Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spent 30.40 crore in the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL) auction in Dubai, to add eight players to their squad. Among those eight players, some notable names were New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Bangladesh’s pacer Mustafizur Rahman, and Team India’s all-rounder, Shardul Thakur.
Their costliest buy was Mitchell, who was sold to them at a hefty amount of INR 14 crore. The Yellow Army also splurged INR 8.40 crore on the uncapped Uttar Pradesh player Sameer Rizvi. After the mini-auction, it’s time to handpick players who might become CSK’s best 11-member squad for the IPL 2024.
Here is the playing XI of CSK after the conclusion of the mini-auction:
1. Devon Conway
Devon Conway. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Devon Conway’s responsibility will be to deliver ferocious starts to the team. In the previous season, he played his part efficiently and made a major contribution to the side’s record-equalling fifth title triumph. The New Zealand batter ended up as the third-leading run-getter in the tournament with 672 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 139.70.
However, Conway struggled to be among the runs with his bat in T20 Internationals (T20Is) played in 2023. In the calendar year, the 32-year-old scored only 78 runs in six matches at a dismal strike rate of 109.85. CSK fans will keep their expectation high from the Kiwi stalwart for 2024 and he will look to justify his role with the bat.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo source: BCCI/IPL)
Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased his batting mettle in CSK colours in 2023. Playing 16 games, he notched up 590 runs in 16 matches at a fine strike rate of 147.50. The India batter complemented his Kiwi opening partner throughout the tournament and ended up as the second-highest run-scorer for Chennai in the season.
After the 2023 IPL, Gaikwad tasted success in international cricket as well. The youngster guided India to the gold medal with his captaincy in the 2022 Asian Games. Noting his leadership talent, CSK may see him as MS Dhoni’s successor in the future. The 26-year-old also smashed his maiden international ton against Australia in a T20I game at the Barsapara Stadium, in Guwahati.
3. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Ajinkya Rahane looked exceptional with his bat in the 2023 IPL edition, racking up 326 runs in 11 innings of 14 matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 172.48. His incredible performance helped him get retained in the side for the upcoming IPL season. Considering Rahane’s sensational batting numbers, skipper Dhoni might give him the task to bat in the top order again for CSK in 2024.
Following the 2023 IPL, Rahane didn’t look great with his bat for Mumbai in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The right-handed batter scored only 175 runs in seven innings of eight matches at a strike rate of 123.23. In the marquee tournament, CSK will want the veteran to be among the runs and regain his form.
4. Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell (Photo Source: Twitter)
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell ended up as the third-costliest player in the IPL 2024 auction after getting picked up for an enormous price of INR 14 crore by CSK. Mitchell’s 2023 World Cup performance convinced the franchise to invest a massive amount in him in the auction. In the upcoming tournament, the New Zealander will have to justify his heavy price tag.
Mitchell made his IPL debut in 2022 for Rajasthan Royals (RR). In the pink jersey, he scored only 33 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 75.00. He will look to display his best in the CSK camp in 2024. Chennai’s skipper Dhoni will also look to utilise the Kiwi batter’s talent for the best of the team.
After parting ways with England’s Ben Stokes, the CSK team management may hand Mitchell the responsibility to bat at number four. The 32-year-old’s numbers are magnificent as a number four batter for New Zealand. He has amassed 283 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 140.09.
5. Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Shivam Dube is known for his aggressive batting style in T20 cricket. The left-handed batter provides flexibility to CSK’s batting line-up. Super Kings have tried him in different numbers in the team and he has looked decent in every spot. However, with Rahane’s presence, Dube might be seen batting at number five.
The 30-year-old’s numbers reveal that he is a reliable batter for CSK. Serving the side since 2022, he has scored 707 runs in 25 innings of 27 matches at a notable strike rate of 157.46. In 2024, Chennai will require his support in the middle order to defend the title successfully.
Talking about his recent batting displays, he has failed to be effective in the 2023-24 domestic season after failing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the 2023-24 SMAT, he could score only 186 runs for Mumbai in eight innings at a strike rate of 124.00. However, he will look to forget his previous failures and go to the 2024 IPL with confidence.
6. MS Dhoni (C/Wk)
CSK vs RCB 2011 Dhoni’s 70 of 40 ball. (Photo Source: Twitter)
MS Dhoni will be back in action for CSK fans again in the IPL 2024 edition. After the 2019 installment, he hasn’t produced anything special from his bat but his leadership presence has benefitted the team. In 2023, the Yellow Army lifted the coveted trophy for the record fifth time and became the joint-most successful team in the league, along with Mumbai Indians (MI).
In 2024, Dhoni might call time on his IPL career and he will strive to bid adieu to the sport, adding another title victory as a skipper. The veteran’s eyes will also search for a player who can be handed the CSK’s rein for the future.
7. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja (Photo Source: twitter)
Ravindra Jadeja proved his batting mettle again for Chennai in the 2023 IPL final against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium. The southpaw hit a maximum in the last delivery of the game and took his team home. Riding on his batting heroics, Chennai got the better of GT and clinched the trophy again within two years.
As a bowler, he took 20 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.56 and ended up as the joint-fifth highest wicket-taker in the competition, with Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Varun Chakravarthy. CSK will want one of their oldest stalwarts to be in his top form again to retain the trophy in the upcoming T20 extravaganza.
8. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Shardul Thakur will don CSK’s jersey again after three years. The India all-rounder was snapped up for INR 4 crore by the defending champions in the 2024 IPL auction held in Dubai. In the previous season, he represented KKR and struggled to be among the wickets. Playing 11 games, he got only seven wickets at a miserable economy of 10.48.
The 32-year-old will look to regain his form in CSK colours. Back in 2021, Shardul’s best bowling numbers came while serving Chennai. In Super Kings’ fourth title triumph, he chipped in with 21 wickets in 16 games and ended up as the joint-third leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
9. Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Deepak Chahar will have to be disciplined with the ball in the 2024 IPL. In 2023, he played 10 games but failed to be fierce with the ball. The pacer could bag only 13 wickets at an expensive economy of 8.74. Despite his ordinary performance in 2023, CSK retained him due to his credible performances in the past.
Chahar will have to grab this opportunity with both hands and deliver some match-winning spells to the team. The 31-year-old has been associated with the franchise since 2018 and currently, he is one of the leading wicket-takers for the side with 71 scalps in 68 games at a decent economy of 7.84.
10. Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Maheesh Theekshana will support Jadeja to bolster CSK’s spin-bowling unit. The youngster has performed exceptionally for CSK, thus far. In the last two seasons, he took 23 wickets in 22 contests at a frugal economy of 7.77.
However, his recent bowling numbers aren’t attractive as he failed to be effective for Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup. In the tournament, his endeavours will be to play aggressive cricket and regain his form. The 23-year-old contributed 11 wickets to CSK’s trophy win in 2023. He will look to continue his brilliant work for the team in 2024.
11. Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana and Faf du Plessis. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Sri Lanka’s young speedster Matheesha Pathirana won several hearts after his spunky bowling performance for CSK in the 2023 IPL season. The speedster took 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 8.01 and grabbed a lot of eyeballs. In the final against GT at the Narendra Modi Stadium, he was the most successful bowler for CSK. The paceman recorded 2/44 figures in his four-over spell.
Pathirana’s role will be crucial for CSK in the upcoming tournament as he will assist Chahar and Thakur in strengthening Chennai’s fast-bowling unit. The 21-year-old can bowl above 145 km/h consistently and has slow deliveries, yorkers, and bouncers. The Sri Lanka player will be expected to display discipline with the ball and help CSK defend the title successfully.
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