IPL 2022: Strongest Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Same old familiar faces, the focus as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022.

It’s been only a few days since the conclusion of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, and everywhere there’s only one kind of excitement going on – the predicted playing 11. Well, after a thorough analysis of all the players and teams, we are here to present you the strongest predicted playing 11 of our first team, the Chennai Super Kings. 

The Chennai Super Kings or the Whistle Podu Army have been one of the most consistent sides in IPL history. If we analyze the team’s performance over the years, one of the main reasons for their epic consistency has been the team culture, trust in players, and less chop and changes in the team. 

The IPL 2022 seems no different. CSK have once again Invested in most of their previous squad. Their strategy of going after the tried and tested players seems to have once again taken the centre stage. Although a few potential players couldn’t be retained, they did good equal if not better players from the available pool. 

So, with the kind of squad the team has established, what could be the strongest predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022? Let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s skim through the final squad for CSK post IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Please note, the playing 11 is selected keeping 4-5 batters, minimum 2 all-rounders, 1 wicket-keeper, and minimum 3 pacers in mind. 

IPL 2022 Final Squad for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters and WKs:  C Hari Nishaanth, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu (WK), Devon Conway (WK), MS Dhoni (C&WK), N Jagadeesan (WK), Robin Uthappa (WK) & Subranshu Senapati. 

All-rounders: Bhagath Varma, Dwaine Pretorious, Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & Shivam Dube

Bowlers: Adam Milne, Chris Jordan, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Mukesh Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, M Theekshana & Prashant Solanki

Openers: Devon Conway & Ruturaj Gaikwad

IPL 2021 saw CSK with one of the best opening combinations in IPL – Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Faf du Plessis is now with RCB, CSK managed to get another good player, Devon Conway. The Kiwi opener seems very similar to Faf du Plessis in approach. He can construct the innings well, and can hit big when needed. He seems an ideal replacement for Faf du Plessis, and with MS Dhoni’s leadership, expect Conway to do well.

Supporting Conway will be one of the hottest youngsters in India, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The IPL 2021 Orange Cap winner has been earning accolades in all forms of domestic cricket in India in the last couple of years. Having been retained by CSK ahead of the Auction, the stakes on Ruturaj are once again higher for this year. A strong show is expected from Maharashtra born talented opener.

Middle-order: Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu & MS Dhoni (C&WK)

The CSK seems the have the same middle-order as we had seen in the IPL 2021 final. The likes of Robin Uthappa at 4, Ambati Rayudu at 5, and MS Dhoni at 6. Uthappa and Rayudu had done really well for CSK in the middle-order. There’s no harm in continuing with them even as they are off their prime age. Meanwhile, MS. Dhoni, the captain at 6 would once again be the bridge between finishers and middle-order. 

All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja & Dwayne Bravo

Just like the middle-order, CSK have the same trio of all-rounders in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Dwayne Bravo. While Moeen makes up for a strong batting all-rounder at 3, Jadeja is a complete all-rounder at 7. Whereas Bravo is a good bowling all-rounder at 8. All three are vital cogs of the team, and are important in the role they play. 

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar & Adam Milne

Coming to the bowlers, this is the area that sees the most changes in CSK’s squad. While 2021 had Josh Hazlewood, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar managing the Bowling spots, the 2022 squad is deprived of Shardul Thakur and Josh Hazlewood as both are being purchased by other teams for a whopping amount. 

Instead of Josh Hazlewood, CSK now have the pace of Adam Milne. They also have Chris Jordan and Dwaine Pretorious, but Adam Milne will most likely start as the first-choice pacer for CSK as he is more consistent and lethal as compared to the other two. 

Apart from Adam Milne, CSK would have liked a strong Indian pacer, but they have to now choose from a young Indian pacer vs a Young Indian spinner depending on the type of pitch. If it is a spin-friendly pitch, Prashant Solanki can play. If it is a pace-friendly pitch, then CSK have four options to choose from in the form of KM Asif, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. 

Of the four, Rajvardhan Hangargekar seems to be a potent choice. He is an U19 champ, and fiery pace bowler which CSK want. But of course, there are some allegations that are being presented against Hangargekar for age fraud. If they turn out to be true, Rajvardhan Hangargekar may be banned for life. This would be Most unfortunate, and then Tushar Deshpande seems a good bowler to replace him. 

Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Adam Milne

So, that completes the strongest predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2022. While almost 7-8 player names are sorted, there could be a few changes depending on the pitch and playing 11 combinations. So, barring the above-mentioned strongest predicted playing 11, CSK can also try for the following combinations. 

Other Playing 11 Options for CSK:

• Shivam Dube for Devon Conway and Chris Jordan for Rajvardhan Hangargekar
• Like-for-like replacement of Dwaine Pretorius for Dwayne Bravo to manage to injury concerns
• M Theeksana or Mitchell Santner for Dwayne Bravo for spin-friendly wickets

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for CSK for IPL 2022? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: IPL 2022: Final Squad List for all 10 Teams post Mega Auction

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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.