch a brilliant win. With the ball, Matheesha Pathirana bowled a terrific spell and became the Player of the match.

LSG did not have a good game against KKR. They lost by 8 wickets to the 2-time champions and did not even compete. A brilliant knock from Phil Salt took the game away from the visiting side completely. After winning 3 of their first 4 games, LSG have lost back-to-back matches in the league. They will be desperate for a win against the 5-time champions. Against a side like CSK, one must be at their best to claim a win. There would be no room for errors at any stage of the game.

Both teams have some of the best players in the world in their lineup. LSG has a good set of players. At the top of the order, they have the likes of KL Rahul, Quinton De Kock, and Devdutt Padikkal. To follow them in the middle order, LSG has some good players like Krunal Pandya, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda, and so on. LSG's bowling attack comprises of talented bowlers like Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, and so on. 

Click Here: LSG vs CSK Live Score, Match 34

Here is the predicted playing XI of CSK for the game against LSG in the 34th match of the IPL 2024:

Openers - Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)

At the top of the order, CSK is likely to continue with Rachin Ravindra despite his failures in the last four games. The star batter can smash the bowlers early in the innings. He probably needs a bit of confidence to be back to his best form. The Kiwi batter needs to show intent without worrying about results. In the first two matches, he batted with aggression and took the game away from their opponents in the first 6 overs. If necessary, he can bowl a few overs.

To partner him at the other end, CSK has options like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane. In the last game against MI, CSK experimented with Rahane as the opener. It worked to an extent, as Gaikwad was able to bat well at number 3. But Rahane could not fire. Hence, CSK is likely to go back to their initial XI. Gaikwad will open the innings for CSK. The star batter returned to form against MI which would have given him a lot of confidence. He has been good as the captain.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Most Runs - Orange Cap Updated List 

Middle order - Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, and MS Dhoni (WK)

At number 3, Rahane is likely to bat. After having a bad outing against MI, he is likely to be demoted down the order. The 35-year-old needs to bat the way he did in the last season. If he can gain a similar form, CSK will be highly beneficial. The defending champions have a great set of All-Rounders to follow Rahane. In the lower middle order, CSK has the likes of Sameer Rizvi and MS Dhoni who can finish the innings well. They can bat with intent and provide the much-needed impetus.

Rizvi started his IPL career on a good note by smashing a six on the very first ball of his career against a world-class bowler like Rashid Khan. Since then, the youngster has not gotten enough opportunities to prove himself. If he gets an opportunity, Rizvi would be willing to give his best. MS Dhoni will be the finisher and the wicketkeeper in the side. Against MI, he smashed 20*(4) which was very handy for CSK. Eventually, MI ended up losing the match by 20 runs. 

Also Check: Lucknow vs Chennai, Match 34 - MPL Opinio Prediction

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

In the All-Rounders department, CSK has some of the best in the world. They have a middle-order batter like Shivam Dube who has been one of the best in his role with the bat in the last three seasons. The star batter has won a lot of matches for CSK. If necessary, he can be handy with his bowling. To follow him, CSK has some world-class players like Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja. Given the failures of Daryl Mitchell in the season so far, Moeen is likely to replace him in the side. 

The English player bowls well on slow pitches. He is accurate and does not give room for the batters. If the batters wish to take risks, he can claim wickets too. As a batter, he can bat anywhere from number 3 to number 7. He brings the balance to the side. CSK has Ravindra Jadeja as the key All-Rounder. With the ball, he hardly concedes an expensive spell. With the bat, he can be handy with cameos lower down the order. The 35-year-old needs to improve his batting. 

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

CSK's bowling unit does not look that threatening on paper but has always punched above their weight. In the powerplay overs, CSK has a weapon like Deepak Chahar who can claim early wickets. He can deliver an over outside the powerplay too. To support him at the other end will be Tushar Deshpande. The right-arm pacer is expensive but claims important wickets. He can operate at a pace of over 140 kmph and swing the ball away from the right-handers.

Tushar can bowl an over at the death. Shardul Thakur played the last game in the absence of Deepak Chahar. The right-arm pacer bowled a couple of important overs. But the return of Deepak might force him out of the side. Mustafizur will be the key for CSK in all the phases. CSK's most lethal weapon so far has been Matheesha Pathirana. The right-arm pacer has nailed yorkers for fun. The unorthodox pacer singlehandedly won the match for CSK with his bowling against MI. 

Also Check: IPL 2024 Most Wickets - Purple Cap Updated List

CSK's predicted XI against LSG: 

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

Impact substitute - Matheesha Pathirana