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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CLT20 2014 Match 1: Chennai Super Kings’ likely XI

With a well-balanced side, Dhoni & Co. are expected to put up a good show on Wednesday against KKR.

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Suresh Raina's red-hot form will be a boon for Chennai Super Kings © IANS
Suresh Raina’s red-hot form will be a boon for Chennai Super Kings © IANS

Reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all set to take on the mighty Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the inaugural match of the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) 2014 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Rajarshi Majumdar pens down CSK’s likely XI for this all important clash.

CSK is arguably one of the finest T20 side in the world. It is because of their world-class captain MS Dhoni and a band of match winners in all the departments. They are definitely one of the contenders in taking this trophy to their cabinet for the second time. It will be a crucial clash against KKR, so ‘captain cool’ would ideally  not like to experiment much with his side. With Dwayne Bravo back in the squad, Dhoni recently expressed his happiness and Faf Du Plessis has been in sublime form. With a well-balanced side, Dhoni & Co. are expected to put up a good show on Wednesday against KKR. Here’s the likely XI for CSK:

Dwayne Smith: He was the new recruit for the franchise ahead of IPL 2014. He can cause some serious damage at the top of the order and he was second in the list of the highest run-getters in IPL 2014 with 566 runs. Smith can also trouble the batsmen with his medium pace on these subcontinent wickets.

Brendon McCullum: He is arguably one of the devastating batsmen at the top of the order. He too was a new recruit for this side like Smith. Although he won’t be seen behind the stumps but his reflexes on the field are commendable.

Suresh Raina: The left-handed batsman had a good England tour recently and he is one of the most vital members of this CSK squad. Ever since the first season, he hasn’t missed a single game for CSK. He is also one of the highest run-getters in IPL and as well as in CLT20. Raina is electric on the field and his positive approach keeps the fielders up on their toes. He can come in handy with his off-spinners as well.

Faf Du Plessis: He is one of the key players in this side as he can hold the middle-order together if there’s a collapse on the top. He is in the form of his life after South Africa’s tour to Zimbabwe and the recently-concluded triangular series- Du Plessis will be one of the players to watch out for in this edition of CLT20.

Dwayne Bravo: He could not lend his service during the IPL 2014 because of an injury but he is back in the squad for the CLT20 2014. His all-round abilities make him one of Dhoni’s favourite choices among the overseas players.

MS Dhoni (c &wk): Time and again he has proved himself both with the bat and his leading abilities. He likes to lead from the front and his exceptional quality of keeping his cool in crunch situations makes him one of the finest leaders in the world.

Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja has been one of Dhoni’s key weapons. He is the go to man whenever Dhoni needs a wicket. Jadeja runs through his overs very quickly even before the batsmen can realise. He can play some brisk innings in the death overs as well.

Ravichandran Ashwin: Ashwin has also been donning the yellow jersey ever since the first edition of the IPL and he is also arguably one of the best bowlers in the shortest format of the game. The wickets are to favour the spinners likely so it will be treat to watch him bowl.

Ishwar Pandey: Pandey was one of the bowlers that Dhoni relied on during the IPL 2014 and his figures were economical. He is one bowler who can generate lateral movements off the pitch.

Ashish Nehra: Nehra is one of the experienced campaigners in this format of the game. He can swing the ball both ways and he has troubled many batsmen in the past. But his economy will be an issue to think about.

Mohit Sharma: Mohit was the owner of the purple cap in IPL 2014. He has this knack of picking up wickets and if he’s taken on by the batsmen at the start of the innings, he can make for it at the death overs. Over 40 per cent of his deliveries are slower ones and he can be very deceptive with this particular weapon.

Complete coverage of Champions League T20 (CLT20) 2014 here 

(Rajarshi Majumdar is a reporter at CricketCountry. He played cricket for all age levels under the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for over 12 years. Apart from cricket he is an avid follower of football, supports Manchester United and a foodie at heart.)

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