Predicted XI of Chennai Super Kings for Match 6 of IPL 2023
MS Dhoni in action against GT (BCCI)
The Chennai Super Kings unit cannot seem to catch a break. After an underwhelming performance last year, they lost their IPL 2023 opener to defending champions Gujarat Titans.
Barring opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar, none of the CSK crew members stepped up in their clash against the Titans, as they went down by five wickets in the final over of the match.
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The MS Dhoni-led side will now look to put their campaign on course with their second match of the season, this time facing a confident Lucknow Super Giants side at home.
Ahead of the much-awaited contest, here at OneCricket we predict CSK’s strongest starting XI, along with five impact players.
Openers
Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad plays a shot against GT (Source: Twitter/IPLT20)
Gaikwad scored 92 off the team’s 178-run total against the Titans. He struck nine sixes in his 50-ball stay at the crease and kept up the scoring rate despite losing partners at the other end.
Devon Conway, on the other hand, was cleaned up by Mohammed Shami for just a run. The New Zealander is still expected to be given a longer run this season, considering his rich outing with the bat for CSK back in 2022.
Middle Order
Ambati Rayudu
CSK veteran Ambati Rayudu makes for an ideal number three for his side owing to his calculated approach towards batting. The cricketer also formed a 51-run stand with a raging Gaikwad in the previous game.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube’s hard-hitting abilities, along with his medium pacers gives MS Dhoni an ideal all-rounder choice in the middle order. In the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the left-hander played dazzling cameos for Mumbai throughout the season.
Moeen Ali
CSK’s English import Moeen Ali utilised the powerplay against Titans by whacking a rapid 23 at the top. While his bowling services were not utilised by Dhoni, his experience with right-arm offbreaks might come in handy against a strong LSG batting line-up.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes’ mere presence in any XI brings in loads of experience. The dynamic all-rounder may not be fit for bowling, as confirmed by CSK coach Stephen Fleming, but his batting pedigree holds a key in his side’s quest of rapid death overs runs.
Ravindra Jadeja
CSK’s all-round legend, Ravindra Jadeja, contended the Titans scoring rate from his end with the ball. He conceded just 28 runs off his four overs and dismissed in-form skipper Hardik Pandya cheaply.
MS Dhoni
Captain MS Dhoni unleashed fury at the death with his seven-ball 14* in CSK’s previous fixture. Clearly, the 41-year-old warhorse remains a figure to be reckoned with in the batting department.
Bowlers
Prashant Solanki
The pitch at Chepauk being spin friendly CSK will surely opt for another spinner besides Jadeja. But in this match they can go for Prashant Solanki, the young leg spinner instead of Mitchell Santner. This will allow them to bring in Pretorius into the equation if they are bowling second.
Deepak Chahar
International star Deepak Chahar returned with four wicketless overs against the Gujarat Titans. However, the speedster remains a vital cog in CSK’s pace department.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Hangargekar celebrates a wicket against GT (BCCI)
Uncapped cricketer Rajvardhan Hangargekar headlined CSK’s response against the defending champions. Making his IPL debut in the game, the 20-year-old bagged three Titans wickets, including that of opener Wriddhiman Saha.
Five Impact Players for CSK
Recent form, playing conditions and overall reputation combined, here we predict five impact players for the CSK.
Tushar Deshpande
Dwaine Pretorius
Ajinkya Rahane
Shaikh Rasheed
Michell Santner
 "Aakash Saini")
