IPL 2019 – Match 41: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – CSK Predicted Playing XI

The MS Dhoni phenomenon took over the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) previous game. Making a comeback into the squad after recovering from an injury, the CSK skipper was fierce and looked unstoppable. However, despite doing everything right till the penultimate ball, he failed to finish the game for his team.

For the first time since their readmission in 2018, CSK lost two consecutive matches in the IPL. Even though they have won 7 games thus far, there are several chinks in their armour. The top-order has been fragile and the players are struggling to find good form. A look is being left to the lower middle order to complete the game. But will this prompt CSK to make a change to their eleven?

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

Openers (Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis)

Shane Watson has had a disastrous outing in the season thus far. To replace him, there is someone like Murali Vijay or Sam Billings waiting in the ranks. However, he seems to have immense backing of the management. The team has got two options – either to rest him for one or two matches to persist with him. The latter looks more likely.

Faf du Plessis tried to break the shackles when his team was under pressure in the last game. However, it is important for him to realise that they need him at this crucial juncture of the tournament. The South African has to bat deep and play the anchor. The top order isn’t doing well. Thus, even if he scores at a slow pace, Faf has got the flexibility with some big hitters down the order.

Middle Order (Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c)(wk), Kedar Jadhav)

This has to be one of the worst IPL seasons ever for Suresh Raina. He’s always been a pillar behind CSK’s success. However, he never played as inconsistently as he is doing now. The left-hander still has got an opportunity to turn things around and make it big in the remaining matches. He needs to play on the merit of the ball rather than premeditate.

Ambati Rayudu has played very slow knocks ever since he was demoted to number four. If he is consuming those deliveries at the beginning of his innings, he should also look to make up for them by digging deep into his innings. MS Dhoni must bat at number five. With the kind of form that he is in, he should get to face as many deliveries as possible. Kedar Jadhav can be slotted down as he hasn’t had a lot of success while trying to build an inning.

All-Rounders (Ravindra Jadeja, DJ Bravo)

Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be dangerous on the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch. There is usually a lot of turn of the offer. With Jadeja, he is someone who is unpredictable with the direction in which he turns the ball. Also, he can score useful runs with the bat down the order.

DJ Bravo might have made a comeback into the side but hasn’t looked comfortable. The Caribbean cricketer still seemed to have issues with the hamstring while he was fielding and running between the wickets. If he isn’t available, CSK is likely to rope Mitchell Santner or Scott Kuggeleijn in his place.

Bowlers (Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir)

Deepak Chahar has been one of the most impressive bowlers this season. The way he is operating with the new ball has been a treat to watch. By swinging it both the ways, he is subjecting the batsmen to all sorts of trouble. It was impressive the way he set Kohli up in the last game and will continue to be a vital cog. Chahar might even bowl three overs within the powerplay if DJ Bravo plays the match.

Since CSK will be playing in Chennai, Harbhajan Singh is likely to swap places with Shardul Thakur. MSD will look to use him as the weapon against David Warner, who is a left-hander. Imran Tahir will be the third spinner in the eleven and will look to choke the oppositions in the middle overs.

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