With a lot of speculation taking place in the first instance, we have relied on guesses – to see who the star-studded and crowd-favourite team Chennai Super Kings retain in the upcoming IPL Players’ Auction of 2018.
CSK makes a comeback after two years as the Chennai-based franchise was suspended by SC appointed judge Mukul Mudgal after investigating the spot-fixing scandal.
We are heading into the eleventh year of the widely-recognised Indian Premier League (IPL) which will kick off with a bang in April-May next year following the highly-likely major overhauling during the development after the first edition kicked-off in 2008.
Regarding the successful T20 competition, the sole question on everyone’s mind is what will be on the plate for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament for the fresh edition.
As it has not been made clear yet how many teams could participate in the competition or the number of players teams could retain in the IPL 2018, we are looking into it as the postulation while considering the fan-base, impact of a marquee player and the attempt to push youngsters for the long-term plan.
Team Chennai Super Kings:
We postulate about at least three players who could be retained by the Chennai Super Kings, as can the other teams.
Without an iota of doubt, Men in Yellow would be aiming to go for the first-choice and shrewd thinker of gentleman’s game Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who after Chennai Super Kings’ suspension, represented Rising Pune Supergiant(s) in 2016, as a skipper and then as a wicket-keeper batsman in 2017.
What has Super Kings achieved in the IPL history so far?
In 2010 and 2011, Super Kings lifted the IPL trophy followed by Twenty20 Champions League win in 2010 and 2014.
Interestingly, Super Kings were runners-up in the first edition followed by 2012, 2013 and 2015.
In 2013, Super Kings was semi-finalists after finishing up during group stages in 2011 and 2012 in the Champions League.
How could Chennai Super Kings build up?
Looking for a balance in the squad, Chennai Super Kings could build up their squad while picking their impact players from Rising Pune Supergiant.
With the teams relied on the list of fixed players that have had eventually become the norm in the domestic set-up across the globe, as IPL has maintained the same procedure before the completion of the ten years of IPL.
While considering the fact, Chennai Super Kings solely relied on its impact players as the team went on to lift the two IPL titles in a bid to dominate the tournament.
Here’s the list of at least three players who should be retained by the Super Kings management:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni:
While banking on his experience, the most-sought-after batsman in the limited-overs competition Dhoni has played a crucial part for Super Kings as a leader and then as an explosive batsman, who has the ability to pile-up the miseries for the bowlers on his day.
Moreover, Dhoni has a massive fan following while across India and Chennai specifically, he is a crowd puller.
Dhoni played 159 matches in which he represented Super Kings in 129 fixtures.
However, in overall IPL matches, Dhoni amassed 3,561 runs at an average of 37.38. He has registered 17 fifties which further saw him facing 2,604 deliveries since the inception of the tournament.
Known for smashing the white-ball hard and long, Dhoni collected 251 boundaries and 156 sixes in the eight-team IPL tournament.
Behind the stumps, Dhoni’s contribution has been impactful which eventually saw him affecting 30 dismissals (stumps) and went on to claim 76 catches.
Ravichandran Ashwin:
The spin-bowling spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin, who played in eight editions of the IPL which further saw him missing the tenth edition of the IPL due to a sports hernia.
In 111 IPL fixtures, the premium off-spinner Ashwin bagged 100 wickets at the average of 25 which further saw his overall economy of 6.55.
While having a quality experience on his back, Ashwin is the prominent figure Super Kings would be eyeing to have in the
In 2015 Chennai Super Kings, Squad there were several key players lined-up including Suresh Raina followed by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and South African Faf du Plessis and Windies Samuel Badree as bowling all-rounder Chris Morris was also the part of CSK family.
Ashwin has been the first-choice spinner after going from strength to strength who went on to pay rich dividends for his team from time-to-time.
Faf du Plessis:
South African skipper Faf du Plessis, who made his IPL debut for Chennai Super way back in 2011, even though played just two matches in the recently concluded season would be another top-contender owing to the retention policy for the Super Kings.
The limited-overs specialist could play a significant part for his side as he can change the complexion of the game.
The middle-order batsman du Plessis could be an important asset for the side which would be banking on its senior campaigners.
In 53 IPL matches, du Plessis averaged 30.11 as he collected overall 1,295 runs. He has registered eight fifties in five editions.
On the other side, injury-marred Dwayne Bravo is a player to watch out for owing to his all-round abilities, who could boost the franchise in the fielding as well.
*Note: All three players were also the part of 2015 Super Kings squad before the team was handed over a two-year suspension following the infamous match-fixing scandal (2013) which involved the CSK’s top-brass and allegedly included the players of Rajasthan Royals.