Founded in 2008, Chennai Super Kings is one of the most successful IPL teams, winning 5 titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) & reaching the playoffs 12 times. Known for consistency & their iconic “Whistle Podu” chant, CSK plays at the electrifying Chepauk Stadium.
They have had many legends of the game including MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, DJ Bravo, Shane Watson and Ravindra Jadeja!
Known for backing experienced players, CSK thrives on strategy and will be looking to build their XI in a similar manner once more!
Chennai Super Kings Retentions:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (18 crore)
- MS Dhoni (4 crore)
- Ravindra Jadeja (18 crore)
- Shivam Dube (12 crore)
- Mateesha Pathirana (13 crore)
Players Released:
Moeen Ali*, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ajay Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner*, Simarjeet Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana*, Rachin Ravindra*, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell*, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman*, Richard Gleeson*, Avanish Rao Aravelly, Devon Conway*
*Overseas Player
CSK’s Ultimate Goal:
- CSK look set to continue their run of spin to win in their home games, alongside managing to get wins away using their squad depth to perform consistently.
- The retention of Jadeja leads one to believe, CSK are yet to identify a local budding all-rounder who could replace him and will be hoping they sign someone at the auction this season.
- With much fervour around this being MS Dhoni’s last season with the Chennai Super Kings, they will be on the lookout for a new keeper and reports say this may likely be Rishabh Pant.
Also read: Mumbai Indians – Auction predictions.
What do Chennai Super Kings need?
- A new ball bowler, having let go of Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande in the auction.
- CSK did struggle at times in Chepauk with Jadeja leaking runs in the middle overs, not at his best, CSK will look to target a backup spinner as well.
- They need an opening batter and a batter at number three who may also double up as a back-up keeper if required.
- CSK also need a middle-order all-rounder who can contribute in multiple facets of the game, with the bat, ball or in the field.
- A spinner, for when they play away, an attacking spinner to fill the role.
Possible XI:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Overseas Opener / Keeper
- Indian Batter
- Shivam Dube
- Overseas Batter / All Rounder
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (WK)
- Overseas All Rounder
- Indian Pacer / Indian All Rounder
- Indian Pacer / Spinner
- Mateesha Pathirana
With just 55 crore as they head into the auction, the Chennai Super Kings will need to buy a minimum of 13 more players, to make the minimum squad size of 18.
Possible Purchases for Chennai Super Kings:
CSK are on the hunt for two versatility players and with Stephen Fleming a sucker for Kiwis, this may lead them to go on the hunt for fellow Kiwi Players.
- Glenn Phillips – GP strikes at 142 overall and 190 at the death, making him a super attractive option for the Chennai Super Kings, being able to bowl spin and fill the boots of a finisher. GP can handle spin and pace well, scoring in unorthodox areas and his ability as a finisher makes him a great option for the Super Kings.
- Devon Conway – Conway adds a wonderful option up top alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, slotting in to form a left-right combination. His record stacks up against the best, having scored 924 runs for CSK in two seasons, averaging 48.63 and striking at 141.28! With a strike rate of 153 in the middle overs for CSK, he makes sure the momentum isn’t lost after the Powerplay!
- Marcus Stoinis – CSK do not shy away from experience, and Marcus Stoinis offers them just that alongside his well-improved new ball bowling performances. In his last game at Chepauk, the Australian hit a massive hundred and proved his mettle at the venue.
- Rachin Ravindra – They may well chase after Rachin Ravindra once again, while his T20 performances do not stand out, he could form the crux of the middle order at 5, and his spin bowling has only done favours to his reputation, bowling SLA, he was the second highest wicket-taker at season two of Major League Cricket with 12 wickets at an economy 4.8 and average of 6! He was ultra-aggressive in his only season in the IPL with CSK, striking at 160!
- Shahbaz Ahmed – A player very much like Jadeja, he had his best IPL season to date, having taken 7 wickets an at economy under 10 and scored 215 runs, averaging 24 at a strike rate of 130, a handy all-round player, he’s a player that CSK will target as well, not just SRH.
- Maheesh Theekshana – Theekshana offers them mystery spin, and an economy rate of 6.65 in the middle overs along with Jadeja will allow CSK to create a stranglehold. His new ball exploits alongside another new ball option will make sure CSK can use Pathirana only at the back end.
- Marco Jansen – Marco Jansen has come a long way in 2024, with his bowling economy dropping down to 8.95 in the death overs, his balls per wicket has come down to 18 in the powerplay in 2024, allowing CSK to use him with the new ball and lofty hitting will be critical with a balls per boundary of just 4.35 in 2024!
- Mustafizur Rahman – The Fizz had a great season in 2024, with an average of 22.71 and was super critical in the powerplay and in the middle for the Chennai Super Kings and they may well look to bring back the Fizz once more.
- Tushar Deshpande – Deshpande is a certain investment the Chennai Super Kings will look to make, who has taken 38 wickets in his last two seasons with CSK, averaging 25.95, at an economy of 9.05!
- Deepak Chahar – The Super Kings may look to bring back Deepak Chahar for a reasonable price with Chahar’s injury issues relegating him to just 18 appearances in the last two seasons. But his impressive season in 2023 will fill CSK with hope, where he picked 13 wickets at 23 at an economy of 8. Chahar has also managed to send down 122 overs with the red ball in back-to-back games in the Ranji Trophy in 2024, showing he’s fully fit and raring to go.
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