Chennai Super Kings predicted XI for IPL 2021

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had their worst-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign last year, as they finished 7th and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their storied history.

MS Dhoni's men had a good IPL 2021 auction, though. They signed off-spinning all-rounders Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham, along with a few young Indian talents and veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara.

CSK will aim to put the demons of their IPL 2020 campaign behind them, and start afresh on their quest to pull level with the Mumbai Indians as the most successful franchise in league history.

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CSK's predicted playing XI for IPL 2021

This year's IPL is still months away, but we attempt to predict what CSK's ideal playing XI will look like.

CSK's squad for IPL 2021: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, R Sai Kishore, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, M Harisankar Reddy, K Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishaanth

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Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis

Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of CSK's saving graces towards the end of IPL 2020

After a highly disappointing start to his IPL career, Ruturaj Gaikwad came into his own towards the end of CSK's season. The young opener smashed fifties in each of his last 3 games, and looked classy and confident in the middle.

Gaikwad didn't have great returns in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but he'll be keen to make an impression once again for CSK. He has the perfect platform to launch his career under the watchful eye of MS Dhoni, who will no doubt back him fully this time around.

Gaikwad has a number of options who could partner him at the top of the order. N Jagadeesan has scored heaps of runs as usual, while Robin Uthappa has made his way to the team from the Rajasthan Royals. Ambati Rayudu has opened the innings in the past as well, but the most likely choice is Faf du Plessis.

Du Plessis was CSK's standout batsman last year, aggregating 449 runs in 13 games at an average of 40.81 and a strike rate of 140.75. The South African, who recently retired from Test cricket, is best utilised at the top of the order.

CSK will have a solid Indian-overseas, youthful-experienced opening pair if they go for Gaikwad and Du Plessis.

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Middle Order: Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk)

Suresh Raina returns to CSK after missing a season

Suresh Raina will return to the CSK side for IPL 2021 and reclaim his rightful place at No. 3 in the batting order. The team's vice-captain hasn't played a lot of top-level cricket recently, and his form will certainly be under scrunity.

But importantly, Raina will be a familiar figure synonymous with success at CSK. The only campaign in which they didn't make the playoffs, uncoincidentally, didn't feature the southpaw. His return will bring a sense of calm to the side, as well as balance due to the handy off-spin he bowls.

At No. 4 will be Ambati Rayudu. The Hyderabad-born batsman is another player who'll come into IPL 2021 without much match practice, but he can be counted on to improve upon the tally of 359 runs he scored last year. Rayudu will be the anchor of the batting order, and he will be able to rotate strike as the other batsmen play their shots around him.

CSK captain MS Dhoni will slot in at No. 5 in IPL 2021. Dhoni has always been used as a floater, and this year will be no different. He is on the back of his worst-ever IPL season, and can be expected to come back strong with both his batting and his wicket-keeping.

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All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali

Ravindra Jadeja has morphed into a reliable lower-order batsman for CSK

Three left-handed all-rounders make up CSK's lower-middle order. Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and Sam Curran will lend incredible balance and depth to the CSK playing XI.

While Jadeja has morphed into a reliable batsman for CSK and took up finishing duties last year successfully, his bowling will welcome a return to Chepauk. Sam Curran was the star attraction for the team last year, and he'll be keen on going one better by putting in a few Man of the Match performances.

The final all-rounder spot is a toss-up between Moeen Ali and Dwayne Bravo. The former isn't exactly a sureshot starter in the presence of a similiar Indian option in expensive signing Krishnappa Gowtham, but he should get the nod due to his superior batting ability and performances over the years in T20 cricket.

Bravo, on the other hand, has been steadily on the decline. Injuries have ravaged him over the last few years, taking a toll on his pace and aggression, while the runs have steadily dried up as well. The recent development of Shardul Thakur with the bat might also convince captain MS Dhoni that it's time to leave his trusted lieutenant out of the playing XI.

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Bowlers: Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir

Is Shardul Thakur the all-rounder set to come to the fore in IPL 2021?

Shardul Thakur was one of CSK's better performers last season, even though he had only 10 wickets in 9 games at an economy rate of 8.5 to show for. He almost always got the ball to talk, and nailed a few slower balls and wide yorkers at the death.

Thakur should be a regular feature of the CSK playing XI in IPL 2021. After a superb showing in Australia, he will be expected to contribute in both departments. Being an Indian, he will also allow the team to play an overseas bowler or all-rounder.

Deepak Chahar didn't have one of his better campaigns in the IPL last year. While his economy rate of 7.61 was very respectable, he scalped only 12 wickets in the 14 games he played and didn't bowl at any stage of the innings apart from the powerplay. Chahar will eye redemption in IPL 2021, with his place in the team under no real threat.

The final spot in the CSK playing XI will be chosen based on venue. At home, where turn is expected as always, Imran Tahir should get the nod. The veteran leg-spinner is still going strong, and although he was benched for most of IPL 2020, he is one of the team's key players.

Away from Chepauk, CSK are likely to go with Lungi Ngidi. The South African speedster adds a new dimension to the bowling attack with his raw pace, and barring a couple of no-ball-ridden spells last year, has been a solid performer. Josh Hazlewood is another option at CSK's disposal.

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CSK's predicted playing XI for IPL 2021: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir