CSK Predicted Playing XI vs RCB for Match 68 of IPL 2024

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 68 of IPL 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18. The Men in Yellow will enter the playoffs if they secure the two points.

Following their win over the Rajasthan Royals, the Super Kings' fate is in their own hands. But the Royal Challengers, who need to win by a decent margin to ensure that their net run rate sends them into the playoffs, will come out all guns blazing.

CSK have made an uncharacteristic number of changes in the tournament so far, and they might be forced to make another on Saturday.

CSK's squad for IPL 2024: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ajay Mandal, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Prashant Solanki, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Aravelly Avanish Rao, Richard Gleeson

On that note, here is CSK's predicted playing XII (including an impact sub) for Match 68 of IPL 2024 against RCB:

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Openers: Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)

Ajinkya Rahane has been dropped from the side, paving the way for CSK to revert to their initial opening combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra. The duo will need to be at their best in Bengaluru.

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Middle Order: Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk)

Daryl Mitchell has found a home at No. 3, and he will be key not only in the powerplay but against the RCB spinners as well. Shivam Dube's form has cooled off a touch, but he loves playing against his former franchise.

Sameer Rizvi played a breezy cameo to finish off the last game and should retain his place for this one. Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni will round off the middle order, with Moeen Ali having left the camp to join England.

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Lower Order: Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Mitchell Santner and Richard Gleeson are the candidates to replace Moeen. CSK love batting depth, and having a left-arm spinner who can bowl in the powerplay is always a good idea against RCB. So Santner should make the grade.

Chennai's pace trio of Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh and Shardul Thakur will have an uber-tough job on their hands to restrict the Bengaluru batting unit, while Maheesh Theekshana will be entrusted with defensive bowling duties once again.

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CSK's predicted playing XII (inc. impact sub): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Other impact sub candidates: Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Prashant Solanki, Ajinkya Rahane