IPL Auction: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Should target

Chennai Super Kings, without any surprise, decided to retain MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja on the retention day. They retained their core group and now will have the responsibility of deploying right men at other positions as well.

Before the auction, let’s have a look at players which CSK might look to buy on the auction day –

IPL Auction: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Should target

Brendon McCullum – McCullum should be the first choice for the Chennai Super Kings franchise, and in fact, they should use the Right to Match Card on him.

McCullum has continued to show his prowess in this format of the game and is one of the best openers in the T20 leagues played all around the world.

Also, because CSK have decided to retain the core group, which includes MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja and coach Stephen Fleming, the presence of McCullum will increase team’s bonding and can help to scale heights. McCullum is expected to attract more buyers in the auction, and the CSK may look forward to retaining him at any cost.

IPL Auction: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Should target

Dwayne Smith – Even after CSK got banned, McCullum and Smith continued to open, this time for Gujarat Lions.

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Smith batted at a strike-rate of over 145 in previous two seasons of IPL, and if he gets going with McCullum, this partnership can destroy any bowling attack.

CSK might refrain itself from using an RTM card on him. Smith is not expected to attract more buyers, and CSK might get his services earlier.

IPL Auction: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Should target

Ravichandran Ashwin – Though CSK didn’t retain him on the retention day, but the off-spinner is expected to be retained by CSK in another way i.e., through RTM card.

The pitch of Chennai is known to assist spinners and Ashwin, on these tracks, can bowl with both old and new ball, which gives a luxury to a captain. Also, MS Dhoni – the captain – has trust on Ashwin and hence, he is expected to play for his old franchise only.

Ashwin though might not garner a huge amount because he is not a part of India limited overs side now. Still, all franchises will at least have one go to buy him, but CSK is expected to retain their main player, who will also draw fan base for the franchise.

IPL Auction: Five Players Chennai Super Kings Should target
Photo credits: BCCI

Washington Sundar – The way Sundar performed in the last season, not just CSK, every franchise would bid any amount to gain his services.

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If he plays for CSK, the franchise is expected to make more benefits out of him because of the pitch and also the state is his home town. Sundar has experience of playing in Chennai conditions and knows the conditions better, which will be one of the key factors if he plays for CSK.

Team Yellow might have to pay a big amount for him because Sundar not just did well in the previous IPL season, but received a national call-up riding on his performance in IPL and Duleep Trophy.

Yuzvendra Chahal
Image Courtesy: Twitter

Yuzvendra Chahal – The highest wicket-taker in the T20I format in 2017, Yuzvendra Chahal though is expected to be retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore by use of RT card but in case if he goes beyond RCB’s pocket, then CSK will set its eyes on Chahal.

Again, the pitch conditions plus the record of Chahal will be key behind him becoming a top buy at IPL auction. CSK and all other franchises will have to spend big bucks to get his services.

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