Chennai Super Kings, a team having a multi-million fan-base and the current defending champions, will be eager to start the 2022 mega-auction by purchasing players, who will show boldness, the same which the earlier teams showed enroute to their title defences in 2010, 2011, 2018 and in 2021 under MS Dhoni’s inspirational leadership.
Squad of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021: -
MS Dhoni (c& wk), Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, N Jagadeesan, Robin Uthappa, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Karn Sharma, R. Sai Kishore, Mitchell Santner, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, KM Asif, Mooen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, Bhagath Verma, Hari Nishanth.
Retained Players: -
As per the standard mega-auction rules, 4 players were retained. Ravindra Jadeja was retained for INR 16 Crs, captain MS Dhoni for INR 12 Crs, Mooen Ali for 8 Crs, and Ruturaj Gaikwad for INR 6 Crs.
Out of INR 90 Cr. purse for all franchises apiece, CSK has managed to spend INR 42 Cr. on these 4 players. So, balance purse amount remaining with them is INR 48 Cr.
Past History of the Franchise: -
Chennai Super Kings has been one of the most consistent teams to have ever played IPL. They have made playoffs in all the seasons they have played barring in IPL 2020 and have won the title 4 times.
In total, Chennai Super Kings have played 195 matches, out of which they have won 117, lost 76, tied 1 (which they lost) and No Result 1. They have a win % of 60.56.
They have defeated Mumbai Indians in IPL 2010 final, Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2011 final, Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018 and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021. They are the only team to defeat 4 different franchises in IPL finales.
Players to target by CSK in mega-auctions: -
Currently, CSK has retained 4 players, out of which they have 2 spin-bowling all-rounders, a wicketkeeper captain and a specialist opening batsman.
They mostly need to target younger players this time as they would want some of their players build a core of CSK at-least for next 10 seasons.
With INR 48 Cr. purse left, they will have to smartly purchase a mix of international as well as uncapped players that are affordable and reliable. The below should be the players that they might target in the mega Auction, along with the substitute players in case they fail to get them:
- Ishan Kishan: He can bat, keep and field energetically. He can bat at any position, be it as an opener, at No.3, 4 and as a finisher at No.5 or No.6. He is exceptionally good against spinners and can slog the ball right from ball one of the innings. He is someone who can play the innings as an anchor if required, although he is predominantly a left-handed aggressive batsman who can keep wickets. Being an Indian wicket-keeper batsman also helps his case and can be a potential successor to MS Dhoni in CSK team, given that Kishan is only 23 years old. Also, Kishan, being from Ranchi, can make the CSK think-tank think harder of buying him, courtesy Dhoni, who is also from Ranchi.
Backup Option: Jonny Bairstow
Although Bairstow has played 3 seasons for Sunrisers Hyderabad and is a good wicket-keeper batsman, but he is a foreigner and although he bats well against pace and spin, he struggles while batting in middle-order.
- Harshal Patel: The purple cap holder of IPL 2021 (32 wickets in 15 matches in IPL 2021) will be eyed by almost all the IPL teams, including CSK, mainly for his death-bowling exploits. He can bowl leg-cutters and in-swinging yorkers perfectly, which is a rare skill amongst Indian bowlers. Given that he is an Indian, it adds to an advantage to play him in all important matches without compromising on the balance.
Backup option: Mohammad Shami
Keeping him as a backup, because at the moment, Harshal seems to be a better bowler in death overs. Only problem of Shami is that he is erratic with his economy in death overs, otherwise he is a good wicket-taking option. Being an Indian, one can play him in all matches should he remain fit throughout the tournament.
- Pat Cummins: The Australian Test captain has a credible record with both bat as well as with ball in IPL. He will be a hot pick for all franchises given his good form in recent times as well as is someone who can give captaincy option if required. CSK will be eager to buy this player. He is a great fielder too.
Backup Option: Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada also has a credible record as a bowler in IPL and can bat. However, he is not someone to score runs quickly with the bat and that is the only disadvantage he possesses. Plus, being a foreigner, his place can’t be assured in starting XI if one is not multi-dimensional. But CSK will be looking to buy him as a backup fast bowler.
- Rahul Tripathi: The uncapped Indian player has been fairly consistent in recent times and is someone who can be used as a floater without compromising on the balance of the batting line-up. His exploits for KKR in previous seasons has made him garner the spotlight despite having a base price of INR 40 Lakh.
Backup Option: Nitish Rana
A good batting average of 28.5 and a batting strike-rate of 132.45 in 77 IPL matches suggest that Nitish Rana might be in radar of several franchises, particularly for CSK as he can play the role of Suresh Raina at No.3 since he is a left-handed batsman. He also bowls right-arm off-spin, similar to what Raina offered in his heydays for CSK as a part-timer.
- Aiden Markram: The batting-allrounder from South Africa can be a good pick for CSK as he can bat anywhere in the top-order as well as can bowl tidy off-spin. His base price is INR 1 Crore, so he can be a cheaper bet for CSK in auctions.
Backup Option: Fabian Allen
A slow left-arm orthodox bowler and an aggressive right-handed batsman, Fabian Allen is also a gun fielder. He is one of the most spectacular fielders to watch near the boundary ropes. The West Indies cricketer might be a go-to pick for all franchises given his exploits, although he is a bits and pieces cricketer.
SWOT Analysis: -
Strengths: Experienced and seasonal captain in MS Dhoni, under whom CSK won title in IPL 2021.
Weaknesses: No proper successor of MS Dhoni as a captain as he might be playing his last season as a player.
Opportunities: To buy younger players and make a solid core which can last for 7-8 years.
Threats: All good players won’t get a chance to play for CSK. Hence they may drop themselves for next season and CSK will lose out on not having the good players at disposal whenever needed.
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