IPL 2022: Best combined XI of MI and CSK ahead of upcoming season

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Mumbai Indians (MI), share a total of nine Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies among them. It’s no surprise that both CSK and MI are the two heavyweights of the tournament, and their clash in IPL is eagerly watched by millions of cricket fans.

Coming into the IPL 2022, both CSK and MI have balanced sides. Both franchises managed to retain their core players and also bagged some talented bunch of players in the mega auction. Both MI and CSK will lock horns in the 33rd match of the IPL 2022 to be played on April 21 at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. As fans continue to wait for the clash of the titans, here’s the best-combined XI of MI and CSK ahead of the tournament.

1. Rohit Sharma

Indian and MI skipper Rohit Sharma has been a prolific batter for both his country and the franchise. Rohit has grown in stature as a player in the past few years. It is to be noted that it was former Indian skipper MS Dhoni who promoted him to open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan at the 2013 Champions Trophy. Since then, Rohit has improved both as a batter and a skipper.

Rohit was given the captaincy of Mumbai Indians, after former Australian captain Ricky Ponting gave up his post. Under Rohit’s leadership, Mumbai have gone on to win five titles. Apart from that, he has backed some prominent all-rounders like the Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard. 

Rohit has scored more than 5600 runs in the IPL. Earlier, he has been an integral part of the Deccan Chargers as well. A lesser-known fact about him is that he holds a hat-trick to his name against Mumbai Indians. The 34-year old will play a key role for his franchise in the upcoming season. 

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad 

Not many players have been able to prove MS Dhoni wrong. However, opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad with his performances would have made Dhoni think about his statement. CSK skipper MS Dhoni made a comment about not seeing enough ‘spark’ in the franchise’s youngsters after the yellow army finished in the bottom four in IPL 2020. Gaikwad made his debut for CSK in the 2020 edition, but it was a horrible start to his career.

However, he was given some more chances to prove his mettle, and the 25-year old did not disappoint. In the 22 IPL games so far, the right-handed batter has scored 839 runs at a strike rate of 132.13. Moreover, Gaikwad also won the orange cap in the 2021 season. There is no doubt that he is the future of the franchise.

After his former opening partner, Faf du Plessis moved from the franchise, it would be Gaikwad’s responsibility to provide good starts for the defending champions during field restrictions. The 25-year old is also expected to be a regular feature of the Indian side in the future.

3. Ishan Kishan

Pocket dynamite Ishan Kishan was bagged at an amount of INR 15.25 crore by his former franchise MI at the mega auction. Even though the left-handed batter was not in his prime form in IPL 2021, Kishan was a key performer for MI in ensuring their fifth title for the franchise in the 2020 season.

Talking about his numbers, Kishan has scored 1452 runs at an average of 28.47 in 62 matches. Having a strike rate of 136.34, the 23-year old batter has been one of the most prolific performers with the bat. Kishan has also been a part of the Indian national side as well. 

The Bihar-born player has the highest score of 99 runs which shows his ability to bat longer innings. In one of the seasons, Kishan managed to smash 30 sixes for MI as well. There is no doubt that he is a prominent contender for captaincy in the future.

4. Moeen Ali

English all-rounder Moeen Ali has been on a different level since his arrival in the CSK squad.  The left-handed batter has played some superb knocks for the franchise and has also played a crucial role in the bowling department as well.

As a result, CSK spent INR eight crore on the English all-rounder to retain him. The 34-year old has played 34 IPL matches in which he has scored 666 runs at a staggering strike rate of 146.37. Apart from his batting, Ali can also contribute with his full quota of four overs with the ball as well. He has an economy rate of 6.85 in the IPL

CSK have always recognized all-rounders in their squad and under skipper MS Dhoni’s leadership, Ali will be looking to emulate his performance in the upcoming season as well. The 34-year old all-rounder made his IPL debut with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018. However, he was heavily under-utilized, and mostly warmed the benches there.

5. Suryakumar Yadav

Right-handed batter Suryakumar Yadav has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians franchise for the past few years. The stylish batter likes to dominate the game from the get-go and has been India’s finisher in the 50-over format of the game. However, for MI, the batter holds the responsibility to bat throughout the 20 overs. 

Yadav has played 115 IPL games in which he has scored 2341 runs so far at an average of 28.9. The right-handed batter has been very consistent in the biggest T20 league over the years. Adding on, he can be a very destructive batter as he has a strike rate of 135.71 with the bat.

The right-handed batter is now a key player of the franchise, and he can play as per the situation. With several explosive batting options in the midst, Yadav is the best option for MI to play the number three slot. His fielding skills also add a feather to his hat.

