IPL 2022: Best Starting playing XI of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after mega auction

The IPL mega auction is now over. With so many players going under the hammer, the fans would have been implementing all the permutations and combinations to bring out the best playing XI of their favorite team. However, it is sometimes difficult to find the perfect combination.

A team like CSK has been one of the most consistent teams in the history of the league. They rely on core strengths and the trust they put on players has been a benchmark for other teams to follow. This time, they had decided to retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni, and Ravindra Jadeja.

This was a clever move as they included two new members into their core side and opted to keep Dhoni as the main player. His presence is enough to bring transitions into the team. Adding on, the retention of Jadeja is self-explanatory as he is one of the finest all-rounders in the world at the moment. So, let us have a look at the best starting eleven for the Chennai Super Kings:

Best Starting Playing XI of CSK for IPL 2022:

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad 

In a world where a pandemic is affecting the presence of the players, it is really difficult to maintain form. This pandemic has resulted in a halt in the careers of many players. Hence, it is really tough for a youngster to rise up the ranks, especially in India.

For Ruturaj Gaikwad, COVID was just a minor bump in his presence. As he is playing more cricket, he is improving significantly. He made it to the CSK side in the 2020 edition, but it was a horrible start to his career.

However, he was given more chances and in 22 IPL games, he has scored 839 runs at a strike rate of 132.13. Adding on, he won the orange cap in the 2021 season. There is no doubt that he is the future of the franchise.

2. Devon Conway

If the critics were thinking that CSK is having a mediocre IPL auction, well, they have managed to pull off a rabbit out of the hat. Arguably their best pick in the auction has been Devon Conway. The Kiwi batsman is now a part of the Yellow Army.

In 20 T20Is, the stylish batsman has scored 602 runs with a humongous average of 50.17. He can accelerate when required and the best part about his batting is his consistency. Against Australia in the home series, Conway was on full form, scoring consecutive half-centuries regularly.

With Gaikwad on the other side, Conway will play the role Faf du Plessis used to for the Super Kings. Adding on, he is an excellent fielder as well. Overall, by playing under Dhoni, Conway will benefit from the priceless experience.

3. Moeen Ali

Even though Moeen Ali made his IPL debut in the 2018 season, he was heavily under-utilized. The English allrounder has been an integral part of England’s limited-overs side but was warming the bench in the RCB camp. However, his IPL career took a huge turn once he was bought by CSK during the 2021 auctions.

Ali performed solidly in the batting order. He was so effective that they promoted him to the number three position, which was previously held by the IPL legend, Suresh Raina. Ali’s attacking mindset helped CSK during the crucial stages of the game.

Apart from his batting, he could bowl his full quota of four overs as well. He has an economy rate of 6.85 in the IPL and has a batting strike rate of 146.37. As he is just 34 years of age, he has a lot to contribute as well.

4. Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa was an important member of the iconic Kolkata Knight Riders side that went on to lift the 2014 IPL trophy. He was consistent from the word go and dominated almost every opposition. His performances enabled him to make it to the national side during the mid-2010s.

However, he is now at the twilight of his career. Robin is now spending his time with the Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni. During the initial stages of the 2021 IPL, he was warming the bench.

But, he was the surprise element in the final. Against Kolkata, Robin went on to score 31 runs from 15 balls. This shifted the momentum towards the favor of the Super Kings as they went on to lift the trophy. This time again, he will be an important part of the Super Kings franchise.

5. Ambati Rayudu

CSK has always been known for sticking to its side. This time as well, even after a mega auction, their batting lineup looks more or less the same, thanks to the presence of batsmen like Ruturaj, Moeen, Robin, and Rayudu.  

Ambati Rayudu has been an asset for CSK since his inclusion in 2018. He can play those match-winning innings and has scored a century for the franchise as well. This time around, the fans will be hoping that Rayudu manages to make a mark in the IPL, once again.

He has a decent strike rate of 127.47 and can anchor the innings in case of a collapse. Adding on, he can guard the wickets in case MS Dhoni decides to field instead of keeping the wickets. Apart from that, Rayudu is a terrific fielder as well, which makes him an all-rounder in the side.

