IPL 2024 Auction: "Shardul Thakur Was A Steal" - Aakash Chopra's Verdict On CSK's 4-Crore Buy

Aakash Chopra feels the Chennai Super Kings’ purchase of Shardul Thakur at the IPL 2024 auction was a steal. Chennai Super Kings bought Shardul for just ₹4 crore at the auction. Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, and Avanish Rao Aravelly were the other acquisitions for the defending champions.

Aakash Chopra opined that Chennai Super Kings got Shardul Thakur in a great bargain deal, considering that Harshal Patel was roped in by Punjab Kings for an exorbitant amount.

He elaborated, “They (CSK) surprised a little when they were going for Travis Head but picked Rachin Ravindra – well done. Shardul Thakur was a steal for them. Shardul Thakur for four crores whereas Harshal Patel went for 11.75 crores.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons Chennai Super Kings are looking at Daryl Mitchell, who was bought for ₹14 crore, as an alternative to Moeen Ali. He said, “They picked Daryl Mitchell in the middle. It seems like they are looking at him as an option for Moeen Ali. He is not like-for-like but even if you don’t get Moeen’s bowling, you get a middle-order batter who can hit very good strokes.”

Aakash Chopra added that CSK has become even better than earlier and now can’t be taken lightly in any aspect. The former India opener claimed that they have most bases covered, especially considering they have also bolstered their seam-bowling department by acquiring Mustafizur Rahman. The defending champions have a good set of players and they can be a threat to any side in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings Spends A Total Amount Of 30.40 Crore In IPL Auction

Chennai Super Kings spent 30.40 crores in the IPL auction to acquire six players in the auction. Daryl Mitchell who was bought for INR 14 crores was the most expensive purchase for CSK. They spent 2.00 crores for Mustafizur Rahman and 1.80 crores for Rachin Ravindra. Shardul Thakur was bought by the Yellow Army for 4 crores. However, Chennai Super Kings surprised everyone by bidding 8.40 crores for an uncapped Sameer Rizvi from Uttar Pradesh.

Sameer Rizvi became the most expensive uncapped player of this year’s IPL auction. Rizvi impressed everyone with his power hitting in the UP20 League where he also scored the fastest hundred in the tournament. He has played 11 T20s and has scored 295 runs at an average of 49.2 and boasts a strike rate of 134.7. Chennai Super Kings can use him as a replacement for Ambati Rayudu who retired from the IPL after the conclusion of IPL 2023.

Chennai Super Kings have a really powerful squad and will stop at nothing other than defending their title. The defending champions will be a threat to every team in this IPL and with this line-up, they have a good chance of defending their title.

Chennai Super Kings’ Squad For IPL 2024:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaik Rasheed, Sameer Rizvi, Devon Conway, Aravelly Avanish, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Nishant Sindhu, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mithcell, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, RS Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman.