Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to get off the mark in IPL 2023. The Yellow Army posted a daunting total of 217 runs on the board, the highest of the tournament so far and managed to see off the threat of the Lucknow batters, thanks to Moeen Ali’s exhilarating bowling display in front of a full house in Chepauk.
CSK’s star opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway stitched an explosive opening stand to propel their side to a mammoth total of 217 runs in their first innings. Although their pacers took some serious spanking from the LSG batters, an improved death-bowling performance saw the Yellow Army register their first win of the tournament.
However, they will have to be much more disciplined with the ball when they take on arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the ‘El Clásico’ at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, April 9. Although Mumbai were beaten comprehensively in their first outing, MS Dhoni won’t make the mistake of taking the five-time champions lightly in their upcoming fixture.
Here’s Chennai Super Kings’ predicted XI against Mumbai Indians:
Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway
Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his form from the first game as he showed no mercy to the Lucknow Super Giants in the powerplay. His ballistic 57 off just 31 deliveries provided CSK with a rollicking start for a second successive game. If he continues in the same vein, a return to the national setup could be on the cards for the stylish opener.
While his opening partner took the limelight with some eye-catching shots, Devon Conway did his job with perfection from the other end. Although he missed out on a deserved half-century by just three runs, his 110-run opening stand with Gaikwad in just over nine overs set the platform for CSK to go big in the latter overs.
Middle-order: Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni
Following a belligerent opening stand between the two CSK openers, the hard-hitting Shivam Dube stamped his authority in the game with a breathtaking cameo. He dispatches three maximums and one boundary in his 16-ball stay at the crease, helping his side’s batting cause in the middle overs.
Veteran Indian batter Ambati Rayudu is another CSK batter who revelled in the role of finisher for the side in the game against Lucknow. He raced to 27 runs in just 14 deliveries, smashing two maximums and two boundaries and remained unbeaten at the crease.
A boisterous crowd at Chepauk got what they wanted when their beloved CSK skipper MS Dhoni tonked back-to-back maximums in the last over of the first innings. Dhoni took on English speedster Mark Wood, sending the crowd into a meltdown. His 12 off three balls propelled his side to a daunting total of 217 runs in their 20 overs.
All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja
England’s globetrotting all-rounder Moeen Ali played the leading role in CSK’s victory against KL Rahul’s Lucknow as it was his impeccable bowling spell of 4/26, which brought his side back into the contest after a brisk start by LSG openers. The Southpaw also chipped in with a handy cameo with the bat in the first innings of the match.
CSK’s record signing at the IPL 2023 Auction, Ben Stokes, has failed to live up to his usual high standards in the 16th edition of the tournament so far. England’s red-ball skipper was dismissed cheaply during Chennai’s batting innings and also proved expensive with the ball as he leaked 18 runs in his solitary over in the match.
Ravindra Jadeja also had an off day in the field for CSK as the star all-rounder failed to make a significant contribution with either the bat or the ball. He managed just three runs with the bat at the fag end of the innings and leaked 14 runs in his only over in the match.
Bowlers: Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar
While Moeen Ali took home the plaudits for his exceptional bowling spell, the English all-rounder received valiant support from Mitchell Santner. Although he managed just one wicket in his four overs, he was one of the standout performers with the ball, as he conceded just 21 runs in a high-scoring affair in Chennai.
Deepak Chahar had a nightmare outing for the four-time champions in their encounter against LSG as the star pacer leaked 55 runs in his four overs, the most he has conceded in an IPL match. He failed to extract swing with the new ball and was erratic with his line and length as well against the LSG openers.
After an impressive IPL debut against the Gujarat Titans, Rajvardhan Hangargekar failed to have the same impact against LSG in his second match of the tournament. He conceded 24 runs in his two overs and concluded a horrid outing for the CSK pacers playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in three years.
CSK Predicted XI:
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar
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Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Shaik Rasheed, Ajinkya Rahane, Nishant Sindhu
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