IPL 2018: Best Possible XI for Chennai Super Kings

The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League promises to be a bigger and grander event than all the previous editions. The mega auctions of the IPL 2018 have already rolled out and the biggest stars of the cricket world have gone under the hammer. Among the 8 franchises, the team that is set to grab quite some limelight is the Chennai Super Kings. The primary reason for this being their return to the IPL roster after two long years.

They have arguably been the most consistent side in the history of the tournament. In the first eight editions of the tournament in which they participated, they managed to make it to the playoffs in each one of them. They were ably led by the mastercraft of cricket leadership – MS Dhoni. And now, they are all set to entertain the fans under the same leader one more time.

At the auctions, the Chennai Super Kings did a fair job at selecting their players. One would wonder that the think tank missed the trick by not picking proper openers or quality pacers in their squad. However, the team would hope to get their combinations right on the match day. Here we try to pick the best possible combinations for Chennai Super Kings heading in to the IPL 2018.

Check out the Best XI of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2018:

Openers (Murali Vijay, Shane Watson)

The CSK camp will face some serious problems in picking up their openers the tournament. They have probably missed the trick by not picking up specialized openers in the sides. Albeit they have Sam Billings in the squad, they could possible still go ahead with someone like Murali Vijay ahead of Billings. The reason being the overseas restrictions.

Vijay has been a decent performer in the IPL and has two centuries for Chennai Super Kings as well. He was a last minute addition to the CSK team in the auctions this year. Alongside Vijay, Shane Watson could fit in the side as opener. Having Watson in the side could give an extra bowling option to the team as well.

Middle-Order (Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav)

In the middle-order Suresh Raina fits the list as the number three batsman. He has been a perennial performer for the Men in Yellow whilst batting at that position over the years. Raina, who has been in and out of the national side, would see this as a very good opportunity to be in the good books of the national selectors yet again.

South African skipper Faf du Plessis can make it to the side as the second overseas player. Du Plessis has been quite a good batsman in the middle-order. He can provide the stability to the side with his nonchalant batting style. He was retained by the Chennai Super Kings by the usage of RTM at the auctions.

Kedar Jadhava was the most expensive buy for the Chennai Super Kings at the auctions this year. Hence, one would want to believe that the team wanted to get his services dearly. Jadhav is in the team in the capacity of an all-rounder. He can chip in with a few crucial overs as well.

Wicketkeeper (MS Dhoni)

MS Dhoni is a direct starter in the CSK lineup. He is set to lead the team in the tournament. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, the Chennai franchise has lifted the trophy twice in the history of the game. Dhoni will be batting in the middle-order. It will be interesting to see if Dhoni promotes himself up the order in the tournament this year or does he continue to be in his finisher’s role.

All-rounders (Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja)

In the all-rounder department, the team is sure to field Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup. Jadeja was one of the three players retained by the franchise prior to the auctions. It is worth noting that Jadeja’s rise to prominence was after his stint with the CSK team. And now, he could use it as a ladder for his second coming as well.

The other all-rounder in the team is Dwayne Bravo. The veteran Caribbean player has been a wicket taking bowler in the IPL history. Having won the coveted Purple Cap as well, Bravo serves as a very good option with both the new and the old ball.

Spin bowlers (Karn Sharma)

Among the spinners, the camp could face some selection conundrums. They have named Harbhajan Singh in the side. But considering the fact that the leggies have found more success in the IPL and that the CSK camp have shelled out a big amount on Karn Sharma, it is likely that they will go ahead with his services. Also, Karn Sharma had better numbers than Harbhajan Singh for Mumbai Indians last year makes his resume a more attractive one.

Fast Bowlers (Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi)

After the auctions, many believed that the Chennai Super Kings missed the trick by not picking up quality fast bowlers in their lineup. But they did some good catch-up work to rope in a few bowlers on their side. Among the lot, South African speedster Lungi Ngidi looks like the brightest prospect.

CSK have the habit of unearthing international talents in pace bowling department over the years. Ngidi could do what Doub Bollinger did for CSK a few years ago. To give Ngidi company in the pace bowling department, Shardul Thakur looks like a direct starter in the playing eleven. He is the most experienced Indian fast bowler in the squad.

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