IPL 2018: Don't See CSK Going Beyond Rs 4 Or 5 Crore For Ravichandran Ashwin, Says Anil Kumble

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble has said that Chennai Super Kings will not go all out for Ravichandran Ashwin at the upcoming Indian Premier League.

The India spin spearhead was part of CSK since 2009, before turning out for Rising Pune Supergiant in the two seasons (2016 and 2017) when the Chennai-based franchise along with Rajasthan Royals was suspended on corruption charges. However, he is now back in auction pool after CSK released him while retained MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin had played an important role in the success of the franchise over the years but was surprisingly released by the franchise.

However, Dhoni recently said the franchise would ‘definitely’ go for Ashwin in the auction. But Anil Kumble believes that seeing Ashwin in the famous yellow jersey again is unlikely as he is not expecting the Chennai-based franchise to make a big bid for the off-spinner who is likely to attract huge bids. CSK can re-sign Ashwin with the Right to Match card, but Kumble thinks if the bidding goes above Rs 4 crore, the two-time IPL champions are unlikely to repurchase him.

“Chennai would be looking at him [Ashwin] as a spinner to backup Ravindra Jadeja, whom they have already retained. The will have to look at Ashwin as the second spinner. If that is the case, I don’t see them going beyond Rs 4 crore or Rs 5 crore. And I don’t think you will get someone like Ashwin for that amount,” Kumble said during Star Sports’ analysis show “Game Plan – The Marquee List”.

“He is a captain material. There are franchises which needed a captain. He is an Indian marquee player. Yes, Chennai would want their local hero to be part of Super Kings. But you never know, he might end up playing for them,” the legendary leg-spinner added.

Dhoni recently said that the Super Kings would bid for the off-spinner and also confirmed that the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis and Brendon McCullum are on their radar.

“It’s always a tough call,” Dhoni had said during a recent promotional event in Chennai. “We will definitely go for him in the auction. Ashwin being a local lad… we want a lot of local players in the side. We have somebody like a [Dwayne] Bravo, Faf [du Plessis] and Brendon McCullum [on the radar]”.

Meanwhile, the players’ auction is scheduled on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.

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