IPL 2023 | Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals

image-lgxqp0pfCSK players celebrate a wicket (IPLT20.COM)

Chennai Super Kings have registered three thumping wins in their last three fixtures, with their most recent one coming against the KKR with a 49-run margin. At the halfway stage of the IPL 2023 season, the MS Dhoni-led side find themselves at the top of the points table, having secured five wins and just two defeats from their seven games.

They will now face Rajasthan Royals in a return fixture, set to be played in Jaipur on April 27.

Ahead of the much-awaited contest, here at OneCricket we predict Chennai Super Kings strongest starting XI, along with five impact players.

Openers

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad launched his IPL 2023 campaign with scores of 92, 57 and 40* in his first three innings. The cricketer also notched up notable match-winning powerplay knocks in his side’s subsequent fixtures.

Meanwhile, his opening partner Devon Conway is currently second in race for the ‘Orange Cap’. The New Zealander, with four successive half-centuries, is just a fifty away from levelling an all-time IPL record.

Middle Order

Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni

image-lgxqtikcRahane steps out against KKR (IPLT20.COM)

Ajinkya Rahane has enthralled fans this season like no other, marking a second coming for himself through his first gig at CSK. Known for traditional approach towards batting, the Indian veteran has minted runs at dynamic strike-rates throughout the tournament.

Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja have also charted explosive cameos for their side in the death overs. Captain MS Dhoni himself has made his presence felt, even though the veteran wicketkeeper has confined himself to sporadic appearances in the batting order.

While Moeen Ali is yet to have a proper crack with the bat this season, the all-rounder’s mere presence in the middle-order provides an additional bowling option for his captain.

Bowlers

Akash Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana

CSK’s uncapped Indian speedsters Akash Singh and Tushar Deshpande have commanded their new-ball attack ever since Deepak Chahar’s untimely injury within the camp. Having made it into CSK’s playing XI in their previous four games, Singh has already added five wickets to his tally. Meanwhile, Deshpande with 12 is just a couple of wickets away from current ‘Purple Cap’ holder Rashid Khan.

Young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who has modelled his bowling action after great Lasith Malinga, has also come up trumps for the ‘Yellow Brigade’ this season. He along with fellow Lankan national Maheesh Theekshana will likely constitute CSK’s bowling unit against the Royals, considering the off-spinner has also impressed one-and-all with his tight spells.

Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni (c), Akash Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.

Impact Players

Ambati Rayudu

Sisanda Magala

Mitchell Santner

Dwaine Pretorius

Shaik Rasheed