Indian T20 League 2023: Chennai's Best Playing XI

Gujarat and Chennai will square off in the Indian T20 League (ITL) 2023 season opener. The game will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday, March 31. In ITL 2023, Chennai will try to win their fifth title, with MS Dhoni serving as the team's captain.

The squad had a bad showing the previous year, placing ninth in the points standings. They acquired several strong players for their team during the auction. Here's a look at the strongest Playing XI for the Chennai franchise in the ITL 2023.

Top Order

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai (Source: Twitter)

Ruturaj Gaikwad: In ITL 2023, Ruturaj Gaikwad ought to start for the Chennai franchise. The right-handed batsman scored 368 runs in 14 games last year, including three half-centuries. He also led the squad in runs scored during the season. Gaikwad has excelled as an opener during the past three ITL seasons.

Devon Conway: In ITL 2023, Devon Conway should open alongside Gaikwad for Chennai. He could play in 7 games last season, during which he scored 252 runs at a 42.0 average. He batted at a strike rate of 145+ and hammered three half-centuries in just seven innings to display an amazing performance.

Moeen Ali: Moeen Ali can be the one-down batter. He will be a crucial all-around player for the squad. Ali had a strike rate of 137+ and scored 244 runs in 10 games last season. In a game, he also hit a half-century knock of 93 runs. Moreover, he took 8 wickets with the ball.

Middle order, Allrounders and Wicketkeeper

MS Dhoni, Chennai (Source: Twitter)

Ambati Rayudu: The middle order will be a terrific place for Ambati Rayudu. The right-handed batter hit 274 runs in 11 innings last year, averaging 24.94 runs per inning. In one game, he also reached the fifty-point mark. For the squad, Rayudu is a dependable middle-order batsman.

Ben Stokes: In ITL 2023, Chennai should use Ben Stokes as an all-rounder and another middle-order batter. During the auction, the franchise robbed him for Rs. 17.25 crores. Stokes has scored 920 runs in 43 ITL games, including two centuries and two half-centuries. The right-arm bowler has taken 28 wickets with the ball.

MS Dhoni (c) (wk): MS Dhoni will serve as the team's captain and likely bat in the middle order. He will serve as the team's wicketkeeper as well. Dhoni displayed a respectable batting performance last season, scoring 232 runs in 14 games at an average of 33.14 and recording one undefeated half-century.

Ravindra Jadeja: Another all-rounder who should bat in the middle order should be Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner took five wickets in ten games last year. In 10 games, he generated 116 runs with the bat. He was hurt, though, and was unable to perform well. Jadeja has displayed outstanding form since recently making a comeback on the pitch.

Bowlers

Deepak Chahar (Source: Twitter)

Maheesh Theekshana: Maheesh Theekshana should be another spinner for the group. The Sri Lankan spinner has a 7.45 economy rate and 12 wickets taken in 9 games during the previous season. He will improve Chennai's spin assault during the campaign.

Deepak Chahar: Deepak Chahar might be one of Chennai's pacers. The previous season saw no action from the right-arm pacer. This season, he'll want to put up his greatest performance. In the past few seasons, Chahar has excelled as a pacer for Chennai.

Mukesh Choudhary: Mukesh Choudhary can be the team's other pacer. Last year, when the left-arm pacer made an impression with his play, Choudhary was Chennai's discovery for the season. In 13 games, he took 16 wickets for the team, including a four-wicket haul in one game.

Simarjeet Singh: Simarjeet Singh is another potential pacer for the group. He participated in 6 games for the team last year, taking 4 wickets at an economy rate of 7.66. Chennai can maintain Indian pacer Simarjeet Singh, playing four foreign players in their XI.