IPL 2023 Auction: "They Had To Make Some Difficult Decisions": Sanjay Manjrekar On CSK Releasing Dwayne Bravo

Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) weak performance in the IPL 2022 may have led to the release of Dwayne Bravo.

The Chennai-based franchise has released 8 players ahead of the IPL 2023 auction, which will take place on December 23 in Kochi. Other players dropped from the previous squad included retired Robin Uthappa, Narayan Jagadeesan, Adam Milne, Chris Jordan, KM Asif, Hari Nishaanth, and Bhagath Varma.

Manjrekar was questioned about his opinions over CSK releasing Bravo during a talk on Star Sports. He answered:

“They had to make some tough calls because they didn’t have a great IPL and the aging players were the first ones to feel the pressure and that is what has happened. If CSK would have had a better IPL season maybe they would have said let’s give this guy (Bravo) one more season.”

The former Indian cricketer emphasized that Bravo can still hold his own as a death bowler, despite his decreasing results as a hitter, explaining:

“He is still there, he is still bowling the difficult overs. The batting contribution had dwindled but a high utility player. Still had the zest for the game, bowls all those varieties of slower deliveries and he is a seasoned death bowler.”

“Ambati Rayudu might deliver the goods in IPL 2023”: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar believes that while Ambati Rayudu may deliver in IPL 2023, MS Dhoni’s team would need to strengthen their middle order.

Sanjay Manjrekar stated, “Their batting struggled a little bit, but despite the fact that Ambati Rayudu didn’t quite get the consistent numbers he desired, it seemed like there was something there, which is why he was kept for one more season because he has someone more to offer. However, they require a couple of game changers in the midst.”

Rayudu played 11 innings in the IPL 2022 and amassed 274 runs at a respectable strike rate of 122.32. After the competition, the 37-year-old even made his retirement public on social media. He was prompted to change his mind by CSK management, though.

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