6. MS Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper)

As per CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan, MS Dhoni has never disappointed the fans when it comes to picking up a team. Well, his success as a captain proves that and it is one of the reasons that the CSK management has decided to retain him. There is no doubt that he is the decision-maker for the management as well.

Dhoni has been the second most successful IPL captain and even if he has failed with the bat, there is no reason to put him out of the frame. He is larger than life person and can groom the youngsters to achieve great things later on in their career. Even if we list the cricketers who have benefitted because of Dhoni’s backing, it will be a long one for sure.

At 40 years of age, he is still the best wicketkeeper in the league. Talking about his batting, he has scored 4746 runs at an average of 39.55. Given the fact that this is a transition phase, his presence is of utmost significance for the franchise.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Not many people would have thought that a player who was being taken into the cleaners during the T20 World Cup in 2010 will go down as one of the finest all-rounders in the game. He is the best fielder, a decent batsman, and a world-class spinner, Ravindra Jadeja has been the backbone of the Indian team and the Chennai Super Kings for over a decade now. Jadeja is now the most valuable cricketer a team can have in the circuit.

With 200 IPL games to his name, Jadeja has scored 2386 runs with a strike rate of 128.14. He can demolish any bowling lineup and last year, he proved the world this fact by smashing 37 runs off Harshal Patel’s over. Jadeja has the highest score of 62 while batting down the order, which is extraordinary.

Talking about his bowling, Jadeja has picked 127 wickets in 200 IPL games. But, his economy rate is something that catches the eye. Jadeja has an impressive economy rate of 7.61 in the league and has a five-wicket haul to his name.

8. Shivam Dube 

Shivam Dube comes into this CSK side as a replacement for Shardul Thakur. There is no doubt that Thakur will be missed by the franchise. But, there is no doubt that they have found the second-best option in the form of Dube.

Dube is a batting all-rounder and can bowl in a couple of overs if required. In 24 IPL games, he has picked 4 wickets, which is not impressive in any way. But, CSK has the services of Moeen, Jadeja, Milne, Chahar, Bravo, and Dube comes in as the sixth bowling option.

Talking about his batting, he has a strike rate of 120.54. But, Dube can accelerate if required. Dhoni will be hoping that he slogs the ball consistently. For Dube, this might be his best chance to redeem himself.

9. Deepak Chahar 

Even after performing at the highest level, Deepak Chahar would not have dreamt of a 14 crore contract with the Chennai Super Kings. The medium-pacer is now a huge part of the Super Kings family as the management decided to go after him as soon as his name appeared on the pool. This will be an interesting year for Chahar.

In 63 IPL games, he has picked 59 wickets so far. An economy rate of 7.8 shows his ability to stop the leakage of runs from one end. Adding on, he has the best bowling figures of 4/13 to his name.

Talking about his batting, he has significantly improved with the bat. In 63 IPL games, he has a strike rate of 138.6 and can smash the ball easily. Against South Africa, he showed his worth by smashing a half-century in the final game. Alongside Jadeja, he can easily contribute down the order.

10. Dwayne Bravo

Since his inclusion in the CSK side in 2011, DJ Bravo has been one of the most important members of the squad. He has won games single-handedly for the team and has guided many players. Last year, it was Josh Hazlewood who benefitted from Bravo’s knowledge about the format.

In 151 IPL games, Bravo has scored 1537 runs at a strike rate of 130.25. Adding on, he has been their premier death overs bowler as well. With an economy rate of 8.36, he has been choking batsmen for runs over the years.

Bravo is an excellent fielder as well, but as the aging factor has affected him, he might be a bit slow on the field. But, this will not stop him from giving his 100%. As the legendary cricketer has bid adieu to international cricket, it is time for him to shine in the franchise league.

11. Adam Milne

The pace is something that can turn a cricket game around within a span of two overs. If bowled without line or length, it can be a costly affair. However, if the bowler manages to get into the right spot, the bowler becomes dominant.

For CSK, Adam Milne is the pace battery. The Kiwi fast bowler has been consistent with the ball. Even though Milne has been a bit expensive in the IPL, a small tally of 9 IPL games does not justify his talent.

With the ball, he has regularly troubled the batsmen. Milne can click the 150 kmph barrier consistently and with an impressive economy rate of 7.85, he can be economical under a great leader like MS Dhoni. It will be interesting to see how Milne blends into this special franchise.