IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra picks CSK’s ideal playing XI

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked the ideal eleven for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) going into the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). To start with, he named Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu as the openers. At number three, he picked South Africa’s Faf du Plessis. After Suresh Raina’s departure, the Super Kings were in a bit of dilemma regarding the no.3 spot.

But Du Plessis is capable and has batted at that position quite a few times, both in the IPL as well as for the Proteas at the highest level. At number four, Chopra picked up Kedar Jadhav, who didn’t have the best of seasons last time around. Aakash went for MS Dhoni at the number five slot. Dhoni hasn’t played any form of cricket since July 2019 and will be making his comeback to the sport.

But bearing in mind his experience and knowledge about the game, the now 39-year-old is expected to perform. As the all-rounders, Chopra’s choices were Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo. In the COVID-19 pandemic, Bravo has already started playing cricket, representing the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2020 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Aakash Chopra picks Ravindra Jadeja as the top performer

Chopra picked Piyush Chawla and Imran Tahir as the specialist spinners. The duo will have a task at hand since Harbhajan Singh has backed out from the tournament. Chawla has moved to the CSK after playing a few seasons for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur were Chopra’s choices as CSK’s fast bowlers.

CSK have been going through a rough patch of late. Apart from Raina and Harbhajan backing out, the Yellow Army have also faced troubles due to the coronavirus. But despite the hassles, Chopra believes that the team will qualify for the playoffs.

“I feel they will qualify for the playoffs even with all these things that have happened. And I am going to go with Ravindra Jadeja as their top performer for this IPL,” Chopra was quoted as saying in a video on his Facebook page.

Chopra’s ideal Chennai Super Kings playing XI: 

Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Imran Tahir, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur