CSK Predicted Playing 11 vs LSG for Match 34 of IPL 2024

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 34 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Ekana Stadium on Friday, April 19.

The Super Kings struggled on the road in their third and fourth matches of the tournament, but find themselves back in the win column. They are on the back of a morale-boosting away win against the Mumbai Indians (MI) and are comfortably placed third in the standings.

Richard Gleeson has been announced as a replacement for Devon Conway, who has been ruled out of the season. However, the Englishman is unlikely to enter the fray anytime soon, and Chennai are bound to stick with the combination that has got them this far.

CSK's squad for IPL 2024: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ajay Mandal, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Prashant Solanki, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Aravelly Avanish Rao, Richard Gleeson.

Here's CSK's predicted playing XII (including an impact sub) for Match 34 of IPL 2024 against LSG.

---

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) and Rachin Ravindra

Ajinkya Rahane opened the batting in the last game against MI, and it seemed like a smart tactical move to make the most of his pace-hitting ability in the powerplay. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad later revealed that it was because of a calf niggle the veteran batter was dealing with.

It remains to be seen if Rahane has fully recovered. If he has, he could slot back at No. 3, with Gaikwad at the top of the order alongside Rachin Ravindra. The Kiwi southpaw has had a rough run of form lately and will want to get back among the runs.

---

Middle order: Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk)

The CSK middle order is expected to wear a similar look. Perhaps the only question they could have is whether to replace Daryl Mitchell with Moeen Ali.

Mitchell has struggled to get going in IPL 2024 against both pace and spin. He hasn't inspired much confidence, and Moeen is a proven performer at the franchise. Moreover, the veteran English all-rounder would give the Super Kings an off-spin matchup option against the likes of Quinton de Kock.

However, CSK might just persist with Mitchell for a bit longer, given the amount they shelled out for him at the auction.

Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni will be the other names in the lineup. While Rizvi will be in search of some time in the middle, Dhoni should ideally bat higher in the order.

---

Lower order: Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana

Deepak Chahar is currently on the sidelines with a niggle. Coach Stephen Fleming stated that he is recovering well, but Shardul Thakur is expected to continue being part of the side.

Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, and Matheesha Pathirana are three players who have performed well this season. Although CSK would love to have an extra spinner, they are likely to persist with the same combination.

---

CSK's predicted playing XII (inc. impact sub): Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana.

Other impact sub candidates: Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary.