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The colossal festival of cricket, IPL, is just three weeks away, and the excitement levels have already gone high. This edition of IPL is expected to be a standout as the two franchises, CSK and RR, are returning to the fray after serving a two-year ban.
Having done a fair bit of job at the 2018 IPL Player Auctions, CSK would now be more or less looking forward to churning out the best possible combinations of playing 11 from their squad. The opening slot will be one of the most important matters of discussion for CSK.
Here we take a look at five plausible options whom CSK can consider for the opening slot in the upcoming edition of IPL.
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#1 Narayan Jagadeesan
The right-handed prodigy from Tamil Nadu, Narayan Jagadeesan, has been a vital cog in his state-side, ever since his debut in 2016-17 domestic season. Jagadeesan came to the limelight after a highly impressive stint in the first season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League in 2016. He is a more than safe gloveman to add to his dazzling batting skills and with age on his side, he can only get better.
Jagadeesan had a decent domestic season this year. Having shown adaptability across all the formats, he is a utility package with batting as a stronger suit. He enjoyed an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2017-18 where he amassed 152 runs at a fantastic average of 38.00, and a decent strike-rate of 129.91. Thus, Jagadeesan's quality batting up the order makes him an ideal choice as an opener for MS Dhoni.
T20 Numbers- Matches: 13 | Runs: 216 | Avg: 30.85 | S/R: 127.05
#2 Faf du Plessis
The South African captain, Faf du Plessis, was the first player to be retained by CSK, with the help of RTM card, in the 2018 IPL Player Auctions.His deal with CSK happens to be the most reasonable in this year's auctions - Rs.1.6 Cr for a world-class batsman.
Faf has opened for CSK it in the past and would like to do it again. He happens to be one of the kinds who can play at different positions in the batting order. However, this time around, with MS Dhoni leading the pack, Faf might get the opening slot to bat.
T20 Numbers- Matches: 172 | Runs: 3855 | Avg: 27.34 | S/R: 124.31
#3 Murali Vijay
The right-handed batsman from Chennai, Murali Vijay, is one of the most versatile openers in the age of modern day cricket. Vijay is a good timer of the ball and tends to power the ball with his forearms.
He is also an excellent player of spin, with nimble feet to get to the pitch of the ball and a quick understanding of the length, and can be brutal with his signature loft over long-on.
Vijay has a good IPL record while opening the innings for CSK. He was the highest run-getter in the 2010 Champions League in South Africa, which CSK won. He was the Man of the match in the final in the 2011 edition as his 52-ball 95 helped his team overcome RCB to clinch the title.
However, for quite a while now, Vijay hasn't played T20 cricket, but, given his reputation, we can't rule him out for the opening slot. Thus, CSK, in the upcoming edition of IPL, would see Vijay as a potential candidate for the opening slot.
T20 Numbers- Matches: 153 | Runs: 3727 | Avg: 25.52 | S/R: 121.55
#4 Shane Watson
The fiery all-rounder from Australia, Shane Watson, is one of the best all-rounders in the modern day and age. His strong power game, and ability to handle pace and spin with equal ease make him an ideal combination for the T20 format. Apart from being a quality batsman, Watson is a smart medium pacer too.
Watson had a decent BBL this year. In BBL 2017-18, Watson scored 331 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 36.78, and a decent strike-rate of 139.08. His exceptional performance in BBL bagged him a Rs.4 Cr deal with CSK.
With irregularities in the opening slot, CSK would like to hand the matter into the hands of Watson who has opened for RR in the past.
T20 Numbers- Matches: 258 | Runs: 6455 | Avg: 29.20 | S/R: 138.45
#5 Sam Billings
Coming from the illustrious county of wicket-keeper batsmen, Sam Billings is the modern definition of that category. He is a livewire behind the stumps while also possessing the ability to dominate the bowling from the word go.
Alike Watson, Billings had a decent BBL too. In BBL 2017-18, he scored 156 runs at a decent average of 31.2, and an astonishing strike-rate of 141.82.
With a legendary wicket-keeper, MS Dhoni, in the side for CSK, Billings wouldn't get a chance as the wicket-keeper batsman in the playing XI. However, considering his exploits as a batsman and a fielder, he might be looked in by CSK as a potential choice for the opening slot in the upcoming edition of IPL.
T20 Numbers- Matches: 132 | Runs: 2441 | Avg: 22.19 | S/R: 128.06
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