IPL 2019 – Match 50: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – CSK Predicted Playing XI

After winning seven out of their first eight games, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) created a massive gap in the points table. However, they seemed to have lost momentum in the last few games. In fact, they have been on the losing side in three out of their last four games. Moreover, two of those losses have been comprehensive ones as well.

CSK have also been jolted by the absence of their talismanic skipper MS Dhoni. He missed the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to back spasm and then he missed the last game due to fever and did not even travel to the ground. Suresh Raina led CSK in those games but they missed both Dhoni, the batsman and the keeper.

The Men in Yellow have qualified for the playoffs and are currently second on the points table. However, they will be looking to get back to winning ways before the playoffs and also, book a place in the top two so that they have two shots at the final. They next face Delhi Capitals in their final league game at home

Openers (Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis)

Barring the 96 he scored against Sunrisers Hyderabad a couple of matches ago, Shane Watson hasn’t really fired this season. He’s got a few decent starts but has failed to convert them. CSK have backed the former Aussie all-rounder and he will continue to open the batting.

Faf du Plessis sat out in the last game, owing to the balance of the side. However, he had a good hit in the nets ahead a couple of days ahead of the clash against Delhi. He started the tournament really well but has tapered off a little bit in the last couple of games. He is a big match player and CSK will be banking on him and Watson to provide some good starts in the last couple of games.

Middle order (Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, N Jagadeesan)

Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav have been disappointing this season. They have failed to live up to expectation and have poor returns so far. Raina has scored 247 runs in 12 innings while Rayudu has 213 runs in the same number of innings. Moreover, Rayudu’s strike-rate has been way below par. He is striking at 89.49 this season. Jadhav has scored just 162 runs and even he has a strike-rate of under 100.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni has been CSK’s best batsman this season so far. Despite playing just seven innings, he is their leading run-getter of the season. However, he hasn’t returned to the nets and may miss his third game this season. Narayn Jagadeesanmight slot in and don the gloves. He batted for a long time in the nets too. He is likely to replace Dhruv Shorey in the XI who was disappointing in the previous game.

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All-rounders (Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo)

Ravindra Jadeja also missed the last game due to illness. However, he was seen training with the team ahead of their clash against Delhi Capitals. Hence, he should make a comeback to the XI. He’s been decent with the ball, picking up 9 wickets in 11 games.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Bravo returned from a hamstring injury against RCB. However, he hasn’t looked at his best. He’s gone wicketless in the last couple of games and his form with the bat hasn’t been great either. But he has been CSK’s death bowler and they will be hoping that he finds his mojo back ahead of the playoffs.

Bowlers (Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir)

CSK’s bowling attack will continue to remain spin heavy as they play in Chepauk. However, Deepak Chahar has been in excellent form for them this season. With the new ball, he’s produced some really good spells. Unlike last year, this time Chahar has also bowled at the death and has been effective as well. He’s been CSK’s second highest wicket-taker this season (15 wickets).

Imran Tahir has played every game and has been really effective. He’s been one of the reasons for the team’s success this season as he has provided them with regular breakthroughs in the middle overs. Harbhajan Singh has been in and out of the side and has played according to the pitch conditions. He has played five out of his six games at the Chepauk. He has taken the new ball and has bowled well so far. CSK will continue to bank on him in the powerplay.

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