Chennai Super Kings is planning something different this time in the IPL Mega Auction. The team finished last season, so this time they released several key players and saved ₹43.40 crore in their purse.
The biggest news is that Sanju Samson has already been added to the team after being traded from Rajasthan Royals.
Big names like Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shivam Dube have been retained, but the departure of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin has left the spin department completely empty.
What does CSK need now?
The team currently has only one foreign spinner, Noor Ahmed, with the remaining three foreign slots vacant. CSK has always acquired a powerful foreign top-order batsman, two all-rounders, and a fast bowler.
This time, Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, and Venkatesh Iyer are the top targets. If an Indian all-rounder is needed, Prithvi Shaw is also on the list, as Ruturaj has played with him for Maharashtra and knows him well.
David Miller and Jonny Bairstow are also in Plan B-C for finishers. There is also talk of bringing Rachin Ravindra back into the squad.
Pace Attack and Spin Concerns
After releasing Mathisha Pathirana, another quality foreign pacer is needed to join Nathan Ellis. Names like Mustafizur Rahman, Lungi Ngidi, Matt Henry, Gerald Coetzee, and Anrich Nortje are on the list.
Among Indian pacers, Akash Deep, Aaqib Nabi, and Akash Madhwal are also being considered. The plan is to include Ravi Bishnoi or Rahul Chahar in spin, as bringing in a foreign spinner could upset the balance.
This time, CSK is breaking away from its old style and placing a heavy bet on uncapped young talent.
Boys like Ayush Mhatre, Devald Brewis, and Urvil Patel have already been acquired, and local scouting is in full swing.
The auction in Jeddah on December 28-29 will reveal what Dhoni and Fleming can truly accomplish!
