IPL 2019: Ideal batting line-up for the Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings are currently the defending champions of the Indian Premier League. Their comeback after a two-year suspension went perfectly according to the plan as the men in yellow got their hands on the glittering trophy.

Going into the 2019 season, the CSK have not made a lot of chopping and changing in their squad. The CSK unit has got a lot of depth with as many as three players competing for a spot in the XI in various roles.

In this article, we will figure out the best Top 7 combination that the Super Kings could go with in the twelfth edition of the IPL:

#1 Shane Watson

Shane Watson

The 37-year-old Australian all-rounder has established himself as a premier batsman in the Chennai franchise after a robust 2018 season with the bat. Watson notched up two tons in CSK's comeback year including 117 in the final when they were hunting down a very big score. He amassed 555 runs last season.

Watson presence at the top gives the CSK a certainty of getting off to a brisk start. He can hammer the spinner with ease in the middle overs as well. Hence, Watson is an automatic choice for the CSK when it comes to opening the batting.

#2 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis

The South African captain has been a vital cog for the Chennai Super Kings for several years at the top of the order. Du Plessis portrays amazing ability to manoeuvre the spinners into gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking and launch an assault when required.

Above all, he is an extraordinary fielder who can pluck catches out of thin air. Hence, du Plessis will be hard to ignore in the CSK squad. He will be the ideal man to partner Watson at the top.

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina has been known as Mr.IPL for his stupendous contribution to the league over the years both as a batsman and as an overall cricketer. He has made the No.3 spot in the CSK batting line-up his and it is beyond doubt who should be occupying the same this season.

Raina can play according to the situation and take risks throughout the course of the game. He is a very dynamic player who is seldom behind in terms of his strike rate. Raina will play a huge role in CSK's year of title defence.

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu's career has seen a great turnaround after joining the men in yellow. Rayudu scored 602 runs for the CSK last season and showed his class as a batsman.

Last season, Rayudu batted at his unnatural position at the top and scored truckloads of runs. However, this season, the CSK can list him at his preferred position in the middle order at No.4 to allow him to play his natural game.

Rayudu can even shift to the top in case any of the openers is missing a game.

#5 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, the big-daddy of the IPL, will once again marshall his troops to the title defense in 2019. After having a rough time with the bat in 2018, Dhoni is finally back to his run-scoring ways as he showed against Australia in January.

Dhoni is the ideal choice to come in at No.5 when the foundation has been laid by the top order and it is time to go berserk. He can move up to the order if the CSK have reached the death overs having plenty of wickets in hand.

#6 Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav made a match-winning contribution by seeing CSK home with an injured hamstring in the lone game that he played last season. He missed the rest of the tournament and will be making a comeback this year.

Kedar is a versatile player who possesses great audacity to go after the bowler and therefore is an ideal foil for the No.6 slot. He can chip in with useful overs of off-spin in case a frontline bowler is having a bad day. His all-round abilities will be very crucial to CSK's success in 2019.

#7 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo is a rockstar in this CSK line-up and one of the best all-rounders in the league. Bravo is known for his lusty hits down the order and magnificent use of slower deliveries in the death overs.

Bravo had a fantastic season with the bat in 2018. One of his memorable innings for the CSK was against the Mumbai Indians when he scored 68 off 30 balls and miraculously won the game for the CSK when they were down and out. He will continue with his good work in 2019 as well at No.7.

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