IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Names Chennai Super Kings’ Probable XI for Campaign Opener

Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has picked the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) probable playing XI for the IPL 2023 opener against the Gujarat Titans (GT). He believes MS Dhoni’s possible unavailability could pose an issue for the team as well.

The Chennai-based franchise will take on the defending champions at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31. And, many reports suggest that MS Dhoni might not be available for the game due to a knee injury as well.

However, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra picked Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway as the Chennai Super Kings‘ likely openers, with the latter also donning the keeping gloves as well if Dhoni is unavailable, saying:

“There will be slight upheaval if Dhoni is not there. Ruturaj Gaikwad with Devon Conway. You will expect runs from Devon Conway. Of course, he will keep as well if Dhoni is not there. Ruturaj Gaikwad has had an excellent domestic season. So the hope will be that he starts scoring runs from the first match. It will not be easy because he will have Mohammad Shami, Shivam Mavi and Hardik Pandya in front of him.”

Aakash Chopra feels Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali should bat at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively as well, saying:

“Then Ben Stokes at No. 3. If he is not bowling and you bought him for 16-odd crores, make him bat at three. I would say Moeen Ali at No. 4. He does not have rocket recent form but he is a quality player.”

“You can keep Ambati Rayudu at No. 5” – Aakash Chopra

However, Aakash Chopra added that either Moeen or Ravindra Jadeja could probably lead CSK if MS Dhoni is unavailable. He added that while Stokes has not yet fully recovered from his injury, Gaikwad failed to do well in the first few games across the last three seasons as well.

While choosing CSK’s lower-middle order, Aakash Chopra added that the franchise can use Ajinkya Rahane as an Impact Player if required, stating:

“You can keep Ambati Rayudu at No. 5. If something goes wrong, you can also use Ajinkya Rahane as an Impact Player. You can keep Shivam Dube at No. 6. Then it could be Ravindra Jadeja followed by Dwaine Pretorius. MS Dhoni will come in between if he is playing.”

With Mukesh Choudhary ruled out of the tournament, the veteran added that Simarjeet Singh might partner Deepak Chahar with the new ball.

“Deepak Chahar has come back, so you will expect good bowling from him. Then I feel Simarjeet Singh can also play. That is the kind of team I am thinking of. There is no Maheesh Theekshana,” Aakash Chopra concluded.