IPL 2023: Best starting playing XI of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after mini auction

Chennai Super Kings, the most consistent side with 11 playoff appearances in 15 editions of the Indian Premier League made it big in the IPL 2023 Auction. They released eight players ahead of the auction and had to focus specifically on the all-rounders and top-order batters. After the auction, the MS Dhoni-led side is looking good in terms of experience, while the gaps were also filled by their recruits on D-day. The most prominent pick by the team was England red-ball captain Ben Stokes, followed by Kyle Jamieson and Ajinkya Rahane. Here is the best possible CSK XI for the 2023 edition of IPL: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad The proficient batter at the top order, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been churning out runs consistently for CSK in the last few editions. He started his IPL career in 2020¸ wherein he contributed 204 runs in six innings and confirmed his place in the subsequent season. The 2021 season witnessed Gaikwad at his career-best form in the T20s. He slammed 635 runs at an average of 45.35 and won the orange cap. Furthermore, his performance helped CSK to lift the title as well. In the previous edition, Gaikwad didn't start well but picked up form in the latter half. He scored 368 runs, with a top score of 99 and was retained ahead of the 2023 auction. 2. Devon Conway Conway made his international debut for New Zealand in November 2020 and has had a successful start to his career. He has scoredheavily in both Test and One Day International cricket with averages of 51 and 42.50 respectively. Also, he holds an average of 48.75 in the shortest format and was retained by CSK as well. In the 2022 edition, he initially missed some matches due to his wedding, but made a terrific comeback in the latter half of the season. Conway ended the season with 252 runs in seven appearances at an average of 42 at a strike rate of 145.66, with three fifties. He is expected to be playing an anchor role for CSK in this season. 3. Moeen Ali Moeen Ali has been playing in the IPL since 2018 while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2018 to 2020. He then switched to Chennai Super Kings in 2021 and has been contributing to the team's success in both departments since then. Moeen is known for his ability to score runs quickly and bail the team out of trouble. He is also a useful bowler and is capable of picking up wickets at crunch moments. The left-hander is a valuable player in the shorter format of the game and is highly sought after in franchise leagues around the world. The 35-year-old has played 25 games for CSK in the last two years while scoring 602 runs and picking 14 wickets. He will be a key man in the top order for skipper Dhoni and a floater with the ball, with an optimum experience in IPL. 4. Ambati Rayudu In the IPL, Ambati Rayudu has played for the Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the Chennai Super Kings. He has been a consistent performer for the CSK team and has played a crucial role in the team's success in the IPL. In the 2018 season, he was the leading run-scorer for CSK, scoring 602 runs in 16 matches at an average of 43.00. Rayudu is known for his solid technique and his ability to score runs at a good pace. He is an important member of the CSK team and is expected to continue playing a key role for the team in the future. Although Rayudu scored at an average of 24.91 in 2022, CSK trusted his experience and track record to retain him ahead of the auction. With more than 5800 runs in the shortest format, the middle-order batter will look to end his IPL career on a high. 5. Ben Stokes The exciting all-rounder, Ben Stokes has finally returned to the IPL after injuring himself in the IPL 2021. This year has been terrific for him as England's Test captain and a batter. He has led England to nine wins out of their last 10 games in the longest format. Moreover, his approach to the game has brought new life to the English team. Stokes’ knock of 52* off 49 helped the Three Lions secure a title victory in the T20 World Cup. In 43 IPL games, Stokes has garnered 920 runs and scalped 28 wickets. With experience in handling crunch moments, the 31-year-old can steer the team at a brisk rate and can provide a flourish in the slog overs. Moreover, he could be looked at as a future captain of CSK with MS Dhoni likely to hang his boots. 6. MS Dhoni (c & wk) The key architect of CSK, MS Dhoni will possibly be playing his last Indian Premier League season. Although the team could not do well in the last edition, the captain would want a roaring comeback from his team in 2023. So far, the 41-year-old has garnered 4978 runs in 234 IPL appearances at an average of 39.20, with 24 fifties. However, the last few editions have been a little average for Dhoni - the batter. He scored runs at an average of 33.14, 16.28 and 25.00 in 2022, 2021 and 2020 seasons. In this season, Dhoni is likely to remain at the six or seventh positions, with Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja as the quality batters. As a result, he will be donning the role of a finisher in the 2023 edition. 7. Ravindra Jadeja The skilful all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja has been a top performer in both departments for CSK since the last decade. In a total of 210 IPL games, Jadeja has scored 2502 runs and bagged a total of 132 wickets. Out of them, he has represented the Chennai-based franchise in 142 games and is already a legend for them. Ahead of the 2022 edition, he was handed an opportunity to lead the side. However, he could only help the team to taste victories on two out of eight occasions. He then passed over the baton once again to Dhoni. Moreover, the 34-year-old could not play the last four matches due to injury. Jadeja last played in the international circuit in 2022 and underwent knee surgery. He is likely to return to the field soon and the franchise will hope to get him back for the entire season. 8. Shivam Dube Shivam Dube is yet to prove himself in the Indian Premier League. Although he has had terrific starts in a few seasons, he often fails in the other half of that particular edition. The last edition of the IPL witnessed him going all guns blazing against several oppositions. Shivam’s sensational knock of 95* off 46 came against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, he had few low scores in the subsequent games, which led to his ouster from the XI. With Stokes’ arrival in the team setup, his place in the XI is doubtful for the 2023 edition. Nevertheless, the team can go with him as a floater and a handy bowler. 9. Deepak Chahar The finest exponent of the new ball in the powerplay overs, Deepak Chahar will be a crucial player for CSK. Chahar’s ability to bowl enticing lines and lengths, while getting purchase from the surface is second to none in T20s. However, the bowler is often struggling with injury concerns. He was missed dearly in the 2022 edition while succumbing to hamstring and back injuries. Earlier this month as well, the 30-year-old pulled his hamstring during the ODI series against Bangladesh and is out of action. In 63 IPL games, Chahar has scalped 59 wickets at an efficient economy of 7.80. With an improved ability to contain runs in the death overs, he is expected to be the backbone of CSK’S bowling unit. 10. Mukesh Choudhary The left-arm pacer was impressive in his debut IPL season last year, wherein he managed to contain the batters and take wickets consistently. However, Mukesh Choudhary started on a bad note, but his performance improved as the season progressed. The youngster went on to pick 16 wickets in 13 games, with best figures of 4/46. Although he had an economy of 9.32, the speedster picked up wickets at crunch moments. He had a fine domestic season in 2022 as well and will be looking forward to the 2023 season. With much-needed experience in the T20s and other two formats, Mukesh will be a better bowler come IPL 2023. He is likely to bowl three-four overs and can form a terrific pair with Chahar. 11. Maheesh Theekshana The Lankan spinner has been one of the emerging talents in the T20 format. With a terrific performance in Lanka Premier League, he got an entry into Sri Lanka national team. He bagged six wickets in the T20 World Cup 2022 for the Islanders. With his flippers and accurate bowling, Maheesh has been incredible with the ball picking wickets in consistent fashion. In his first IPL season in 2022, the talented spinner scalped 12 wickets in nine games at an efficient economy of 7.46. In the grounds like Chepauk which assists spinners, Theekshana will be a first-choice overseas bowler. On the other hand, Kyle Jamieson can be his replacement on little fast-paced pitches.

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IPL 2023: Best starting playing XI of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after mini auction

The most prominent pick by CSK was England's Test captain Ben Stokes, followed by Kyle Jamieson and Ajinkya Rahane.

11. Maheesh Theekshana

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