IPL Auction 2021: Gautam Gambhir Names Two All-Rounders MS Dhoni's CSK Can Target

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has named two all-rounders that the MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings will target in the upcoming IPL Auction 2021 at Chennai on February 18. CSK released a lot of experienced campaigners from the squad like Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Kedar Jadhav and Shane Watson and have only one overseas slot to fill in the upcoming auction.

Suresh Raina is back in the squad for CSK after missing out on the last IPL citing personal reasons. CSK have traded one of the Indian stars Robin Uthappa from Rajasthan Royals into their batting lineup alongside Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni. Rutuiraj Gaikwad had a good run at the end of last year’s IPL and showed a lot of promise for the future. He will be a player to watch out for in this upcoming edition.

Gambhir Suggests K Gowtham and Chris Morris

Former KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir has suggested K Gowtham and Chris Morris as the two all-rounders that CSK would want to buy in the auction. Gowtham is a useful Indian all-rounder while Chris Morris has an excellent IPL record with a lot of experience.

Morris was part of RCB last year and despite doing well, he was released at the auction which opened the doors for lots of teams to look in for the South African all-rounder while Gowtham was released by Kings XI Punjab ahead of the auction.

“Not many (gaps to fill). Despite having not the best season last time around, I think, they still have a strong core. Suresh Raina has come back now, Robin Uthappa – they have traded from Rajasthan Royals, obviously, their batting looks very strong at the moment which was a bit of a mess in the last season,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports.

“So, with the experience of Raina, Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni, they have got a strong Indian batting line-up.

“Their core is still intact. They have got Ravindra Jadeja, they’ve got Dwayne Bravo who has been there for such a long time. So probably, they will look at someone like K Gowtham as an off-spinner because they have let go of Harbhajan Singh. And a back-up of Bravo, because MS believes a lot in all-rounders with the kind of surface they play on,” Gautam Gambhir added.

Ageing Bravo A Worry For CSK

Dwayne Bravo who has been the main trump card for CSK over the years with his brilliant variations of pace and batting prowess down the order is not getting any younger. He suffered injuries in the last edition and he will need a backup for which Gautam Gambhir suggested Chris Morris and Gowtham. Also, CSK might target Indian pacer Umesh Yadav with the experience he has now.

CSK were knocked out in the league stages for the first time last year in the 13 seasons and will return with a bang this season.