IPL 2022: Best Predicted Squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

MS Dhoni and his men ahead for a tough mission as look at the best predicted dream Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad for IPL 2022. 

The IPL 2022 Mega Auction is just a month away, and all the teams are in the planning phase to shortlist the potential players they can target in the auction. To recap, every team was allowed to retain only a maximum of 4 players. But with only 4 retentions allowed, all were left out without the core squad that played for them in 2021. 

Chennai Super Kings, who are currently the defending champions also retained only 4 players in the form of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. All these 4 players bring unique value to the table. However, the team had to let go of their core as a lot of valuable players had to be released ahead of the auction pool. 

So, apart from the 4 players, which are the existing players that CSK would want to get back in the auction. Also, which are existing players whom CSK may not target, but will instead find for their replacements in the form of new players. Let’s look at the predicted dream squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022. 

To keep things simple, we will only look at an 18-member squad as that is the minimum number any squad is asked to maintain. Anything additional is completely an individual franchise decision. Also, we shall be exploring the squad in different categories to give you a wholesome experience. 

Openers

Two Main Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad & Faf du Plessis

Backup Openers: N Jagadeesan

CSK retained the Orange cap winner, Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. This was definitely a brilliant call as Ruturaj is a hot property amongst all talented youngsters at the moment. But the team let go of their other star opener, Faf du Plessis and a potential young backup opener, N Jagadeesan. 

CSK would definitely want both the openers back in the squad for IPL 2022. Faf may not get retained by any of the new teams, so he will be available in the Auction. Given CSK’s value to stick to their regular players, they will get Faf at any cost. Similarly, the localite youngster, N Jagadeesan will be on CSK’s target list. 

Other Batters

Main Middle-order Batters: MS Dhoni, Rahul Tripathi & Nicholas Pooran

Backup Middle-order Batters: Shahrukh Khan

Talking about other batters, CSK could only retain their captain, MS Dhoni. This was definitely expected, but they had to let go of the other good batters, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, and Robin Uthappa. If we talk about 2022, it is unlikely that CSK would go after any of these 3 players given that they are off their prime, and may not be of good value for another 3 years. 

As an alternative to these 3 players, if CSK get the services of Nicholas Pooran, Rahul Tripathi, and Shahrukh khan, it would be fantastic. WK batter, Nicholas Pooran has mostly struggled in PBKS. But under the leadership of MS Dhoni, he can definitely blossom. We have seen this in the past with so many players, and MS Dhoni can definitely utilize Pootan’s aggression in the middle-order. 

Rahul Tripathi and Shahrukh Khan will be the other two good options CSK can look at. MS Dhoni and CSK would be definitely eyeing the Finisher in Shahrukh Khan, and he can play a perfect ploy for them at 6 given his superb finishing skills. Rahul Tripathi is another good option CSK can look at. A strong middle-order and a good backup opener, Maharashtra teammates, Tripathi and Ruturaj can work really well under MS Dhoni. 

All-rounders

Two Main All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja & Moeen Ali  

Backup All-rounders: Sam Curran & Dwaine Pretorius

CSK retained their core two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali. Both are spin bowling all-rounders, and given their capabilities, CSK rarely play an additional spinner in the playing 11 unless the pitch demands it. Apart from these two, CSK had Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo as the other two all-rounders. 

Of the two, CSK will definitely target Sam Curran given how good he has been for CSK. The Yellow Army has always had a soft corner for swing bowling all-rounders, and Sam Curran fits the role perfectly. As a like-for-like replacement for Bravo, CSK can look at bringing in the death-Overs specialist Dwaine Pretorious. The Proteas pacer was very impressive in the T20 World Cup, and can definitely be a good value add to the team. 

Spinners

Main Spinners: Ish Sodhi & Ravichandran Ashwin

Backup Openers: R Sai Kishore, Ravindra Jadeja & Moeen Ali

Talking about spinners, CSK didn’t retain any frontline spinner for IPL 2022. They let go of the likes of Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma, and R Sai Kishore. Of these 4 spinners, CSK might target only R Sai Kishore given his Tamil Nadu connection and an experience of CSK culture. They could target Santner, but that would mean too many finger spinners in the squad. 

From the available pool of players, CSK would want their old chap, Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad. Ever since his inclusion in the Indian team, Ashwin has been a hot property in the T20s. Given his connection with CSK and Tamil Nadu, CSK would want to target him in the Auction. Apart from him, CSK and Stephen Fleming can look at the wrist spin of Ish Sodhi. The Kiwi spinner has also been impressive in the T20 World Cup, and will be a good value add. 

Pacers

Main Pacers: Lockie Ferguson, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar 

Backup Pacers: Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood & Dwaine Pretorius

CSK didn’t retain any pacer ahead of IPL 2022 Auction, but they would want almost all their key pacers back. The likes of Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, and Josh Hazlewood have all done really well for CSK in the past. If given an option, CSK would target all three as they are still valuable resources. 

The only exception CSK can make is to let go of Lungi Ngidi, and instead target the fiery pace of Lockie Ferguson. We all know the Kiwi connection Stephen Fleming brings to the table. There is no question on the capability of Lockie Ferguson, but CSK have always missed raw pace, and Ferguson seems a perfect man for that. If not him, CSK can go for Mark Wood or Adam Milne. 

So, that completes the best predicted dream squad for Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2022. Of the 18 members predicted, we are hopeful of CSK to get at least 10-14 members. In addition to these, CSK can look at youngsters Hari Reddy, M Siddharth, Ashwin Hebbar, R Silambarasan, and Virat Singh. These are potential players, and can be a good backup for regular players. 

IPL 2022: Best Predicted Dream Squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters: Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni, N Jagadeesan, Nicholas Pooran, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Shahrukh Khan

All-rounders: Dwaine Pretorius, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & Sam Curran

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Ish Sodhi, Josh Hazlewood, Lockie Ferguson, R Sai Kishor, Ravichandran Ashwin & Shardul Thakur

Additional Backup Players: Hari Reddy, M Siddharth, Ashwin Hebbar, Raghupathy Silambarasan & Virat Singh

Coach: Stephen Fleming // Captain: MS Dhoni // Vice-captain: Ravindra Jadeja

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted dream Chennai Super Kings squad for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: IPL 2022: Unlucky Playing 11 that missed being retained by Franchises

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.