IPL 2024: CSK To Go All Out For India Star During Auction, Predicts Aakash Chopra

Ahead of the much-awaited auction for the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), ex-India batsman Aakash Chopra has talked about Chennai Super Kings’ strategy. The auction is scheduled to be held in Dubai on December 19.

Chennai Super Kings will have their cut out in the auction as they look to replace players such as Ambati Rayudu and Ben Stokes. While Rayudu retired from IPL after helping the team win IPL 2023, Stokes was recently released. The five-time IPL winners have also released Dwaine Pretorius, Ambati Rayudu, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Jamieson, Bhagath Varma, Senapati, and Akash Singh ahead of the auction.

Speculations are rife that the Chennai-based outfit could go for a big name in batting to replace Rayudu who was a key member of their middle-order from 2018. There are murmurs that the IPL giants could go for New Zealand’s new batting sensation Rachin Ravindra who has had a stunning campaign in the recently-concluded World Cup.

Aakash Chopra on CSK’s auction strategy:

While recent reports suggest that CSK could go all out for a batsman in the IPL auction, Aakash Chopra believes otherwise. The former cricketer-turned-commentator has said that CSK are likely to go big for a bowler and could rope in Shardul Thakur who has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders.

“It’s clear there are two departments where they will have to rebuild a little. One is the fast-bowling department because Tushar Deshpande, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh – they will need someone other than that,” Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema.

“They need fast bowlers. It could be overseas or Indian. They will definitely go shopping for fast bowlers. They generally go towards experienced players. So don’t be surprised if they pick Shardul Thakur because 31.4 crore rupees is a lot and Shardul Thakur was also earlier part of this team,” he added.

Shardul Thakur was signed up CSK in 2018 and was a key member of the team. In 2021, he was the highest wicket-taker for the franchise as they went on to the IPL for the fourth time. He is also a handy lower-order batsman and CSK could go for their former player in the auction.