6. MS Dhoni

With four trophies in his cabinet, skipper MS Dhoni is the second-most successful IPL captain. Even though he has failed to replicate his performances in the past few seasons, Dhoni’s captaincy skills will let him walk inside any squad in the world. Dhoni throughout his career has groomed many players under his leadership. Even if fans make the list of cricketers who have excelled because of Dhoni’s backing, it will be a long one for sure.

Despite his age being 40, Dhoni is still the most agile and safe wicketkeeper in the league. Speaking about his numbers in batting, the 40-year old has scored 4746 runs at an average of 39.55. As the yellow army is going through a transition phase, Dhoni’s presence is of utmost significance for CSK. 

Speaking about his personal achievements, Dhoni would possibly be playing his last IPL tournament. As a result, the 40-year old would like a fifth IPL title in his trophy cabinet before signing off. Called ‘Thala’ by CSK fans, Dhoni can also look to be on the leadership committee of the franchise in the future.

7. Kieron Pollard

The shortest format of the game is heavily dominated by West Indies at the international level, with so many power hitters including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Evin Lewis, and most importantly Kieron Pollard. The 34-year old batting all-rounder has been a force to reckon with in the T20 format of the game.

Pollard’s hitting ability is something different and he has proven his mettle at both international, and franchise-based cricket. Talking about his strike rate, Pollard has a humongous one of 149.77. Apart from that, he has been a handy bowler as well.

In 178 IPL games, the 34-year old has picked 65 wickets. Even though his economy rate is a little high at 8.78, he could cover up for a bowler who is having a bad day. A T20 stalwart, Pollard who has been an integral part of MI since the start of the tournament, deserves to retire while being with the franchise

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Good with bat and ball and agile on the field, Ravindra Jadeja has been the backbone of the Indian team and his franchise Chennai Super Kings for a long time now. Jadeja can now be termed as one of the most valuable players currently going around the world, and can easily walk into any squad without any hesitation.

The left-arm all-rounder has played 200 IPL games in which he has amassed a total of 2386 runs with a strike rate of 128.14. The left-handed batter can demolish any bowling line-up as it was evident in last year’s edition when he smashed Harshal Patel by scoring 37 runs in one over. Jadeja has the highest score of 62 while batting down the order.

Talking about his bowling skills, the 33-year old has picked up 127 wickets in 200 IPL games with an economy rate of 7.61 in the league and has a five-wicket haul to his name. Ahead of IPL 2022, the yellow army will look to get some eye-catching performances from the all-rounder as he was the first player to be retained by the franchise. 

9. Dwayne Bravo 

Bowling at the death or hitting lusty blows at the back end of the innings, DJ Bravo has been one of the most important members of the squad. Bravo was included in the CSK side in 2011. Since then, he has won games single-handedly for the yellow franchise and has guided many players to do well for CSK.  

Bravo has scored 1537 runs at a strike rate of 130.25 in 151 IPL matches he has played so far. In addition, the right-arm pacer has been CSK’s premier death overs bowler as well. With an effective slower ball, he has been choking batters for runs over the years.

The 38-year old is an excellent fielder as well but age has affected him, with his fielding standards not being as they were in his prime. However, this won’t stop the Caribbean from giving his 100%. Bravo has already bid adieu to international cricket, so it would come as no surprise if the all-rounder is playing his last edition of the IPL.

10. Jasprit Bumrah

After making his debut during IPL 2013, Indian ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has come a long way. The express pacer has been the go-to bowler for Rohit Sharma over the years and continues to do so. Even after playing international cricket for so many years, he is still unplayable by batters.

Deadly yorkers, spicy short balls, and deceptive slower ones are some of the weapons in Bumrah’s arsenal, as he is one of the core members of the franchise. Without a doubt, MI’s success with the ball heavily relies on the pacer. Talking about his numbers, Bumrah has played 106 IPL games and has picked 130 wickets with the ball.

The right-arm pacer is quite economical with the ball as well. Bumrah has an economy rate of 7.42, which is quite exceptional. Despite becoming a senior player, Bumrah is still trying to grow as a bowler. This makes him a special cricketer.

11. Adam Milne

New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne will look to fill the gap of pacer Josh Hazlewood who played an important role for the CSK franchise in the past few seasons. Interestingly, Milne has also been a part of the Mumbai Indians camp in the past season. Even though Milne has been a bit expensive in the IPL, a small tally of nine IPL games does not justify his talent.

The Kiwi pacer can easily clock the 150 kmph barrier and that too with an impressive economy rate of 7.85. The 29-year old has also scalped a total of 32 wickets while representing his country in the T20I format. The right-arm pacer also has a four-wicket haul under his belt in the international arena. 

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, if the express pacer manages to get the ball in the right spot, then he can become a very lethal bowler to face for the batters. It would be interesting to see how captain cool utilizes the services of the New Zealand pacer in the upcoming edition.