The much-awaited IPL mega auction concluded with 204 players getting sold for over INR 550 crores in just 2 days. This was one of the most difficult and intriguing auctions with teams employing different strategies, from Kolkata and Punjab going hard at the front to Mumbai and Chennai playing the waiting game. So how did Chennai Super Kings do in this 2022 IPL Mega Auction? Here are our views:
Going into the auction, Chennai Super Kings retained a maximum of 4 players in Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, and Ruturaj Gaikwad with a purse of 48 CR. It was really interesting to see CSK’s approach if they would buy back their old players or completely revamp the setup with the younger guys. To be fair, CSK has bought really well and maintained their core template – having as many multi-skilled players as possible.
Chennai has managed to put up an experienced core blended with some raw talent:
STAR PICKS – UNRETAINED
Let’s look at the star players bought and what we can expect out of them:
Deepak Chahar
It would be very difficult to look past the million-dollar man as there was a fierce bidding war from teams like Rajasthan, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Chennai was keen on buying the Indian pacer and eventually snapping him for a whopping sum of INR 14 CR. Deepak Chahar needs to take up the bulk of the responsibility, as the Indian bowling attack looks a little thin and short of experience. It would be very crucial and important that Chahar picks up early wickets in the powerplay and sets the game up for the team.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube burst onto the scene with his clean ball-striking and six-hitting ability from the word go. Apart from a few cameos, he hasn’t justified the talent that he possesses. It would be very interesting to see how Dhoni uses him as his late-order cameos would be helpful in the never-ending batting lineup of CSK.
Devon Conway
CSK had their plans set coming to the auction. When Faf was out of reach, they definitely had a plan B in Devon Conway. The dashing New Zealander is a great addition to the team and is also temperamentally strong. All eyes will be on Conway on how he fills Faf’s shoes. It would also be interesting to see how he plays, as this would be the first of many more IPL seasons to come for him.
Dwayne Bravo
Bravo has been a proven match-winner for almost a decade. From the team which CSK has picked; it seems that Bravo will not play all 14 games. The biggest challenge would be to keep himself fit. It remains to be seen how Bravo approaches the final stint of his T20 career.
OVERSEAS PICKS
There have been a few excellent additions to CSK’s setup where they have covered all bases. One of the interesting picks is Maheesh Theekshana, the Sri Lankan off-spinner. There is a lot of talks that this boy’s bowling attributes resemble that of the Ajantha Mendis. He still has a bit of a mystery about his off-spin and still remains to be seen how well he performs under pressure in a tournament like the IPL.
The other interesting pick is Dwaine Pretorius, who seems to be a straight swap for Dwayne Bravo. Adam Milne is an exciting pick when it comes to the structure of CSK since they have had very few out-and-out fast bowlers who can crank it up to 150 KMPH. Chennai has also bought well, with the likes of Chris Jordan, Mitchell Santner, and Devon Conway – whom we already discussed earlier in this blog.
POTENTIAL BREAKOUTS FOR THE SEASON
They have a lot of young talent, which is a bit strange, as we generally associate Chennai Super Kings with aged, experienced, and the “Dad’s Army” tag. Apart from the regulars, there are a lot of IPL first-timers in the squad. There are a lot of young potential stars to watch out for in this squad.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar
This 19-year-old sensation impressed everyone in the recently concluded under 19 world cup with his exceptionally sharp bowling. His hard-hitting abilities are even more popular than his bowling. It remains to be seen how he handles bowling in pressure situations and grows as a full-fledged cricketer under Dhoni.
Prashant Solanki
The 21-year-old Mumbai leggie could be the find of the season if he consistently gets game time in the middle. Solanki already has a 5-wicket haul in a handful of games, playing for Mumbai.
Dwaine Pretorius
There is a certainty that Pretorius will be in the scheme of things since Bravo will not be fit enough to play all 14 games. He has a similar skillset to Bravo but it remains to be seen if he performs under pressure, especially with untested qualities in sub-continent conditions.
Probable XI
The big advantage that CSK has is that the players pick themselves in the playing 11. There would be no doubt that they will go in with a consistent playing 11 barring a few tactical decisions, like bringing in Maheesh Theekshana, and definitely in case of injuries. The ideal playing 11 would be:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Devon Conway
- Moeen Ali
- Ambati Rayudu
- MS Dhoni (C/WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shivam Dube
- Dwayne Bravo
- Adam Milne
- Deepak Chahar
- Hangargekar/Deshpande
In the past CSK teams, the engine room has always been the middle order but it could be a slight weakness this time. None of the players from No.4 to No.8 in this CSK team, barring Ravindra Jadeja, has played a competitive cricket for a long time. If they fire on all cylinders, then again CSK will be the team to beat this season as well.
What do you think of the team built by Chennai Super Kings?
What is your review of the team built by the Chennai Super Kings in 2022 IPL Mega Auction? Do share and comment in the comments section. You can also write us on our Twitter and Instagram handles. You can reach me directly at my Twitter handle Jaamie Marsh. Please do not forget to share this blog with other cricket fans.
Image Credit: ChennaiIPL
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) approached the 2022 IPL mega auction with their trademark shrewdness and strategic acumen, aiming to reinforce their squad after a somewhat lackluster performance in the previous season. With an eye on maintaining their winning legacy, CSK’s auction strategy focused on addressing key areas of concern while retaining the core ethos that has defined their success over the years.
One of the standout moves by CSK was their retention of seasoned campaigners like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja, ensuring continuity and stability in leadership and experience. Additionally, they made astute acquisitions in the auction, adding depth to their batting, bowling, and all-round options.
CSK’s emphasis on recruiting versatile players who can contribute in multiple facets of the game was evident, with the team management opting for a balanced mix of proven performers and emerging talents. The inclusion of impactful overseas players further bolstered their squad dynamics, providing valuable overseas options to complement their Indian contingent.