The inaugural match of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be played between the two finalists of the previous season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). CSK will be commencing its quest to defend its title this season. With the mega auctions, both teams have added several new faces to their squad. Kolkata side has brought in young Shreyas Iyer as their new skipper for IPL 2022.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was the leading run-scorer in the 2021 edition of the IPL and will be opening for the CSK this season as well. Kolkata is expected to open with the young sensation Venkatesh Iyer and the newly recruited Ajinkya Rahane this season. Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch will not be available for selection in the first week of the IPL 2022 for Kolkata Knight Riders while Moeen Ali will miss at least the first game due to visa issues for CSK.
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On Thursday, MS Dhoni stepped down as the captain of CSK and handed over the captaincy to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. CSK and KKR have locked horns with each other 26 times in IPL so far, including the finals of 2012 and 2021. CSK has managed to win 17 games while KKR has only been victorious in 8 matches. In the last season, these two teams met thrice and CSK won all three games.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK face two big hurdles ahead of the first match as they will be missing Moeen Ali due to visa issues and Deepak Chahar, who is injured. Owing to these two issues, they should most likely replace Ali with Shivam Dube and Chris Jordan can place in place of Deepak Chahar. However, the batting order may see a change with Ravindra Jadeja getting an opportunity to bat up the order.
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With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway expected to open, CSK should play Robin Uthappa at 3 and Ambati Rayudu at 4. These 5 should be followed by Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni, and Dwayne Bravo. Coming to bowling, from the given lot, Chris Jordan and Adam Milne will be forming a pair and they will be supported by Dwayne Bravo. Meanwhile, R Hangargekar can be a good addition to the team.
Probable XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Rajvardhan Hangargekar & Adam Milne
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR also faces two selection dilemmas ahead of the first match. The absence of Alex Hales and Pat Cummins is a matter of concern for them. KKR has no other option but to go ahead with Ajinkya Rahane as an opener with Sam Billings expected to play as a keeper batter in the middle-order. Cummins can be replaced by Tim Southee seems an ideal replacement. He should be supported by Shivam Mavi, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, and Andre Russell.
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Coming to the batting order, Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane will be expected to open the innings. Skipper Shreyas Iyer should play at number 3. He should be followed by Nitish, Andre Russell, Sam Billings, and Sunil Narine. It may also happen that Sunil Narine plays as an opener with Venkatesh Iyer playing as a finisher alongside Andre Russell.
Probable XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Shivam Mavi, Umesh Yadav & Varun Chakravarthy
Fantasy Suggestion #1:
Sam Billings, Ambati Rayudu, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Andre Russell (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Dwayne Bravo, Adam Milne, Shivam Mavi, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Fantasy Suggestion #2:
Sam Billings, Ambati Rayudu, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Dwayne Bravo, Adam Milne, Shivam Mavi, and Sunil Narine.
