The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of people throughout the globe. With the medical staff and agencies of all the nations busy in finding a way out of this pandemic, serious movement restrictions have been posed in these territories in order to contain the outbreak of the virus. People have also been advised to maintain an appropriate physical distance while interacting with other people.

One of the most important restrictions imposed is that of international travel. With the disease spreading at an exponential rate, it seems reasonable that countries have closed their borders in order to prevent further infestation of viral vectors in their territory. The closing down of international travel had a huge effect on various sports, leading to cancellation and postponement of many events.

Even IPL, the marquee sporting event of India could not remain immune from the vicious effects of the pandemic. Even through BCCI is hopeful of organizing the franchise-based league in the September-October window, there is a chance that foreign players may not be able to participate in this edition of the cash-rich tournament.

Here we discuss a possible Playing XI of the team Chennai Super Kings of only Indian players play in this edition of IPL:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-341436" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Murali-Vijay.jpg" alt="Murali Vijay" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-341436" class="wp-caption-text">Murali Vijay. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

One of the most experienced cricketers of the tournament, Vijay’s career was kickstarted by his impressive performances for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. An aggressive batsman during the initial years of his career, he modified his game a lot after being included in India’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/wishing-them-speedy-recovery-ramiz-raja-reacts-after-three-pakistan-players-test-covid-19-positive-ahead-of-england-tour/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Test </a>Squad. Though his new style led to an inevitable decrease in his aggressive attitude, he still remains a potent force who can take the opposition apart on his day.

Vijay’s first few seasons in the IPL were like a fairytale. He held the record of the highest score by an Indian in IPL until it was broken by Rishab Pant in 2018. He also played a major role in his team’s victory in the finals of the 2011 edition wherein he missed out on his hundred by a mere 5 runs.

In 103 matches, he has scored 2587 runs at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 122.84. He has hit 91 maximums and has passed the triple figures on two occasions. In the absence of Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis, Vijay would get a chance to shine again for the Men in Yellow.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-348558" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-and-Ruturaj-Gaikwad.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-348558" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The 23-year-old batsman from Pune, Maharashtra is the next player on this list. A batsman who relied on his fluid technique to score a truckload of runs in domestic cricket, he possesses a unique talent which is yet to be tapped. He has not represented the ‘Yellow Army’ in any match yet. However, this edition may prove to be the ice-breaker for him.

He has been playing for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-could-have-been-the-best-ever-india-all-rounder-irfan-pathan-reveals-what-affected-his-international-career/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">India A</a> constantly throughout the last season and has notched up a few impressive performances. In the domestic circuit as well, his success in more pronounced in the limited-overs format, making him an ideal choice for a team like CSK who are in dire need of some young blood. His temperament, technique and timing are his assets which are absent in most of the modern-day openers.

In 52 List A matches, he has scored 2438 runs at an average of 49.75 and a highest score of 187*. He has also managed to score 6 hundreds in limited-overs cricket. In the absence of the regular foreign openers, Gaikwad will get a perfect opportunity to showcase his talent at such a large scale.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-341228" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-341228" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

Undoubtedly, ‘Mr. IPL’ is an automatic addition to any CSK playing XI and this list is no exception. One of the most successful batsmen in the league’s history, Raina has become an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) setup. Addressed ‘Chinna Thala’ by his fans, he is one of the only two batsmen to have scored more than 5300 runs in the league.

For a lot of years, Raina held the record of most runs in the history of IPL until it was taken over by the current Indian skipper <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-wouldnt-make-many-chances-virat-kohli-more-of-horses-for-courses-laxman-sivaramakrishnan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Virat Kohli</a>. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen for his franchise, notching up at least 400 runs almost every season. His 87 of just 25 balls during the Qualifier 2 against Kings XI Punjab in 2014 albeit ending in a losing cause, is by far his most impressive IPL innings till date.

In 193 matches, he has scored 5368 runs at an average of 33.34 and a strike rate of 137.11. He has also managed to score 38 fifties along with a solitary hundred. In this playing XI, he will bat at his usual No.3 position.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-350375" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_363676.jpg" alt width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-350375" class="wp-caption-text">Chennai Super Kings&#8217; Ambati Rayudu. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

After joining the ranks of Dhoni’s army in 2018 from arch-rivals Mumbai Indians’ dressing room, Rayudu turned out to be a revelation for Chennai based team. He scored a boatload of runs during that edition and was their Most Valuable Player. The year 2018 was Rayudu’s golden year marked by success in IPL as well as international cricket.

His performance dipped in the previous edition of the IPL which may have been a possible reason for his exclusion from the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/pakistan-stand-a-good-chance-to-win-the-t20-world-cup-shoaib-malik/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Cup </a>2019 squad. However, as spirited as he is, Ambati would be determined to make a mark in this year’s IPL and make the jaw of the selectors drop with his breathtaking performances. His caution mixed with an appropriate amount of aggression makes him a suitable choice for No.4.

