IPL 2018: Gameplan of Chennai Super Kings at the mega auction

The most decorated Twenty20 professional league team Chennai Super Kings is all set to work out on the strategy for the impending mega auction of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) which will witness around 578 players to be going under the hammer on 27 and 28 January respectively in Bengaluru.

CSK bags best three under retention policy:

On January 4, under the procedure of the retention policy set-up by the IPL Governing Council, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been availed in INR 15 crore which further saw Suresh Raina fetching INR 11 crore as Ravindra Jadeja has collected INR 7 crore after CSK shelled out 33 crore owing to the total purse amount of INR 80 crore.

KS Viswanathan will be availing his services as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and India Cements Limited has extended its association for the eleventh edition of the IPL.

Returning after a massive hit:

The two-time IPL winners and fan favourite, Chennai Super Kings, has returned with a bang after two-year suspension owing to the alleged fixing scandal which took the gentleman’s game by storm in 2013.

In 2010, Chennai Super Kings won the trophy after thumping Mumbai Indians by 22 runs at DY Patil Stadium in Maharashtra before returning in style in the fourth edition in 2011 against Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru.

Moreover, the CSK management has already roped in Lakshmipathy Balaji as its bowling coach, who has also been the part of the CSK fold in the past.

Interestingly, while taking the experience into consideration, the 36-year-old has played a pivotal role for CSK when he donned the yellow jersey.

Here are the main points of the game plan CSK would be aiming to focus on:

• The inclusion of local players:

While highlighting the importance of the local players, CSK has already scouted out while taking the local pool of talent into due consideration for the upcoming edition of the league which will kick off in the first week of April.

However, the sole reason of CSK think thank behind the inclusion of the local players could be that they want to make the most use of the opportunity as the local players are used to the conditions well when it comes to the homework.

It is expected the players in form would play a significant role in the shortest version of the game which has become an instant hit across the globe.

• Batting heavy squad:

Cricket is not only about the batters it is also about the bowlers, who have put up a spectacular show.

On the hindsight, CSK would like to rely on the balanced squad to yield the desired results on its return.

The wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni alongside the management would be vying to induct the top-notch batters to explode at the top which is important in first six overs of the powerplay when it comes to T20 cricket.

Including the batting mainstay, Raina, Dhoni would want to rope the later-order batter, who has an ability to change the complexion of the game while fixing the bowlers bowling their heart out.

• Foreign impact

It would be an important to see the CSK management when it comes to availing the services of the overseas professionals.

Earlier, the Chennai-based side has witnessed South African skipper Faf du Plessis, New Zealand’s swashbuckling batsman Brendon McCullum Windies all-rounder playing an imperative role for the IPL outfit.

Yet to go for a foreign service, CSK has INR 47 crore in the kitty with two Right to Match (RTMs) available.

• Quality Spinners:

CSK which has a massive fan following after the star-studded line-up has grabbed the eyeballs since the inception of the league way back in 2008.

The franchise would be aiming to target the ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin

Dhoni in his recent interview remarked the side would be much satisfied to see the local hero Ashwin making into the squad.

On the other side, CSK has set the horizon on the auction to pick the promising spinners who have the ability to make the contest riveting.

• To strengthen the core:

With the tagline of the Whistle Podu, CSK would have a lot on an offer in the ring on both the auction days which will further make it clear how distinct team management have fared.

With Dhoni, back to the fold, who has simultaneously backed the youngsters would want the squad that would provide the varieties.

However, the main aim would be preparing the core team and be looking forward – to have a shot at the third title of the IPL which has been the success story under the tutelage of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

In my opinion, CSK would be looking forward to plug in the loopholes they have encountered and the management of one of the major IPL teams could spring a surprise during the auction time slated to kick off on Saturday (January 27).

Follow the extensive IPL Auction details here: IPL 2018