IPL 2018: CSK's strongest playing XI for the playoffs

Middle-order

#3 Suresh Raina

Raina has played some good innings in the middle-order for CSK this year

Suresh Raina, one of the most successful batsmen in IPL history, was one of three players retained by CSK before the auction. The southpaw has repaid the faith put in him by playing some steady innings. He has been the backbone of CSK's middle-order this season, providing stability with some consistent displays. Raina has scored 315 runs at an impressive average of 35 this season. He would look to score big runs during the business end of the competition and his experience will be important in CSK's quest for their third IPL title.

#4 MS Dhoni

Dhoni is back to his best

Mahendra Singh Dhoni seems to be a man on a mission this season. He has worked on the areas that bowlers targeted him in the last couple of years and has played with intent. Dhoni is having one of the best IPL seasons of his career and has already scored 413 runs at a mind-boggling average of 103.25. What will please Dhoni fans the most is his fantastic strike-rate - 162.59. He has also led the side well and is one of the major reasons for CSK's grand comeback into the IPL.

#5 Sam Billings

Billings during his innings of 56 off 23 against KKR

Sam Billings announced himself in IPL 2018 with a match-winning innings of 56 runs off 23 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to build on the initial success as he has struggled to get going of late, especially against the spinners. To be fair to Billings, he has batted mostly in the death overs and with Faf du Plessis and Murali Vijay out of form, CSK are likely to stick with him.