Suryakumar yadav and Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
One of the teams that has been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has emerged as the most successful franchise along with Mumbai Indians (MI). The holders of five titles have qualified for the playoff stages 12 times in the 14 seasons they have played and have appeared in a record 10 finals.
Their dominance is very evident and a major share of the credit goes to former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Each season CSK enter the tournament as one of the favourites with quality players in their squad, led by the mastermind behind the stumps. However, the Chennai-based franchise will miss the services of their talisman in the leadership role in the 2024 IPL.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will be leading the team for the first time but he will have the guidance of Dhoni and the support of talented players. Despite the change in captaincy, nothing is lacking from the team and they will be a strong contender for the title this time around.
Here is the Best XI that can beat the defending champions CSK:
11. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The Indian pacer can easily make it to the best playing XI against any team. Bumrah has been a key player for Mumbai Indians since his IPL debut in 2013. The backbone of the MI pace attack has so far played 120 IPL matches and has taken 145 wickets at an average of 23.31.
He also boasts an impressive record against MI’s biggest rival CSK. The right-arm pacer has played 14 matches against Dhoni and Co. over the years and has taken 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.73. Notably, in the 2019 IPL final, where MI won their fourth title, Bumrah was awarded the Player of the Match for his smashing 2/14.
Bumrah, who was instrumental in MI’s title wins in the 2017, 2019 and 2020 seasons, missed the previous edition due to injury. However, he is back in the squad this time to once again spearhead the pace attack.
10. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
The Australian pacer doesn’t have much of a record in the IPL, not because of lack of form, but because he hasn’t been a part of the tournament for most of the season. Starc partnered with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 and 2015 seasons, taking 34 wickets in both seasons.
He was roped in by KKR in 2018 but missed the entire tournament due to an injury. However, the left-arm pacer is back in the cash-rich for the 17th edition as the most expensive player after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) picked him for a staggering Rs 24.75 Crore.
Known for his accuracy in length, sheer pace and ability to nail yorkers, Starc is one of the most lethal pacers in the present era. He will spearhead KKR’s bowling attack this season and will join Bumrah in this line-up to wreak havoc.
Also read: Best XI that can beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru
9. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan (Photo source: IPL)
One can imagine the strength of this XI if you have Rashid Khan, who can change the course of the game with bat and bowl, at number nine. The mystery spinner of Afghanistan is a nightmare for the opposition batters. He has an array of variations in his bowling arsenal to trouble the batters.
Rashid has played 15 matches against CSK and has taken 14 wickets in IPL history. An impressive economy of 7.49 and best bowling figures of 3/36 have been added to his portfolio. In the 2023 season, the Gujarat Titans (GT) star had a poor outing, picking up just three wickets at an economy of 9.72.
On top of that, the 25-year-old is also a gun fielder and a power-hitter who can make some great cameos in the lower middle order. Rashid is expected to play a key role for GT in the upcoming season and lead the spin attack of this lineup.
8. Andre Russell
Andre Russell Gujarat Titans. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Andre Russell, a key asset in the KKR team, has a great record against CSK. The Caribbean storm is a nightmare for the opposition because when he is on song, the bowlers rarely have a smile on their faces. Russell’s fearsome batting stance makes bowlers lose half of their confidence.
The Windies power-hitter has singlehandedly won many games for KKR over the years with his all-around prowess. Russell has played 112 matches and scored 2262 runs with an excellent strike rate of 174. He also took 96 wickets with his right-arm fast deliveries.
Russell scored 311 runs at a strike rate of 168.10 against CSK and took 9 wickets. His performances have been on the decline in recent years but KKR have retained him in the auction as they expect him to be at his best in the coming season.
7. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: Mumbai Indians)
Hardik Pandya is one of the finest all-rounders in IPL history. He was associated with MI for several years and moved to GT ahead of the 2022 season. He is now back with the five-time champions as their captain for the 2024 season.
The 30-year-old has scored 208 runs at a strike rate of 148.57 and took 8 wickets at an economy rate of 7.53 against CSK. In IPL 2023, he was not impressive in both the departments and notably, his team lost to CSK in a thrilling final.
Hardik played a crucial role in MI’s triumph in the 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 editions. He won his fifth IPL title with GT as their skipper in 2022. MI handed over their captaincy baton to Hardik as they hope the fast-bowling all-rounder will repeat his heroics for them.
