IPL 2019: 5 opening options for CSK

Chennai Super Kings made a stunning comeback in IPL 2018 by winning its third IPL title. The MS Dhoni led side showed the importance of experience in a format which is considered to be a young man's game.

CSK will be looking to repeat last year's heroics in IPL 2019 as well. They have stuck to more or less the same team, and will start as the favourites to win the tournament.

One of the major reasons for CSK's success last year was the strong starts given by the openers. Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson gave explosive starts to the team in the initial stages of the tournament. And when Rayudu shifted to the middle order, Faf du Plessis played some crucial innings in the playoffs.

Batting is CSK's forte, and it is extremely important for the openers to get the side off to a strong start. CSK have a lot of options when it comes to openers this season. Here are 5 players who can open the innings for them in IPL 2019.

#5 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay is one of the most successful openers in IPL history. He has scored over 1600 runs for CSK, and is 4th in the highest run-getters' list for the team. Vijay also has two IPL centuries to his name.

The elegant right-hand batsman played for Kings XI Punjab during CSK's ban from the IPL in 2016 and 2017. However, he was bought again by the Chennai-based franchise in the 2018 IPL auction.

Vijay missed quite a few matches last season due to injury. He played a solitary game in the entire season, scoring just 12 runs in it. However, the 34-year-old has been in good nick playing for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy; the CSK team management will surely consider him at some point in the tournament.

#4 David Willey

David Willey

David Willey came into the CSK squad as a replacement for the injured Kedar Jadhav in IPL 2018. Willey was retained by CSK for IPL 2019, and the Englishman will look to delivering a strong performance in the tournament.

Even though he is primarily a left-arm opening bowler, Willey has opened the batting for his county teams in England. He has played in the top order for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League too.

CSK can surprise quite a few teams by using Willey as an opener.

#3 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis

After missing out on a majority of matches due to injury, Faf du Plessis made an impactful comeback to CSK in IPL 2018. The Proteas skipper played a match-winning knock of 67 runs off 42 balls in the playoffs against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Du Plessis will be keen to get some runs under his belt in IPL 2019 too, as preparation for the World Cup.

#2 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu's sensational performance was a major reason for CSK's success last year. Rayudu was in belligerent form, hitting 602 runs in 16 matches at an outstanding average of 43.

His terrific performance paved the way for his return to the national side too.

Rayudu played as an opener as well as in the middle order last season. But with Kedar Jadhav back in the side, Rayudu in all likelihood will play as an opener.

#1 Shane Watson

Shane Watson

After a couple of below-par seasons for RCB in the middle order, Shane Watson was given the opportunity to play in the top order by CSK. And the Australian all-rounder responded brilliantly, by playing some exceptional knocks for the team.

Watson scored 555 runs in 15 matches, including a ton in the all-important final, during the 2018 season. He has been in a rich vein of form recently, leading the run charts in the Pakistan Super league.

The 37-year-old will want to extend his purple patch in IPL 2019 for CSK.