IPL 2019: Ideal Playing XI for Chennai Super Kings

Middle-order

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is one of those players who has been part of the Chennai franchise right from the inaugural season. The left-hander has been their ideal number three batsman on most occasions and has been the most consistent run scorer for the team.

After leading Gujarat Lions in two seasons, Raina was named the vice-captain of the CSK franchise last season and an additional burden seemed to have no effect on his performance. The left-hander amassed 445 runs during 2018 season at an average of 37.08 and looks set to provide a similar impact this season as well.

#4 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis has been a regular member of CSK since his IPL debut in 2012 and was claimed back by the franchise at a bargain price through the Right to Match card.

Faf made his presence count with a significant impact on CSK's road to the final. His key performance came during the first qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he scored unbeaten 67 to guide his team to the final. He is an ideal middle-order batsman for Chennai Super Kings.

#5 MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicket-keeper)

An ideal captain and a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman, MS Dhoni can play both these roles effectively. In 2018, Dhoni led CSK to their third IPL title. The swashbuckling leader is known for giving 100 percent to all departments of the game, whether it's captaincy, batting or wicket-keeping.

The skipper had a tremendous season last time, scoring 455 runs in just nine innings at an extraordinary T20 average of 75.83. He also made 14 dismissals behind the stumps including 11 catches and three stumpings. Dhoni will be eyeing another memorable IPL season in 2019.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL news, IPL schedule, points table, live scores, fantasy tips and stats.