In 147 IPL matches, he has scored 3300 runs at an average of 28.7 and a strike rate of almost 126. He has also scored 18 fifties and a hundred in the league. He will play the role of anchoring the innings in the middle overs.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-240254" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-CSK.jpg" alt="Chennai Super Kings" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-240254" class="wp-caption-text">Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni during a practice session. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

The most successful captain of the premier league in terms of qualifying for the playoffs is the next person on this list. Under Dhoni’s leadership, Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the playoffs in every season they played and have won the trophy three times. Dhoni is also the only captain in the history of the league to have successfully defended an <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-was-where-i-was-thrown-out-ill-make-sure-that-im-back-on-that-platform-sreesanth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IPL </a>title.

His wicketkeeping skills are still much better than any other contemporary Indian player. His lightning-quick stumpings, excellent reflexes and diving catches place him in the elite league of legendary wicketkeepers. Also, his quick running with the pads on is an underrated skill which often goes unnoticed, both during his batting, as well as wicketkeeping.

In 190 IPL matches, Dhoni has scored 4432 runs at an average of 42.21 and a strike rate of 137.85. He has scored 23 fifties with a highest individual score of 84. In this playing XI, he will play the role of a captain, wicketkeeper as well as a finisher.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-325317" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kedar-Jadhav-4.jpg" alt="Kedar Jadhav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-325317" class="wp-caption-text">Kedar Jadhav. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The 35-year-old batting all-rounder from Pune, Maharashtra has established himself as a central part of Indian ODI squad as well as the Chennai Super Kings. His calculated aggression at the end has always reaped good results for his team. He also has the capability to anchor and play a big inning if the top order falls apart quickly.

Much like Ambati Rayudu, Jadhav reached his purple patch in the year 2018 when he became an integral part of the Indian One-day cricket set up. His additional skills as a bowler who was difficult for batsmen to pick became one of his key strengths. His rise as a finisher was marked by a parallel rise in his reputation, thus making him an essential part of the CSK lower order.

In 79 IPL matches, he has scored 1079 runs at a strike rate of 126.49 and an average of almost 23. He has plied his trade for a lot of franchises in IPL and hence, has a lot of experience of playing in the home grounds of various teams. In this playing XI, he will share the finishing duties with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-needs-to-be-credited-for-backing-virat-kohli-gautam-gambhir/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MS Dhoni</a>.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-341057" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ravindra-Jadeja.jpg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-341057" class="wp-caption-text">Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

The all-rounder from Saurashtra has been omnipresent across all the Indian matches during the last season. A quality left-arm spinner and a more than useful lower-order batsman, he is a complete package for any T20 franchise. Add to that his jaw-dropping fielding skills, and you have the perfect recipe for a match-winner.

Jadeja has made himself known since the inaugural edition of IPL wherein he played for Rajasthan Royals under the guidance of the legendary <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/yusuf-pathan-reveals-how-shane-warnes-rousing-speech-helped-rr-to-get-back-on-winning-track-in-ipl-2008/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shane Warne</a>. Consequently, he was bought by Chennai Super Kings during the auctions in 2012 where he turned out to be the most expensive player. He has constantly lived up to his price tag by leading his team to victory on several occasions.

In 128 innings, he has scored 1927 runs at an average of 24.09 and a strike rate of almost 123. He has been not out on 48 occasions which speaks volumes about his finishing skills. In the bowling department, he has managed to scalp 108 wickets with one five-wicket haul and 3 four-wicket hauls to his credit.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-418973" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shardul-Thakur-IPL.jpg" alt="Shardul Thakur IPL" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-418973" class="wp-caption-text">Shardul Thakur IPL. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The Mumbai pacer has become the latest sensation in Indian cricket after his impressive performances in a few bilateral series. The right-arm seamer from the coastal city has made more impression with his lower-order batting than with his bowling. In fact, some of the fans even started drawing comparisons with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/this-is-insane-bollywood-actresses-stunned-with-hardik-pandyas-hop-push-ups/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hardik Pandya</a>.

Despite his few awe-inspiring performances with the bat, he primarily remains a bowler who can strike a few lusty blows at the end of an innings. In the absence of star players like Josh Hazlewood, Sam Curran, Dwyane Bravo and Lungi Ngidi, Shardul may get a chance to feature in the playing XI and let the world take notice of his bowling as well.

Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Even through BCCI is hopeful of organizing the franchise-based league in the September-October window, there is a chance that foreign players may not be able to participate in this edition.

Playing XI of CSK if only Indians play IPL 2020

Under Dhoni’s leadership, Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the playoffs in every season they played and have won the trophy three times.

Playing XI of CSK if only Indians play IPL 2020

Even through BCCI is hopeful of organizing the franchise-based league in the September-October window, there is a chance that foreign players may not be able to participate in this edition.

8. Shardul Thakur