6. Dinesh Karthik (WK)
Dinesh Karthik (Photo Source – Twitter/X)
Veteran cricketer Dinesh Karthik will handle the wicket-keeping duties of this team. Karthik, who is currently associated with RCB, holds the record for the fourth-highest runs against CSK in IPL history. The right-hander has scored 675 runs in 31 matches against the five-time champions.
Karthik has played 240 matches in the league for various franchises. However, he never donned the yellow jersey of CSK. The 38-year-old scored 4516 runs at an average of 25.81 and a strike rate of 132.71.
Since 2022, he has been with RCB and in his maiden season, the Tamil Nadu cricketer played a key role in their campaign with his finishing skills. Karthik had a poor outing last season but was retained by RCB in the 2024 mega auction as the franchise felt he had more left in his armoury.
5. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
A T20 team without Glenn Maxwell is impossible in today’s era. The Aussie has showcased his prowess with both bat and ball in international level and league cricket. He has been a key cog in the RCB squad since the 2021 season and is expected to deliver another exceptional performance for them this time around.
Known for his finishing skills, Maxwell can single-handedly win matches when he has a good touch. His ability to score all over the ground, and switch hit with powerful arms, bowlers always hesitate to bowl against him. He can also chip in with some crucial wickets with his off-spin deliveries.
Last year Maxwell scored a blazing 76 runs of just 36 balls against CSK in a high-scoring encounter. However, his valiant effort went in vain as RCB lost the match by a margin of 8 runs.
4. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Master of innovation Suryakumar Yadav is currently the world’s best T20 batter in the world. Known for his 360-degree shots, the Mumbai cricketer is a boon to any team. He has a variety of shots that leave the bowlers confused as to where to bowl.
T20 cricket is about playing impactful knocks rather than scoring more runs for the team. But Suryakumar is someone who can do both. He is one of the most reliable batters in the MI lineup and will patrol the middle order for this side as well.
Suryakumar is a match-winner for MI and he has done it several times against CSK as well. The right-hander has played 139 matches and has scored over 3000 runs with a strike rate of 143.32.
3. Virat Kohli
RCB Virat Kohli
Irrespective of the format, Virat Kohli is a key player in any top XI. Kohli is not an aggressive player but knows how to win games with his classical cricketing shots. The former RCB captain holds several records in the tournament, one of which is the most runs.
Having played 238 IPL matches, Kohli has accumulated over 7000 runs at an average of 37.29, including seven centuries. He also has a good record against CSK. The right-hander is the second-highest run-scorer against the Yellow Army – 985 runs from 31 matches and 9 half-centuries (stats till IPL 2023).
Kohli will yet again lead the RCB batting unit in the 2024 season and fans are expecting a visual treat from their favourite. The batting stalwart’s experience and ability to read the game make him ideal to play at number three.
2. Rohit Sharma (C)
Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: IPL)
Rohit Sharma is one of the most dangerous openers in limited overs cricket and he will do the job for this team along with Shikhar Dhawan. However, in the IPL, the veteran cricketer is known for his captaincy heroics. Having led MI to glory five times, Rohit is regarded as one of the most successful captains in the history of the tournament.
The 36-year-old has played 243 IPL matches and has scored over 6000 runs at a strike rate of 130.05, including a century. Meanwhile, Rohit has scored the third most runs against CSK – 791 runs and also has seven fifties against them.
The right-hander will play as a pure batter in the 2024 season as Hardik Pandya is set to lead MI. Without the pressure of captaincy on his shoulders, Rohit is expected to turn on his beast mode in the upcoming edition.
1. Shikhar Dhawan
Punjab IPL (Photo Source -Twitter/X)
Shikhar Dhawan holds the record for most runs scored against CSK in IPL history. The southpaw has piled up 1057 runs against them in 29 matches. He is the only batter to score over 1000 runs against the Yellow Brigade.
Dhawan, who is with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2024 season, is the second leading run-scorer in the tournament. The senior Indian cricketer has smashed over 6600 runs in 217 matches at an average of 35.19 and a strike rate of 127.16. The 38-year-old also has two centuries to his name.
Dhawan faced stiff competition from Australia’s David Warner to feature in this XI. Warner, who has multiple Orange Caps, was unfortunately left out of the XI as only four foreign players are allowed in the squad.