Will Shardul Thakur Play? CSK's Probable XI For IPL 2024 Match Against Pant's Delhi Capitals

Shardul Thakur in CSK colours (X.com)

Chennai Super Kings have started IPL 2024 with a bang, and have won both of their games comprehensively. The charismatic MS Dhoni has handed over the leadership reigns to Ruturaj Gaikwad and the young opener has responded well with his smart leadership coupled with some interesting changes. 

CSK will be itching to make it three in three against the struggling Delhi Capitals and it would be interesting to see the combination they will go with as they travel away from the home for the first time this season.

They have played good all-round cricket and there is hardly any scope for a change. However, a quality player like Shardul Thakur has not played a game so far, and irrespective of the results and performances of other players, it can get difficult for CSK to ignore Shardul's talent for a long time.

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Thakur has international experience and can contribute with the bat as well along with the ball, so he can be slotted into the XI if CSK want to give Shardul a go. The only player he can replace is Tushar Deshpande who did well in the last game, but was very expensive in the first game. However, going by the nature of CSK's management, it is highly unlikely that they will tinker with their winning combination.

The openers, Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra have done well while Rahane, Dube, Mitchell form a formidable middle order. They have a great depth in the batting line-up with Jadeja, MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar too in their ranks if needed. 

In the bowling department too, there are plenty of options, and with Matheesha Pathirana making a strong comeback in the last game, it is hard to find any weakness in their squad.

CSK Probable XI vs DC

Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi, MS Dhoni (WK), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman.

Impact Substitutes: Matheesha Pathirana, Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner.

Note: If CSK bowl first, Matheesha Pathirana will be in the starting XI while Shivam Dube will be used as an Impact Player in the second half.

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