CSK (Source: IPL)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) always look like the most sought-after team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are always criticized for buying players who are over 30 but interestingly, the franchise is very consistent, winning the trophy five times. Their star captain MS Dhoni resigned from his position ahead of IPL 2024 but that didn’t impact them much on the field, as there was still unity, even though Chennai failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Dhoni remains the face and voice of CSK. However, it’s unclear if the star cricketer will feature in the upcoming edition of the IPL. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are yet to finalize the number of players each franchise can retain and whether or not the ‘Right To Match’ (RTM) cards will be back during the upcoming mega-auction.
Nevertheless, Chennai would like the idea of a mega-auction. An overhaul was needed as going with the same for another cycle would have been dangerous, given that many of their key players are in mid or post-30. So, who are the top three cricketers CSK can release ahead of the next edition?
Here are the three players whom Chennai Super Kings may retain ahead of the mega auction:
3. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur made a name for himself while playing for Chennai Super Kings. However, ahead of the IPL 2022, the franchise couldn’t retain him due to limitations. He played a season each for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders but couldn’t make much of an impact and was released ahead of the 2024 edition.
Chennai spent INR 4 crore to sign him in the auction. However, Thakur failed to make a mark, which is why, the franchise will have to let him go. He played nine matches for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side in 2024 and picked up only five wickets at an economy of 9.75. Chennai might not even buy him back and look for alternatives.
In the absence of a star Indian pacer in the team, Thakur had the opportunity to capitalize and seal his spot in the playing XI and remain in the scheme of things as far as the Indian team is concerned. However, he struggled with both ball and bat and will have to grind hard in the domestics to make a case for himself.
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2. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane stunned the cricketing fraternity with his range of shots and strike rate in IPL 2023. In that edition of the competition, Rahane made 326 runs in 11 innings, at a strike rate of 172.48. It helped him seal a spot in the playing XI as the franchise also retained him for the next edition.
However, Rahane failed to get into the same zone in 2024. In the 12 innings that he played, Rahane made 242 runs at a strike rate of 123.46. It was not enough and it’s unlikely that the cricketer would have another big season in the tournament, given that he is more calm and composed and likes to take time to settle down.
Chennai is very likely to look beyond him in the upcoming cycle. Given that he is 36 years old, the franchise can’t show trust in him as they would be eager to build a team for the future.
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1. Rachin Ravindra
Under no circumstances, the BCCI will allow each franchise to retain more than two overseas players. That’s where Rachin Ravindra will fall behind. After a stunning ODI World Cup, where he scored 578 runs in 10 matches and finished as the fourth-leading run-scorer of the tournament, Chennai Super Kings signed the New Zealand international for INR 1.8 crore.
He started the tournament in flying colours but as time progressed, Ravindra failed to keep up with the momentum. He hit 222 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 160.86 and wasn’t trusted much with the ball, as the Impact Player Rule significantly decreased the workload of an allrounder.
Chennai is expected to retain Matheesha Pathirana and either Maheesh Theekshana or Daryl Mitchell but it completely depends on the rule BCCI sets on retentions. However, the franchise can use their RTM card, if that’s allowed, for Rachin, who may not fetch big bucks in the auction.