As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 is just around the corner, we at Sportswallah gave an opportunity to the fans to pick their XI for the upcoming season. The rule was to pick 3 batsmen, 3 all-rounders, 4 bowlers and 1 wicketkeeper. A team also can have as many as 4 overseas players. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at the XI the fans picked for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Having represented Mumbai Indians since 2008, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh finds himself in CSK this time, where he will again get the chance of playing under Dhoni.
Given his experience, Harbhajan will just walk into this side, no questions asked. The fans certainly seem to think so and as a result, he has received 1,801 votes.
Harbhajan Singh
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja further adds depth to the team’s batting and bowling attack.
Jadeja too played a huge part in CSK’s success in the past and finds himself back in the side. He has received 1,988 votes.
Ravindra Jadeja
Shardul Thakur has been impressive in Indian colours and was in good form for RPS previous season as well.
Shardul has done well under Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and his game will only improve when he plays under the leadership of MS Dhoni. He has received 1,892 votes from our fans.
Shardul Thakur
A versatile cricketer Shane Watson can bat in any position and can also chip in with a few handy overs as well.
He won the IPL title in 2008 with Rajasthan Royals and now finds himself in the yellow of CSK. He has received 1,799 votes from our fans.
Ambati Rayudu
An IPL legend, Suresh Raina has always been in the thick of things when it comes to the IPL. He is the leading run-scorer in the tournament and finds himself back in CSK after playing for them for 8 straight seasons.
He will be the vice-captain of this side, having received 2,053 votes.
Suresh Raina (vc)
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo played under Raina in Gujarat Lions in the last two seasons, but will once again return under Dhoni with CSK.
Bravo has the most wickets in T20s and his late blitz can also take the team’s total from par to match-winning. He has received 2,021 votes from our fans.
Dwayne Bravo
Murali Vijay has won a couple of titles with Chennai Super Kings and has been bought by the franchise once again.
He is in firm contention to open the batting and the fans too certainly think so. Vijay has received 1,839 votes from our fans.
Murali Vijay
This will the first time Mark Wood will play in the IPL. The England fast bowler is seen as a fierce limited-overs bowler and he will be thoroughly tested when he plays in the competitive atmosphere of IPL. He has 1,018 votes to his name.
Mark Wood
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis too has made a return to CSK this time around.
The reliable middle-order batsman has received 1,740 runs from the fans.
Faf du Plessis
South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has had an impressive year in international cricket and will look to hone his skills further in the IPL.
He is the only player among CSK in this XI to receive below 1,000 votes — He has 798.
Lungi Ngidi
MS Dhoni needs no introduction. He has lead in 9 out of the 10 seasons in the IPL — 8 of them with CSK.
He will lead this side as well, receiving 2058 votes, which is the most for anyone in the franchise.
MS Dhoni (c & wk)
Ambati Rayudu had been a key player for Mumbai Indians in earlier editions of the IPL. CSK will have high hopes from him in the middle order.
Ambati Rayudu
