IPL 2023: Match 17, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will cross swords against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 17th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Wednesday, April 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk. Chennai did not have a great start to their campaign and lost the inaugural game of the season at the hands of the Gujarat Titans. But they came back strongly and registered two back-to-back wins under their name.

However, the last game turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Ajinkya Rahane and CSK. After Moeen Ali sat out due to an injury, Rahane stepped up with a blistering fifty along with Ruturaj Gaikwad's valuable contribution at the top of the order, setting up a solid foundation for the run chase. Thereafter, Shivam Dube and Ambati Rayudu's 43-run stand led Chennai to beat Mumbai Indians convincingly by seven wickets.

Chennai would look to ride on the winning momentum and trump Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming game. Chepauk has been CSK’s fortress and MS Dhoni & Co. has won 71.93 % of their games played at the venue. They would look to bring their A-game into play and extend their dominance in their home ground.

Here’s Chennai Super Kings’ predicted XI against Rajasthan Royals:

Openers: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Devon Conway has been a proven performer in the international arena. He has featured in 38 T20Is and accumulated 1234 runs at a strike rate of 130.30. The ace batter has shown his class in the cash-rich league too and scored 300 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 141.51. 

Coming to Conway’s opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad, the 26-year-old has been an integral part of the Chennai side in the IPL. The opening batter has put up an exhibition of his glorious stroke play and piled on runs for fun. He has featured in 39 IPL games and amassed 1396 runs with a strike rate of 133.84.

Gaikwad has been in a pristine touch in IPL 2023. He has obliterated bowlers for fun and notched up 189 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 161.54. Given the kind of form the flamboyant batter is in, it would not be a surprise if he wins the Orange Cap in the ongoing season.

Middle-order: Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk)

CSK have the experienced trio of Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni in the middle order. Rahane has been a prominent figure in the IPL arena. He has featured in 159 matches and racked up 4135 runs at a strike rate of 121.51. The Indian batter was at his best in the clash against Mumbai Indians and plundered 61 runs off  27 balls. He would look to carry on the good work for CSK in the forthcoming clash.

Talking about Ambati Rayudu has been a consistent performer in the lucrative T20 tournament. He has featured in 191 matches and aggregated 4249 runs at a strike rate of 127.29. The ace batter would look to put up a show with the bat and set the 16th IPL edition ablaze with his performances.

Coming to Dhoni, the veteran batter is one of the finest finishers to have graced the sport. He has destroyed bowling attacks with his power-hitting might and established his supremacy in the IPL. Also, he has been a brilliant reader of the game and led CSK to four title victories. 

All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner

Chennai Super Kings have gun England all-rounder Moeen Ali in their arsenal. Moeen has been a marauder with the bat and smashed 952 runs in 46 IPL games at a strike rate of 143.81. Also, he has been superb with the ball and bagged 28 wickets at an economy of 6.78.

Also, CSK have Ravindra Jadeja at their disposal. The 34-year-old has been a match-winner with both bat and ball in the Indian Premier League. He has accumulated 2506 runs in 213 matches at a strike rate of 127.27 and bagged 136 wickets at an economy of 7.60.

Moreover, the four-time IPL champions have Mitchell Santner in the mix. The Kiwi all-rounder has strangled batters with his impeccable and bagged timely wickets for his side. Also, he has been more than handy with the bat and played crucial knocks slotting in lower down the order.

Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande

Given the conditions at Chepauk aid spin, CSK are likely to play Maheesh Theekshana in the clash on Wednesday. Theekshana has been a bankable name in the T20 circuit. He has featured in 102 matches in the shortest format and picked up 109 wickets at an economy of 6.44. The ace spinner would look to bamboozle RR batters with his variations in the upcoming encounter and wreak havoc with the ball.

Chennai would have the services of Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Tushar Deshpande in the fast-bowling department. Hangargekar is one of the exciting prospects in the Indian cricketing circles. He has shown glimpses with the ball in IPL 2023 and bagged three wickets in two outings.

Talking about Tushar Deshpande, the 27-year-old has been amongst the wickets and picked up five wickets in three games. However, he has been quite inconsistent with his line and length and leaked runs at an alarming rate of 12.29. He would look to make amends and put up an improved bowling display in the forthcoming encounter.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) probable XI:

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk),  Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) probable impact players:

Simarjeet Singh, Shivam Dube, Shaik Rasheed, Akash Singh, Subhranshu Senapati