CSK Team Squad 2021- After a dreadful season in 2020, the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings would be willing to put up a better show this time around and make it to the playoffs. The invincible three-time champions Chennai Super Kings campaign got demolished in 2020. They left their fans in the waters of disappointment last season as they couldn’t make it to the final four for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 2008.

Ahead of IPL 2021, they will have their task cut-out, especially in the absence of seasoned opener Shane Watson, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the completion of the last season. Also, not playing at their home in Chepauk.

The CSK Team

Chennai Super Kings have often been touted as the Dad’s Army due to its over-aged players. Going into the auction, they tried to remove this tag by bolstering their spin department with England’s Moeen Ali and Karnataka’s Krishnappa Gowtham. Apart from bowling their offices, both are capable batsmen who will fit in the all-rounder slot quite comfortably. Gowtham was their costliest buy in the auction as they splashed a whopping Rs 9.25 crore to secure his services. He also became the highest-paid uncapped player in the IPL auction history.

Below is the list of the players who were bought by Chennai Super Kings in the auction held on 11th February.

• Krishnappa Gowtham – Rs 9.25 Crore
• Moeen Ali (England) – Rs 7 Crores
• CheteshwarPujara – Rs 50 Lakhs
• Harishankar Reddy – Rs 20 Lakhs
• K Bhagath Varma – Rs 20 Lakhs
• Hari Nishanth – Rs 20 Lakhs

They bought six players in total, with one overseas in Moeen Ali and five local talents, with ChetshwarPujara being the biggest name in the Indian contingent they opted for in the auction. Also, prior to the auction, CSK roped in the services of Robin Uthappa by trading him from Rajasthan Royals.

Players to watch out

There’s no doubt over the star power Thala MS Dhoni possesses. His form, yet again, would be monitored closely throughout the season as the team’s lower-order depends heavily on him. One of the brightest things for CSK this season is the return of stylish left-hander and the core of their middle-order Suresh Raina. He missed the entire season last year citing personal reasons, but the 34-year old left-hander will be donning the Yello yet again.

After three fifties on the trot in the last three games of the 2020 season, Ruturaj Gaikwad will be the core member in the tp-order. He, along with Robin Uthappa or Faf du Plessis, will be opening the innings in the absence of Shane Watson. Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, skipper MS Dhoni and all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali will procure the batting lineup, meanwhile, Deepak Chahar, Sam Curran, and Josh Hazlewood will be the cornerstone of the bowling attack.

Suggested- Mumbai Indians Squad Announcement For IPL 2021

CSK Scheduled Matches For IPL 2021

With all teams playing at neutral venues this season, CSK would be playing five games in Mumbai, four in Delhi, three in Bengaluru, and two in Kolkata. Below is the full-schedule of CSK.

Match 1: Chennai Super Kings VS Delhi Capitals, April 10, Mumbai, 7:30 PM

Match 2: Chennai Super Kings VS Punjab Kings, April 16, Mumbai, 7:30 PM

Match 3: Chennai Super Kings VS Rajasthan Royals, April 19, Mumbai, 7:30 PM

Match 4: Chennai Super Kings VS Kolkata Knight Riders, April 21, Mumbai, 7:30 PM

Match 5: Chennai Super Kings VS Royal Challengers Bangalore, April 25, Mumbai, 3:30 PM

Match 6: Chennai Super Kings VS Sunrisers Hyderabad, April 28, Delhi 7:30 PM

Match 7: Mumbai Indians VS Chennai Super Kings, May 1, Delhi, 7:30 PM

Match 8: Rajasthan Royals VS Chennai Super Kings, May 5, Delhi, 7:30 PM

Match 9: Sunriser Hyderabad VS Chennai Super Kings, May 7, Delhi, 7:30 PM

Match 10: Chennai Super Kings VS Punjab Kings, May 9, Bengaluru, 3:30 PM

Match 11: Chennai Super Kings VS Kolkata Knight Riders, Bengaluru, May 12, 7:30 PM

Match 12: Chennai Super Kings VS Mumbai Indians, May 16, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM

Match 13: Delhi Capitals VS Chennai Super Kings, May 21, Kolkata, 7:30 PM

Match 14: Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Chennai Super Kings, May 23, Kolkata, 7:30 PM

CSK Expected Playing Eleven For The First Game Against Delhi Capitals (DC)

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad/Robin Uthappa
2. Faf du Plessis
3. Suresh Raina
4. Ambati Rayudu
5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
6. Moeen Ali
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Sam Curran
9. Shardul Thakur
10. Deepak Chahar
11. Josh Hazlewood/Dwayne Bravo

(Note: Lungi Ngidi won’t be available for the first two weeks as he will be on national duty)

Complete CSK Team Squad For IPL 2021

CSK Team Squad 2021- MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Karn Sharma, K Bhagath Varma, N. Jagdeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Sai Kishore, K Gowtham, CheteshwarPujara, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir, Sam Curran, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, C Hari Nishaanth, Josh Hazlewood, Moeen Ali, M Harisankar Reddy

Time to wrap up: 

Chennai Super Kings boost a talented side this season that looks good enough to breach into the top four. However, the selection dilemma will definitely hinder MS Dhoni and the team management, but whatever players they chose to feature in the eleven can win matches on their own. How deep will CSK go and fight their demons of the last season? Well, we will have to be patient for this as the tournament is going to be grueling.