Chennai Super Kings Team Preview for IPL 2023

The most consistent team in IPL history will eye its 5th title in 2023. Chennai Super Kings have played 9 IPL finals and won 4 trophies. All these achievements have come under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Considering that he is now at the twilight of his career, CSK would love to see him off with his 5th IPL trophy.

Let’s analyze whether they are good enough to do it or not.

CSK Squad 2023

Here’s the complete squad of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2023:

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, MS Dhoni(c), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Mandal, Nishant Sindhu, Bhagath Varma, Kyle Jamieson, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Deepak Chahar, Mahesh Theekshana, Prashant Solanki

Chennai Super Kings Likely Starting XI

Here’s the best possible combination that CSK can form with this squad:

1. Devon Conway
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
3. Ben Stokes
4. Ambati Rayudu
5. Moeen Ali
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. MS Dhoni(c & wk)
8. Shivam Dube
9. Kyle Jamieson
10. Deepak Chahar
11. Mukesh Choudhary

CSK Squad 2023 Strengths

Let’s take a look at the two strongest attributes of the Chennai side:

• Experienced Batting Lineup

Many believe that T20 cricket is a game for the fresh legs. However, CSK’s thoughts are exactly the opposite to it. They have always banked on the experience and have reaped great rewards for it. Once again, their batting lineup is all about the experience. Apart from Raturaj Gaikwad, each batter has loads of experience under his belt.

The opener Devon Conway has 4649 T20 runs at an average of 43.44 in 140 games. Also, he has played 38 T20 Internationals for New Zealand. He has 1234 T20I runs at an average of 45.7. Conway made his IPL debut for CSK last year. He scored 252 runs in the season while averaging 42 and striking at 145.66. Ben Stokes is another heavily experienced cricketer in the CSK camp. He has more than 3000 T20 runs and 93 T20 wickets. Stokes has 920 IPL runs and 93 wickets in 5 seasons.

Then, CSK have Ambati Rayudu, who has been a part of 13 IPL seasons. He has scored 4190 runs in the league and played a major role in CSK’s title-winning campaign in 2018. The next on the list is Moeen Ali, who has 5655 runs and 178 wickets in the format. Mo has 910 IPL runs at a strike rate of 144 and 24 IPL wickets at an economy rate of 6.79. CSK also have Ravindra Jadeja, who has been a part of the league since its first season. He has 2502 runs and 132 wickets in the IPL.

Most importantly, the Super Kings have the experience of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both as a skipper and a batsman. MSD has 3 ICC and 4 IPL trophies, and he has played 10 IPL finals as the captain. The wicket-keeper has 1617 runs in T20Is, and 4978 IPL runs. All these experienced players will be key to CSK’s performance in the upcoming season.

• Plenty of All-Rounders

All-rounders are inevitable in T20 cricket for balancing a team. CSK Squad 2023 can have 3 genuine all-rounders in their playing XI; Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali. If they play Shivam Dube, he can also give them some useful overs while being a handy finisher. Deepak Chahar and Kyle Jamieson are also quite capable with the bat. In this way, CSK will bat till number 10, and they can have 7 bowling options.

Ben Stokes has the potential to excel in any of the top 6 batting positions. He can also bowl in the powerplay, middle overs, or at the death. Similarly, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali can bat anywhere in the middle order. They also provide two fine bowling options. So, the abundance of all-rounders means a lot of options for the CSK side.

CSK Squad Weaknesses

Let’s take a look at the solitary weakness in the CSK squad:

• Lack of Venom in Pace Battery

Kyle Jamieson, Deepak Chahar, and Mukesh Choudhary will likely be the 3 pacers in Chennai’s playing XI. Deepak will be the leader of the pace attack. He has taken 59 wickets in the Indian Premier League. His economy rate is 7.8 in 63 matches. Chahar is a great exponent of the new ball. He gets early wickets due to his ability to extract seam and swing movement. But he is someone who struggles alot in the second half of an innings. That’s why Dhoni usually bowls him for 3 overs in the powerplay.

Kyle Jamieson is also a handy option in the first 6 overs but struggles at the death. He played only one IPL season for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021. He picked 9 wickets in as many matches in that edition. His economy rate of 9.61 tells about his struggle in Indian conditions. Mukesh Choudhary emerged as a young fast bowler in IPL 2022 for the Super Kings. His ability to swing the new ball impressed everyone. He took 16 wickets in 13 games but went for 9.32 runs per over.

So, all the 3 pacers are go-to choices in the powerplay but heavily expensive at the death. They are also not so good in the middle phase of the innings. So, MS Dhoni may look to use Ben Stokes as the 4th seamer in the second half of the innings. However, there’s still a question mark on the all-rounder’s fitness as a bowler. Moreover, Stokes is also usually expensive in the slog overs.

Players To Watch Out

Here are the 5 CSK players to keep an eye on in the upcoming IPL:

• MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is the stalwart of the CSK Squad 2023 side, and his performances will be crucial for the team. MSD has scored 4978 IPL runs at a brilliant average of 39.2 and a fine strike rate of 135.2. You can buy his stocks for 140 INR in Sportiqo’s market.

• Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar has featured in 6 IPL seasons, and he has grabbed 59 wickets in 63 appearances. He also has an impressive economy rate of 7.8, and he will lead CSK’s pace attack this year. His stocks will cost you ₹120 before the start of the season.

• Ravindra Jadeja

Ravi Jadeja has 2502 runs and 132 wickets to his name in the IPL. He is undoubtedly one of the best all-rounders in IPL history. His current form with both bat and ball suggests that he could be one of the top performers in IPL 2023. So, just go and grab his PCs for ₹160.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

The opener was the orange cap winner when CSK won their 4th title in 2021. He recently smashed 6 sixes in an over in domestic cricket. So, he is currently the most consistent batsman in his team, and his stocks can be bought for ₹150.

• Moeen Ali

The star English all-rounder’s PCs are just ₹160 right now. He has the ability to win games both with bat and ball, so he is one of the hot commodities right now.

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2023 Prediction

CSK Squad 2023 have selected a strong and stable squad for the upcoming IPL season. With world-class batters and all-rounders, they must finish the league stages in one of the top two positions. They should also be able to win one of the two qualifiers and get to the final. However, they are not likely to win their 5th IPL title, and they might lose in the final.

Final Prediction: Runners-up.