5 Players who can open for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2020

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will commence on 29th March with the marquee clash between the Mumbai Indians(MI) and the Chennai Super Kings(CSK). With the IPL just a month and six days away all the eight franchises will be in search of the best possible combination of their respective sides to fight for the coveted IPL title. Chennai Super Kings have always depended on their powerful batting line ups to deliver the goods. Big guns like Matthew Hayden, Brendon McCullum, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Smith at the top have helped them post mammoth totals. Talking about the past couple of years, Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu have been their first-choice openers. Even though CSK is a pretty settled line up they have quite a few options in their ranks for that opening slot. Here are 5 players who can open for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2020: 1. Shane Watson Chennai Super Kings’ Shane Watson celebrates his half-century. (Photo by IANS) Shane Watson is arguably one of the best experienced openers in the limited overs format going around. He has the ideal package for white ball cricket. He has the power game, can handle pace and spin with equal ease. After CSK pouched him at the auctions in 2018, he silenced his critics by smashing a really handsome 555 runs in his CSK debut season. His exploits helped CSK reach previous two IPL finals, even winning one out of the two. The 37-year-old veteran battled bloodied knee in the 2019 IPL final against Mumbai Indians which CSK narrowly lost by 1 run despite Watson’s valiant efforts. Watson while opening has amassed 1908 runs at an average of 32.90 with a SR of 135.13 in the Indian Premier League. He has scored 8 half centuries and 4 centuries batting at the top. He was the second highest run getter (237 runs) in the 2019 Abu Dhabi T10 League. So, considering his aggression at the top, he seems set to retain his opening slot. 2. Murali Vijay Murali Vijay. (Photo: IANS) Murali Vijay made his IPL debut in 2009, where he played only four games. However, he was a vital cog in CSK’s successful 2010 where he amassed 458 runs to finish as the second highest run getter for his side. He was the Man of the Match in the 2011 IPL final for his 52 ball 95 which helped his team overcome RCB to clinch the title. Vijay has been successful at the top scoring 2542 runs at an average of 27.04 with a strike rate of 123.46 with his best being 127.He has 13 half centuries and 2 centuries while batting at the top. He formed a formidable opening partnership with Michael Hussey for the franchise and scored a good chunk of runs till the 2013 season. Barring a handful of limited overs matches for Tamil Nadu and sporadic appearances in the TNPL, Vijay has mostly been a spectator when it comes to white ball cricket in the last couple of years. He will be hoping to rekindle his lost T20 magic with CSK in the upcoming IPL season. The CSK team management will surely consider him at some point in the tournament. 3. Faf du Plessis Faf du Plessis of Chennai Super Kings. (Photo by IANS) An orthodox, all conditions technique and a dogged approach at the crease makes him an asset in the age of T20 cricket. Though Faf did not get many outings in the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiants squad, but has performed quite well with the limited opportunities he has got at CSK due to injuries and national team duties in the last couple of years. The South African has opened in 39 innings for CSK scoring 1257 runs at an average of 34.92 with a SR of 128.92 with his best being 96. His Mzansi Super League record is impressive as well, where he scored 537 runs in 18 matches at an average of 38.35 with an impressive strike-rate of 145.13. His ability to maneuver the ball against spin at the slow Chennai makes him a good contender for the opening slot. But since CSK has bought two overseas pacers in Hazlewood and Curran, it will be interesting to see the CSK team management’s decision. 4. Ruturaj Gaikwad MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo Source: Twitter) Ruturaj Gaikwad has been making the news for all the good reasons. He has been a prolific run getter for his state side Maharashtra in all forms of the game. He has moved up the ranks to become an India A regular on the back of some impressive performances for Maharashtra in 2018-19. Ruturaj was the second-highest run getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019 scoring 419 runs at an impressive average of 41.90 with a blistering strike rate of 146.50. His consistent performances in this tournament helped Maharashtra reach the super league stage. He warmed the bench entire last season as he could not find a place in the Chennai Super Kings’ Playing XI. However, this time around it would be extremely difficult for the CSK team management to neglect him considering his recent performances in the shortest version of the game. 5. Sam Curran Sam Curran. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) A diminutive, mild-looking left-arm seamer whose natural angle helps him seam the ball away from the right handers, he doubles up as an able batsman lower down the order and given the ease with which he bats, it could soon become his primary skill. In the only opening opportunity, he was given last season against Delhi Capitals, he scored a quickfire 20 off 10 balls at a staggering strike-rate of 200. He propelled KXIP to 183/6 against KKR with unbeaten 55 off just 24 balls at a strike-rate of 229.16 after being 151-6 at the 18th over mark. His tournament SR was 172.73 with his best being 55* CSK could use him as a pinch hitter to take advantage of the first six overs restrictions and he can be utilized efficiently by the MS Dhoni-led side.

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5 Players who can open for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2020

Chennai Super Kings have always depended on their powerful batting line ups to deliver the goods

5. Sam Curran

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