IPL 2021: 5 Famous Players From Tamil Nadu Who Never Played For Chennai Super Kings

Tamil Nadu has a knack for producing talented bowlers from time to time and it has been a feature for them due to a lot of tracks that are not suited for batting longer periods. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been the latest entry to the list and will go down as the best player from Tamil Nadu to have represented India when he finishes his career. But it was the Chennai Super Kings franchise that unveiled the talent of Ashwin.

Chennai Super Kings have picked up some domestic talent in the IPL Auction 2021 in the form of Hari Nishaath who was superb for Tamil Nadu at the top of the order in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. N Jagadeesan and Sai Kishore have been part of the CSK set up for the last few years and they will find a place in the playing XI sooner or later.

IPL 2021: 5 Famous Players From Tamil Nadu Who Never Played For Chennai Super Kings:

5. Varun Chakravarthy:

Mystery Spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the joint most expensive player in the 2019 auction and a lot of the IPL fans were shocked seeing the price tag for an uncapped player who hasn’t played a single game in the IPL. He was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for a whopping 8.4 crores but could not play more than one game in the season due to an injury. However, he went into the auction pool the next year and was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for 4 crores.

He had an excellent outing with the KKR last season and finished as the highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 17 wickets in 13 games. His good performances earned him a place in the Indian T20 side for the Australia tour but couldn’t be part of it due to an injury. He could have done wonders if he had been under MS Dhoni and he has never played for the franchise.

4. T Natarajan:

Left-arm seamer T Natarajan has been part of various IPL teams after his good stint in the TNPL for Dindigul Dragons. He made his IPL debut for the Kings XI Punjab in the 2017 season and Sunrisers Hyderabad picked him up in the 2018 auction. He was benched on the most part of the season for 2018 and 2019. He got his chance in the 2020 season after an injury to Bhuvenshwar Kumar and has been a sensation so far.

His ability to hit the yorkers consistently was a big feature of him and took his opportunities with both hands. It also earned his maiden call up to the Indian squad for the Australia tour and was very successful too. He was one of the bright prospects from the tour and is part of the plans for the T20 WorldCup in India later this year. He would have been an excellent pick for the CSK considering the fewer number of fast bowlers in their squad but it dint pan out that way.

3. Murugan Ashwin:

Wrist Spinner Murugan Ashwin made his way through to the IPL in the 2016 edition for the Rising Pune Supergiants at first. He did a decent job under the guidance of MS Dhoni and was a big turner of the ball. The leggie did impress in his debut season and was picked up by the RCB team in the 2018 mega auction. He featured in the Tamil Nadu side regularly despite getting fewer games in the IPL.

He was picked by the Kings XI Punjab franchise in the 2019 auction and he did a good job with his skipper Ravichandran Ashwin in the middle overs. The 2020 season was very productive for him alongside Ravi Bishnoi and both the leggies will play a crucial part this year too. He would have been handy for the CSK in the turning pitches at Chepauk.

2. Washington Sundar:

All-rounder Washington Sundar also came into the limelight at first for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the 2017 IPL edition as a replacement for the injured Ravichandran Ashwin. Sundar who is known mainly for his batting did impress with the new ball and proved to a great addition to the side with his economical bowling.

His excellent performances earned him a callup to the Indian T20 side soon and he was picked by Virat Kohli’s RCB in the 2018 auction. He had shown his ability with the bat in the recent tests for India down the order and could be vital to India’s plans for the T20 World Cup. CSK would be hoping to pick up the all-rounder in the future auction.

1. Dinesh Karthik:

Dinesh Karthik has been part of the IPL from the inaugural editions and has played for various franchises in the IPL. It is a big surprise that the stylish batsman from Tamil Nadu hasn’t been picked by CSK despite his excellent captaincy in the domestic tournaments for the state. Dinesh Karthik was the captain of the KKR side from the 2018 edition to the mid-IPL of last year.

Dinesh Karthik has represented 6 IPL teams including the Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Lions, and Kolkata Knight Riders so far. He has been in and out of the Indian side and CSK will be looking to go to pick him in the mega auction if he is not retained by KKR next year.