Chennai Super Kings are arguably the most successful and the most controversial franchise in the Indian Premier League history with a win percentage of 61.28%. They have successfully maintained a record of finishing in top four in every IPL they have participated. There was a two-year ban in 2016 and 2017, However, CSK celebrated their return to IPL with their third triumph in the 2018 version and were runners-up last season.
CSK generally go with a stable team and hence this time also they have opted to retain 20 players and released just six players. Still, there are few key gaps and back-ups they should look to bring in the team looking into the future.
The age can be a problem for CSK as they have four batsmen over 34 as both Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo are 38 and 36 respectively, Imran Tahir has passed 40. Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni both are nearing 40 and not playing regularly. Hence, creating proper replacements for their ageing stars will be the primary agenda for them in the auction.
One of their key young players is Ruturaj Gaikwad who had a fantastic domestic and India A season in the limited over format. CSK should look to play Gaikwad regularly and can opt for other young batting options like Ankush Bains, Rahul Tripathi or some of the top performers from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. They can also focus on players like Aaron Finch, Martin Guptill, and Evin Lewis to strengthen their batting further.
In the bowling department, they have some very good young fast bowlers like Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur. However, Ngidi has issues with injury and they can bring one back-up for him from possible options like Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne, Alzarri Joseph and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Imran Tahir is an absolute champion in recent IPLs but with age not in his side, CSK should look from likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Prayas Ray Barman and Sudhesan Midhun or they can look abroad to get players like Hayden Walsh or Tabraiz Shamsi.
CSK should also focus to bring some wicketkeeping back-up for MS Dhoni. Prabhsimran Singh was under lots of focus during last IPL auction when he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab for 4.80 Crore. However, he is released by KXIP and CSK can opt for the young wicket-keeper as an understudy for MS Dhoni.
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