Ahead of the much-awaited auction for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has spoken about the Chennai Super Kings’ strategy. The auction is scheduled for December 19 in Dubai.
Chennai Super Kings will have their share in the auction as they look to replace players like Ambati Rayudu and Ben Stokes. While Rayudu retired from the IPL after helping the team win IPL 2023, Stokes was recently released. The five-time IPL winners also released Dwaine Pretorius, Ambati Rayudu, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Jamieson, Bhagath Varma, Senapati and Akash Singh ahead of the auction.
Speculation is rife that the Chennai-based team could opt for a big name in batting to replace Rayudu, who was a key member of their middle-order since 2018. There are murmurs that the IPL giants could opt for the New Zealand’s new batting sensation, Rachin Ravindra. who has had an impressive campaign in the recently concluded World Cup.
Aakash Chopra on CSK’s auction strategy:
While recent reports suggest that CSK could go all out for a batsman in the IPL auction, Aakash Chopra believes otherwise. The former cricketer-turned-commentator has said that CSK is likely to go for a bowler and could rope in Shardul Thakur, who has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders.
“It is clear that there are two departments where we will have to rebuild a little. One is the fast bowling department because Tushar Deshpande, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh will need someone else,” Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema.
“They need fast bowlers. It could be abroad or India. They will definitely go and buy fast bowlers. They are generally aimed at experienced players. So don’t be surprised if they choose Shardul Thakur because 31.4 crore is a lot and Shardul Thakur was also part of this team earlier,” he added.
Shardul Thakur joined CSK in 2018 and was a key member of the team. In 2021, he was the franchise’s highest wicket-taker as they moved to the IPL for the fourth time. He is also a skilled lower-order batsman and CSK could go for his former player in the auction.
