Chennai Super Kings IPL 2023 Preview

After enduring a disappointing campaign last year, the Chennai Super Kings will be looking to bounce back with a bang in IPL 2023. The Men in Yellow managed to win just four games all season in 2022, finishing ninth in the table, and also faced some issues off the pitch with Ravindra Jadeja relieved of his captaincy duties halfway through the campaign. MS Dhoni resumes his role at the helm of the side in 2023, and Chennai will be hoping to give their veteran leader the perfect send-off in what could be his final season in yellow.

CSK have strengthened their side significantly following their disappointing finish in 2022. Deepak Chahar returns to the XI after missing the entirety of last season with an injury, while Ben Stokes adds some x-factor with the bat and veteran leadership to the four-time champions.

Player to watch out for: Ben Stokes

Chennai broke the bank in the 2023 auction for Ben Stokes, acquiring the English all-rounder for a winning bid of INR 16.25 Crores. Stokes solves plenty of issues for CSK with his all-round abilities, giving the team more batting muscle through the middle order and also improving the balance of the side by providing an additional bowling option.

Strengths

The regular home and away system returns to the IPL in 2023, and the Chennai Super Kings could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of home advantage this season. In addition to the fervent support received in Chennai, the Chepauk pitch is likely to be one of the slowest in the tournament, offering the most turn. CSK have three high-quality spinners in Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana, and Ravindra Jadeja who can exploit these conditions, making them incredibly difficult to beat on their home turf.

Additionally, Chennai have a wealth of all-rounders at their disposal. The inclusion of Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja provides enviable balance to the side and gives them one of the deepest batting line-ups in the competition, with Deepak Chahar potentially coming in at number nine.

Weaknesses

With long-standing servant Dwayne Bravo released from the squad ahead of the season, CSK’s death bowling issues could be exposed in IPL 2023. Pacers such as Deepak Chahar and Simarjeet Singh are most effective in the powerplay using the new ball, while Ben Stokes has an IPL economy rate of 10.26 in the final five overs of the innings.

There are also potential question marks over MS Dhoni’s ability with the bat due to a prolonged absence from the game, with the 41-year-old averaging just 24.8 at a strike rate of 117 in the IPL since 2020.

Probable XI

Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Simarjeet Singh