IPL 2022: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11, MS Dhoni’s Team’s Strengths and Weaknesses

IPL 2022: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11, MS Dhoni’s Team’s Strengths and Weaknesses

New Delhi, March 22: In the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, Mahendra Singh Dhoni will once again head the holders Chennai Super Kings. On March 26 at the famous Wankhede Stadium, they will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against last year’s finalists Kolkata Knight Riders.

The four-time winners kept or purchased back the core players from their title-winning campaign in the IPL 2021 season.

The Yellow Brigade will be hoping for another encore this season under MS Dhoni’s guidance and the participation of certain key players. The Chennai-based franchise, on the other hand, is up against a few obstacles this time around.

The following are Chennai Super Kings’ strengths, weaknesses, and best-predicted playing eleven for the fifteenth edition of the domestic T20 league:

Strengths:

MS Dhoni: The franchise has decided to keep the iconic captain on board once more. The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman has served as both a pillar of strength and a superb strategist for the squad.

After a disappointing 2020 season in which the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, MS Dhoni rallied his troops and guided them to yet another title victory.

The former India cricketer demonstrated that he is still one of the best captains in the game with his strategies. Dhoni’s presence will once again have a calming impact on his colleagues, allowing them to maintain their composure in high-pressure situations.

The 40-year-old has been sweating it out in the nets in Surat and would be trying to win three to four games in the Indian-hosted tournament.

Strengths

Strong batting line-up:

The batting line-up of the Chennai Super Kings has several proven match-winners, which makes them a threatening team.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, and MS Dhoni are among the team’s match-winners in the batting order.

Except for Conway, who was recruited to the side this year, all of these players have shown their promise in the T20 format throughout the years, while everyone else played a key role in the team’s title success the previous season.

The senior New Zealand batter comes in as a like-for-like replacement for Faf du Plessis – who will now be leading Royal Challengers Bangalore

The organisation features several strong all-rounders in Shivam Dube, Chris Jordan, Mitchell Santner, and Deepak Chahar who can be deployed as replacements.

Strengths

Quality spin attack:

Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Mitchell Santner, and Sri Lankan off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana are all quality spinners for the Super Kings.

While Jadeja and Ali will be in the starting XI on a regular basis, Santer and Theekshana may not be automatic inclusions and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Santner and Theekshana, on the other hand, are experienced match-winners, and captain Dhoni will aim to maximise their potential.

Weakness:

Deepak Chahar’s absence:

Deepak Chahar, the squad’s strike pacer, suffered an injury ahead of the event, dealing the team a huge setback. Before regaining his fitness, the right-arm seamer is expected to miss the first phase of the tournament.

Captain Dhoni would have to rely on either KM Asif or Tushar Deshpande in Chahar’s absence. Along with Bravo, Shivam Dube, and promising India U19 pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar, New Zealand quick Adam Milne will be responsible for CSK’s pace assault.

It would be difficult for Dhoni to compensate for the loss of Chahar, who was the team’s most expensive purchase in the IPL auction last month. Chahar’s absence makes it difficult for CSK’s skipper to field a strong Indian pace assault.

Weakness:

Form of MS Dhoni – the batter

While Dhoni the skipper appears to be in good form, the batter Dhoni’s form will be a source of concern. Because the former India cricketer only plays in the IPL, it will be difficult for him to bat like he used to.

Dhoni must win some games with his batting, or else he would become a major liability for the club.

Possible CSK XI:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Ambati Rayudu, 4. Moeen Ali, 5. Ravindra Jadeja, 6. MS Dhoni, 7. Shivam Dube, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Adam Milne, 10. Deepak Chahar (if available)/KM Asif, 11. Rajvardhan Hangargekar/Tushar Deshpande

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