IPL 2018: Best IPL XI that can beat the Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful IPL teams ever. They are often regarded as a side to beat and never fail to pick good and balanced squads. CSK won the IPL thrice in 9 years now and have made it to the final 7 times. These statistics prove the fact as to why they are regarded as such a dominant team.

They emerged as the champions in IPL 2018 and just lost 5 games throughout the season out of the 16 games that were played. Two of these five games were quite close and could have gone either way. They were not easy to defeat and seemed to be quite a well-rounded side. Chennai Super Kings had a new match-winner in every game and it was tough to predict which player would go well.

Hence, to beat such a champion side as this, we need to have an equally competitive XI as well. So, here is the best IPL XI that could give a stern competition to Chennai Super Kings and defeat them. Note that the side has been picked keeping Chennai Super Kings strengths in mind and also based on player stats for 2018.

1. KL Rahul | Kings XI Punjab

KL Rahul has started his IPL journey in 2015 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad and has come a long way since then. He is one of the most elegant yet destructive T20 players around the world. KL is one of the sweetest timers of the cricket ball and has the ability to send the ball into the orbits with a mere punch. He has carried the responsibilities of the KXIP batting lineup almost single-handedly this season and it is a pity that no one else could support him.

IPL 2018 was probably one of KL Rahul‘s best season thus far. He was consistent, scored at a good rate and was very clinical with the gloves. Although he doesn’t have to keep in this XI, he will be the most important batsman and is expected to bat through the innings. KL has scored 659 runs in 14 games this season at an average close to 55 and has also struck IPL’s fastest 50 ever this season. He was unfortunate not to have got to 100 despite getting to the 90’s twice.