IPL 2014: Chennai Super Kings' ideal playing XI

Before the auction, as was the case in 2011, Chennai Super Kings retained the maximum number of players. Once again, they retained their mercurial captain MS Dhoni and the highest run-getter in IPL cricket, Suresh Raina. Alongside the two of them, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo were also retained. Chennai had one ‘Right to Match’ card in the auction and used it to retain the services of Faf du Plessis. With the nucleus of the side retained, Chennai are contenders, as always. The likes of Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Ben Hilfenhaus and Matt Henry only add to what is already a very strong squad.

Here is a look at what Chennai Super Kings’ best starting XI would be for the upcoming IPL.

Brendon McCullum

Faf du Plessis and Brendon McCullum

Although McCullum hasn’t opened the batting for New Zealand in recent times, he still has a lot to offer to Chennai in that position. Especially given that Chennai have an extremely strong middle order with the likes Dhoni, Raina, etc., McCullum will look to grab his opportunity at the top of the order. With the IPL most likely to be shifted out of India, McCullum and du Plessis would provide valuable experience at the top of the order.

For Du Plessis, this is not a new role. He has opened the innings for Chennai in the past, and he does bat in the top 3 for South Africa in T20s. With Du Plessis very capable of playing the anchor role, it could just give McCullum the license to play his natural game and provide Chennai with blazing starts.

Suresh Raina

Raina has 2802 runs in 99 IPL Matches, making him the highest run-scorer in the 6-year history of the league. For Chennai, Raina seems to be a completely different player to what he is when he dons the blue of India. Batting at 3, Raina has turned many a game in Chennai’s favour, and MS Dhoni will be looking for more of the same from Raina.

Baba Aparajith

This season could well be the season of reckoning for Baba Aparajith. After a successful domestic season, Aparajith will, now, set his eyes on the bigger prizes that lie ahead. With tours to England and Australia coming up, Aparajith would love to cement his spot in the Indian side with a string of consistent performances for Chennai. Aparajith could well be used similar to how Subramaniam Badrinath was used – as the anchor in the middle order – who will be promoted up the order in times of trouble and kept back when the sloggers have to take over.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

It is absolutely essential that Dhoni bats at 5 for Chennai. Too many times in the past, for both India and Chennai, Dhoni has been guilty of leaving it too late in the innings, to begin the final assault. Although he is a batsman of immense skill, sometimes, the best fail at what they do. So, Dhoni better not take too many chances. As a leader as well, the way Dhoni manages the egos in the dressing room with other International captains Dwayne Bravo, Du Plessis and McCullum will be pivotal.

Ishwar Pandey

Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja

Both Bravo and Jadeja are among the type of players that Dhoni loves to work with. Both are useful with bat and ball and are electric on the field. Jadeja and Bravo lend that balance to Chennai that all T20 sides crave for. Jadeja has been particularly good with the bat for India in recent times, and with the ball, he is generally miserly. Bravo will most probably once again be Dhoni’s weapon of choice in the death overs, and his variations could come in very handy.

Ravichandran Ashwin

To say that Ashwin has been in bad form recently would be an understatement. Ashwin has neither been able to stop the flow of runs nor has he been able to pick up wickets. When attacked, Ashwin seems bereft of ideas. This has led to him losing his position as India’s lead spinner in Tests. Irrespective of that, Ashwin’s ability cannot be questioned, and with his cricketing brain, a comeback to form shouldn’t be much of a problem.

John Hastings

Before he had to grapple with all his injuries, Hastings, actually, was having a decent time in Australia’s limited overs teams. In the Big Bash League as well, Hastings had a wonderful time with the Melbourne Stars. Hastings is also a very useful death bowler and can wield the long handle, too.

Mohit Sharma and Ishwar Pandey

New ball bowling is an art, and the art is accentuated in T20 cricket because the new ball period is also the powerplay period that the batsmen try to take advantage of. Mohit Sharma rose into the limelight in last season’s IPL, and with the tournament likely to be held in South Africa, both Mohit and Ishwar Pandey will be looking for big seasons ahead.