IPL 2023: Match 45, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted Playing XI vs Lucknow Super Giants

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) looked in formidable touch when they grabbed three victories in a row, but all their celebrations came to a halt when they were handed two back-to-back defeats by the Rajasthan Royals and the Punjab Kings. After taking the top position in the points table, they dropped down to the fourth position, and are tied with RR, PBKS, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore with 10 points. 

Check Here👉 LSG vs CSK Live Score and Updates

The competition has gotten tougher as multiple teams are in contention for a place in the playoffs, and after a miserable campaign last year, CSK would be hoping to make the most this year and bounce back to their vintage style this season. Skipper MS Dhoni has backed his players immensely and has played the last few games without making any changes to the Playing XI.

But since they will be playing their upcoming game of the IPL 2023 in Lucknow, a pitch that favored the bowlers more in the recent clash between LSG and RCB, Dhoni might as well go with an additional bowling option. Mitchell Santner might as well find his place in the XI, to give the side a proper all-round option as the four-time champions look to get back on the winning track.

Let’s look at Chennai Super Kings’ probable playing XI against Lucknow Super Giants for the 45^th game of IPL 2023

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been struggling to find the right momentum, as after grabbing the orange cap in the initial stages of the tournament, Gaikwad was unable to retain it. He has provided the team with good starts but has failed to convert his starts into big knocks. 

Devon Conway has been in terrific form lately. He has filled the void that Faf du Plessis had left when he moved to the RCB last year. CSK have found a reliable opener in the form of Conway as the Kiwi batter came close to getting an IPL century twice but was left stranded. He will be desperate to reach the three-figure mark soon and hence, will be the one to lookout for.

Middle-order: Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube

Ajinkya Rahane will be facing LSG for the first time this season, as he was not a part of CSK’s playing combination when the two sides last met. Given Rahane’s abilities to tackle difficult situations, he’ll play a crucial role with the bat and the team would expect him to be among the runs and maintain consistency in his performances.

Ambati Rayudu has been struggling badly. Dubbed one of the finest players of spin, Rayudu is being dismissed against spinners in the tournament this season. But he has shown his capabilities in the past, and the management knows what he can do on his day. Hence, he is likely to maintain his place in the XI.

Shivam Dube has been a bankable name in the team. In recent games, he has managed to add crucial runs to the team’s scoreboard whenever he has walked out with the bat. Dhoni hasn’t used him as a bowler yet as Dube has been deployed in the top or middle order for hitting the big runs, based on the need of the hour.

All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, MS Dhoni (c & wk)

Moeen Ali is yet to find momentum with the bat, and he is not used as a proper spinner either. But given the pitch conditions at Lucknow, he might as well bowl his full quota of four overs. On the batting front, he will have to up his game and score runs.

Ravindra Jadeja could not make an impact with the bat initially, but has now been hitting the big shots in the death overs to get his side over the line. With the ball, he has not been a regular wicket-taker, but has managed to maintain his economy, thereby restricting batters from going big.

MS Dhoni has truly acted as the captain of the side. His glovework has been brilliant this time, and he continues to impress in the final over with his six-hitting abilities under pressure. In the previous fixture between CSK and LSG, Dhoni hit two sixes in the final over to set a 212-run target, and CSK won by 12 runs. He has the most IPL runs in the 20^th over, and will look to increasing the tally.

Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande

Matheesha Pathirana has shown immense transformation. He has grown as a bowler, and CSK have found a reliable bowler for the death overs. The youngster has been doing really well in restricting the opposition batters, and has also managed to hand his side with crucial breakthroughs as and when necessary.

Tushar Deshpande has been enjoying his time on the field. Though he has been conceding runs, he has also proved to be CSK’s wicket-taking bowler, a spot that fell vacant after Deepak Chahar’s exit last season. Chahar returned this year but could not perform in a similar manner, to the 2021 edition, and has been out of the combination due to an injury in the past few games. Deshpande is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 scalps and he will look to improve his numbers.

CSK’s Probable Playing XI:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Probable Impact Players:

Akash Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar