IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Playing 11 and Strengths
All-rounders, the key focus as we look at the best strengths and weakness and playing 11 for IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
It has been four years since the Chennai Super Kings played at Fortress Chennai, but the IPL 2023 has finally united the Yellow Army with the Whistle Podu fans. We have seen five matches in IPL 2023 for the Whistle Army, and they have won three and lost two matches including a defeat at Fortress Chennai.
It’s not the kind of start they would have wanted, but seeing their IPL 2022 performance, it certainly is a good start. Nevertheless, seeing the kind of squad CSK have assembled for IPL 2023, they would hope to have a better performance in the next 9 matches including five home matches.
While CSK Squad does cover some really good basics, they do have some grey areas. For example, some of their star players are often injured or ruled out. The likes of which include Deepak Chahar, Ben Stokes, and Mukesh Choudhary. So, considering all the possibilities, let’s look at the best strengths and playing 11 for CSK for IPL 2023.
IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings Updated Squad:
Overseas:
Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana & Sisanda Magala
Indian:
Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaik Rasheed & Subhranshu Senapati, MS Dhoni (c), Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma, Nishant Sindhu, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Akash Singh, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, & Tushar Deshpande
Strengths:
#1: Pool of All-rounders
If there’s one area where Chennai Super Kings outperforms every other team in the tournament, it is the all-rounders. The Whistle Podu army has it all. Be it spin all-rounders or pace all-rounders, CSK have them in abundance with as many as five first-class options. The likes of strong all-rounders include Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, and Dwaine Pretorius.
#2: Potent Spin Attack
Chennai Super Kings are known to invest in spinners, and with them returning to Fortress Chennai this year, they have some quality spinners in their squad. With CSK expected to at least 9-10 matches on spin-friendly pitches, the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Ravindra Jadeja, Moene Ali, and Mitchell Santner will have a huge role to play in the success of CSK.
#3: Great Batting Depth
When you have a player like MS Dhoni coming in to bat at the number 8 position with Deepak Chahar and Pretorius to follow, you are talking of some really great batting depth. Not just quantity, the kind of batters that CSK have, they really form some formidable batting line-up. With such a batting lineup, one thing you don’t expect is one-sided matches with CSK batting going down.
Weaknesses:
#1: Lack of Quality Pacers
While CSK have a lot of quality all-rounders and spinners in their squad, pacers is an area where they struggle big time. Except for outdated Chahar, there’s absolutely no lead and experienced pacer in the squad. All other pacers like Matheesha Pathirana, Sisanda Malgala, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Akash Singh lack experience.
Apart from these seven pacers, CSK does have all-round pace options in the form of Ben Stokes and Dwaine Pretorius. However, expecting them to do the job would be overkill. While young Mukesh Choudhary was good, he was unfortunately been ruled out of IPL 2023 already due to injury.
So, that’s about the key strengths and weaknesses of CSK for IPL 2023. When it comes to playing 11, let’s evaluate the best 11 players keeping batting first and bowling first in mind. The following playing 11 is considered keeping all players fit and fine. In case of any injuries, we can look at the impact substitute options.
Best Playing 11 for IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings:
IPL 2023 – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11 while Batting First
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni [c&wk], Deepak Chahar, Simarjeet Singh & Maheesh Theekshana
IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11 while Bowling First
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni [c&wk], Deepak Chahar, Akash Singh, Simarjeet Singh & Maheesh Theekshana
CSK Impact Players Options: Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Shaik Rasheed, Subranshu Senapati, Dwaine Pretorius & Mitchell Santner
Concluding the analysis, CSK have a really strong chance of finishing in the top 4. If MS Dhoni can maintain the atmosphere that he has been maintaining in the Chennai camp, they can overcome their pace bowling weakness, and finish the season with another trophy.
Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the strengths and weaknesses of CSK for IPL 2023 Chennai Super Kings? Please email your thoughts to cric8fanatic@gmail.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Best Strengths and Weakness
