IPL 2020: Match 18, KXIP vs CSK- CSK Predicted Playing XI

The 18th match of the Indian Premier League will witness Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab locking horns at Dubai International Stadium. CSK are having their share of a terrible time in this season as they have lost three out of their four matches.

Despite making it to the field after a good gap, they couldn’t make things respectable for them in their latest match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The entire opening order collapsed, and they struggled totally while chasing the target.

Punjab will also be walking after facing three defeats in the tournament and will try their best to stand tall against CSK. Now, the questions have also been hovering over MS Dhoni’s fitness and health as he ran out of breath while running between the wickets in the last match. CSK definitely need to come up with better combinations and preparations to take the feel of the tournament.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings for CSK vs KXIP:

Openers (Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson)

Du Plessis has been that one man who is constantly fetching in runs for his squad. In his last match also, he played a significant cameo before he went victim of a controversial runout. He also leaves no stone unturned to display his finesse in the fielding section. Therefore, he will most likely play in CSK’s next outing.

Shane Watson is trying his best to get something significant under his belt in the last few matches. However, he is not getting something good. But he is expected to remain part of the team owing to his earlier explosive form. He is expected to come up in better form and provide strength to the team in CSK’s next outing.

Middle order (Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni)

The in-form batsman, Rayudu, stole the show with his match-winning knock in the season opener but went down due to a hamstring injury. He just came back in the last match but couldn’t get anything substantial. However, he is expected to remain a part of the team in the match coming up for CSK against KXIP.

Kedhar Jadhav has also not been able to give the very best of his potential so far in IPL 2020. His cameo in the last few matches was of little help to CSK, but he needs to show up better in the coming times with the bat. He is expected to be part of CSK’s playing XI against KXIP in the next match.

The recent form of MS Dhoni has invited criticism and debate from all across the world. He is playing competitive cricket after a gap of 14 months, and things have been getting hard for him this season. He even tried his best in the last match to fetch good results for the team, but his health was taking a toll on him. Having said all that, the team still believes in his guidance, and he would most probably lead the team in the match against KXIP.

All-rounders (Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, DJ Bravo)

The recent form of Jadeja was also under some questions after he failed to perform with the bat until the last match against SRH. He fetched in an amazing fifty for his team but couldn’t chase the target successfully. He needs to maintain consistency and will most likely play against Punjab in CSK’s next outing.

Young Sam Curran is doing his job fine for the team so far. Having capacities with both bat and ball, he is expected to be part of the team in the next match. He has taken wickets in IPL 2020 season and has also been successful in getting quick runs for CSK with his big-hitting towards the end.

The Caribbean star, Bravo, was down with an injury during the earlier matches of CSK. He has just pitched in during the last match and bowled for his team. He didn’t get the chance with the bat in the last match but is known for some explosive hitting over the years. He is most likely to land in CSK’s playing XI against Kings XI Punjab.

Bowlers (Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla)

Chahar has always been trusted by MS Dhoni with the new ball and he has done all the justice so far. He is one bowler who has constantly been picking wickets for his team and got two scalps to his name in the last match too. He is most likely to do the job for his team in CSK’s next match against Punjab.

Shardul Thakur came up for CSK during their last outing and picked one wicket too. In 2019, he appeared in few matches and picked a total of eight wickets. He is expected to give his best skills in the team’s interest and is most likely to play against Kings XI Punjab in CSK’s next outing in Dubai.

Chawla has been faring well for his team so far while heading the spin department. He is regularly getting wickets too and remained economical in the last match against SRH. He needs to keep his form moving in the matches coming up is most likely to play against Kings XI Punjab in the next match.