The World Cup fever is gone and the hype for the IPL is going up. The IPL auction is all set to happen on December 19. All franchises submitted the retained and released player’s list on November 26. Not all teams are doing last-time checking before the auctions. Chennai Super Kings will be finding a perfect player for their number 4 position after Ambati Rayudu’s retirement. Ravichandran Ashwin talked about CSK’s number 4 need and a suitable player for that position.
CSK’s Number 4 need:
In IPL Chennai Super Kings is one of the big names. In 2021, they won the IPL trophy for the fifth time. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, the team performs consistently almost in every season. But Ambati Rayudu retired from all forms of cricket after IPL 2023 final. He was a responsible batter of the Chennai Super Kings in the number 4 or 5 position. His absence will be an issue for the team.
Former CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin has been named as a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. He suggested Karun Nair. He is a good middle-order batter. While playing for India, he played a knock of 303 runs. That was excellent. He has years of experience. He can play spin exceptionally well and he can bat at the number 4 or 5 with his excellence. Previously, he has been a part of Rajasthan Royals. Last year, Lucknow took him as KL Rahul’s replacement. And this year, Lucknow Super Giants released him. That can be a good opportunity for CSK.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Take:
Ravichandran Ashwin suggested Karun Nair’s name to CSK for their number 4 or 5 need. He said, “They (CSK) are searching for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. Shahrukh (Khan) is not a replacement for him at No. 4. I have no idea who they are going to play in that position this season. They might try a left-hand option but if you look at CSK’s track record, they have never gone for an unknown commodity. They have never played anybody who just did well in their first season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So Karun Nair, folks, brace yourself to see him in yellow.”
He concentrated on Karun Nair’s skill and said, “He is somebody who can play spin well, who could sweep and reverse sweep. MS Dhoni loves it when there is a batter who can play between the top order and the middle order in the No.4 slot, especially in Chennai. I feel Karun Nair is perfect for that. I haven’t really seen Manish Pandey play spin too much in Chennai but Karun Nair, remember has a triple hundred in a Test match played in Chennai.”
Chennai Super Kings has a purse value of 31.40 crores and they can take six players. Their concerning areas are the middle order and the fast bowling section. Auctions will be held on December 19 in Dubai. CSK will fight hard to make a solid team.
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