Beyond their overseas picks, it will be interesting to see if CSK tap on local resources who they have been extensively scouting. (IPL Photo)Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will unusually have a busy mini-auction after they fumbled last season to finish at the bottom of the table. With Rs 43.40 crore left in their auction purse, CSK have enough funds to fill the holes they have created by letting go of players. The question though is whether they can land like-for-like replacements from the auction, where the demand totally outweighs the supply. Here is a look at what KKR would be up to at the auction table
Retentions: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (traded in from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj.
Ahead of the auctions, CSK already got hold of one of their prime targets in Sanju Samson. Having used much of their last season looking to identify talents that could serve them for the next season, their replacement picks Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel have already strengthened the squad. However, the exit of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin means, Chennai don’t have frontline Indian spinner at their disposal. Traditionally, CSK have looked at an overseas top-order batsman, couple of all-rounders and a fast bowler when it comes to their overseas picks in the XI. With Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad taking one of the overseas slot, CSK have need three foreign players who will fit their XI.
With Samson in place as a wicketkeeper option and the top-order pretty much looking intact, it would be interesting to see if CSK still go in search of a proven opener at the top. Cameron Green is an exciting option as he can also play in the middle-order as a finisher and could provide them with firepower. If they need an Indian, there is Prithvi Shaw, a player who went unsold last auction. He has since tried to resurrect his career at Maharashtra where CSK’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has had a first-hand look at what Shaw has been doing. Being at CSK could also help for Shaw to find his feet again. However, if they feel confident in Mhatre and Urvil, then they could go big on Venkatesh Iyer and Liam Livingstone. Apart from being all-rounders, will provide the franchise with intent in the middle-order which they currently lack. Bairstow is a left-field option, but since he is one-dimensional, may turn out to be their Plan C. South Africa’s David Miller could also feature in their discussions as he is known to ace the finisher’s role. The problem is he doesn’t bowl. Don’t be surprised if they go back to Rachin Ravindra as a squad player.
With Matheesha Pathirana released, CSK need a back-up option to Nathan Ellis. Mustafizur Rahman and Lungi Ngidi, who have been with the franchise before are reliable options. There is also Matt Henry, one was part of their set-up previously and his pace would be off high value. Beyond them, there is Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Jacob Duffy to pick from. With Akash Deep available, CSK would be tempted to go for him alongside J&K Auqib Nabi, Akash Madhwal and Simarjeet Singh.
With Jadeja not around and Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar could fetch interest from CSK, unless they opt for overseas options who would ultimately cause imbalance.
In a departure from the past, they are showing willingness to invest in young, uncapped talents. Beyond their overseas picks, it will be interesting to see if they tap on local resources who they have been extensively scouting.
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