IPL 2021: CSK vs RR – Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI Against Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings came back strongly after starting their campaign of IPL 2021 with a loss against Delhi Capitals. In their second match, CSK proved why they are in contention for winning the title. From winning the toss to starting well with the ball, everything went the way of Chennai Super Kings, who grabbed on the opportunities perfectly.

Chennai will face Rajasthan Royals at the same Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 19 where they defeated Punjab Kings just a few days prior. Here a look at the Chennai Super Kings predicted XI for their match against Rajasthan Royals:

Openers (Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad)

Chennai Super Kings will not be too worried about Ruturaj Gaikwad, especially with Robbie Uthappa waiting in the wings. But, there will be some pressure on the young opening batsman having failed twice now in the tournament so far. As a matter of fact, if Uthappa comes into the line-up, then don’t be surprised. 

But MS Dhoni doesn’t generally change his team’s XI after a win. Faf du Plessis has been in good touch and will be quite confident after guiding the CSK team to victory in the previous match against Punjab Kings. He stayed unbeaten on 36 in that match and will be looking to get a big score in this match. 

Middle-order (Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, and Ambati Rayudu)

In the first match, Suresh Raina batted at the no. 3 position, but Moeen Ali got a promotion to the position in the second match. With head coach Stephen Fleming stating that Ali’s batting talent will be used by Chennai, we might see Raina taking on the responsibility of playing at the no. 4 spot. 

With that being said, MS Dhoni has kept himself at no. 7 in both matches, while not coming out to bat in the second of those matches. Ambati Rayudu’s role has reduced significantly since he has gone down to the middle order but remains an essential part of it. With some all-rounders to follow, CSK’s middle order might have a different look in most of the matches. 

All-rounders (Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, and Dwayne Bravo)

Moeen Ali was in the thick of things for CSK in the previous match. He bowled three overs, gave only 17 runs, and picked up one wicket. He then came to bat at no.3 and scored 46 runs. Given the importance which has been given to his place, it seems that he will once again be a part of several plans of MS Dhoni. 

Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo have contributed in enough ways to keep their spots in the line-up. Ravindra Jadeja bowled a good spell in the previous match, before showing his fielding skills. The quartet of the Chennai Super Kings’ all-rounders might turn out to be one of their strengths in the IPL 2021. 

Bowlers (Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar)

Deepak Chahar in the previous match did exactly what was expected from him. The Rajasthan pacer bowled four consecutive overs with the new ball, picking up four wickets and breaking the spirits of the opposition batsmen early on. With the ball getting some swing early on in Mumbai, we can expect him to play a role in CSK’s gameplay once again. Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, was expensive in both the matches so far and would like to get a tight spell under his belt.