At the auction, it didn't look like CSK did great work in the revamp of their side, but now just before the real action is about to start, CSK suddenly looks very formidable. The loss of Hussey and Albie Morkel is more than made up by the entry of Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum. If Albie is a swing 'n miss guy, Smith is pretty close (probably better). McCullum (like Huss) is a calculated hitter, and a more brutal hitter. McCullum can keep, so he is a natural backup for Dhoni if necessary. And we have Faf Du Plessis who will now take up the senior role after Hussey's exit.
I think this should be our template XI. Certain spots dont have competition due to the players involved (example is No.3, 5, 6, 7 & 8 which are taken by Raina, Dhoni, Bravo, Jadeja and Ashwin):
Top Two (No.1 & No.2)
D Smith (OR)
B McCulllum (OR)
F Du Plessis
One Down (No.3)
S Raina
Two Down (No.4)
M Manhas (OR)
B Aparajith
Three Down (no.5)
MS Dhoni
Four Down (No.6)
D Bravo
Spinners (No.7 & No.8)
R Jadeja
R Ashwin
Overseas Bowler (No.9)
B Hilfenhaus (OR)
M Henry (OR)
S Badree
Indian Bowlers (No.10 and No.11)
I Pandey (OR)
A Nehra (OR)
M Sharma