IPL 2021: Match 53– Strongest Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted Playing XI against Punjab Kings (PBKS)

MS Dhoni’s men aiming to secure a top-two finish

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Chennai Super Kings
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Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

With an aim of securing a top-two finish, Chennai Super Kings will meet Punjab Kings in their last league-stage game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The encounter takes place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (October 7).  After enduring a horrendous campaign last season, MS Dhoni’s men made a stunning comeback and were the first team to qualify for playoffs this season.

Although the Men in Yellow have been phenomenal in IPL 2021, they have some issues to resolve after two successive defeats. While their bowlers were taken to cleaners against Rajasthan Royals, CSK suffered a batting failure against Delhi Capitals. Moreover, CSK must win this game to secure a top-two finish. However, it won’t be a bread and butter task for them as PBKS’ still have an outside chance of going to the next stage. Hence, it would be interesting to see how this game pans out.

Meanwhile, here’s the predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2021 Match 54:

Openers – Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad

The openers have been instrumental in CSK’s sensational campaign this season. Both Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad have scored heavy runs at the top, giving CSK stellar starts more often than not. While Du Plessis did the bulk of scoring in the first installment, Gaikwad overtook him in the UAE leg.

During his recent outing against RR, in fact, Gaikwad slammed his maiden IPL hundred. That knock also saw him becoming the first batter to cross 500 runs this season. At the same time, Faf du Plessis has also scored over 450 runs. Hence, PBKS’ new-ball bowlers have a job at hands.

Middle-order – Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu
MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

CSK’s middle-order might concern the team management ahead of the playoffs. Out-of-form Suresh Raina sustained a niggle ahead of the game against Delhi Capitals and Robin Uthappa was named as a replacement. Although Uthappa scored mere 19 runs, CSK aren’t likely to go back to Raina, who has been woefully out of form with the bat.

Ambati Rayudu scored a half-century against DC and it should bolster his confidence ahead of the playoffs. As far as Dhoni is concerned, it would be safe to say that the veteran is not the batter he was once. However, he continues to be a force to reckon with in the leadership and wicketkeeping department

All-rounders – Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo

Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter/IPL)

Like openers, the all-rounders should also be credited for CSK’s remarkable turnaround. Spin twins Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja have been a force to reckon with in all three departments. While the duo can choke the scoring rate in the middle overs, their big-hitting abilities have helped CSK consistently.

As far as Bravo is concerned, he has been MS Dhoni’s go-to man in the death overs. He takes wickets in that period alongside keeping the scoring rate down. He has also played some handy cameos.

Bowlers – Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood. (PhotoSource: Twitter)

The last three spots will be occupied by the pace trio of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, and Josh Hazlewood. Although all three are right-arm pacers, their skills offer several dimensions to the bowling attack. Chahar can make the new ball talk, extracting swing from the flattest of tracks.

At the same time, Hazlewood has some extra pace in his arsenal which can hurry down the batters. Thakur generally operates in the middle and death overs. Although he might not seem very lethal, his variations have been troubling batters in the UAE leg.

CSK’s Predicted XI for match 53 against PBKS: Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood

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