5 players Chennai Super Kings might target in mini-auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the joint-successful team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history alongside, Mumbai Indians (MI). CSK is a team that the other franchises never lightly as they can beat the best team on paper as well. They performed poorly in just two seasons (2020 and 2022) when they finished 9th in the points table. They made the changes and won the trophy the following years after finishing ninth. 

They are the most strategic teams among all the ten franchises. The five-time winners have released some big names like Ben Stokes, and Ambati Rayudu (now retired). The team's middle order is looking a bit weak and they would love to add some middle-order batters and batting all-rounders to strengthen their squad. 

The IPL Player Auction 2024 is scheduled to be held in Dubai on December 19. The Yellow Brigade released eight players in total before the IPL retention deadline. Their skipper MS Dhoni has been recovering from the knee surgery he had earlier this year and will be featuring in another tournament which might be the last one for the 42-year-old wicket-keeper batter. Super Kings has 32.1 crore INR left in their purse and would love to go for at least one big buy in the mini-auction. In the article, we will be looking at the players that the current holders might target in the auction. 

Here are the 5 players CSK might target in the mini-auction  

5. Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan will be the one name that will be targeted by the MS Dhoni-led side, as the young batter is explosive in the middle and can finish the game for the side. The right-hander was released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Super Kings tried to sign him previously as well but had to back out at the last moment due to budget issues. This time around, they have a good budget and can go for the Tamil Nadu player as he will add a local touch and knows the pitch of the MA Chidambaram Stadium quite well. 

4. Karun Nair 

Karun Nair should be pursued by the Chennai-based franchise because he can replace the void left by Ambati Rayudu. Nair has only played eight IPL matches since 2018. He will be a perfect replacement for Rayudu's role. Depending on the situation, he could alternate with Moeen Ali at numbers three and four to keep the right-left combination going. The 31-year-old batter might be an excellent middle-order option for the reigning champions if he is purchased in the upcoming auction.

3. Gerald Coetzee 

Gerald Coetzee had a great year of his career as the pacer who plays for Texas Super Kings (TSK) and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) a sub-franchise of CSK for the SA20, had a great ODI World Cup 2023, as he was one of the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the mega tournament picking up 20 wickets. The speedster can seam and swing new balls as he will fit in as the side with no premium overseas pacer in the squad. The five-time champions have the budget to acquire the 23-year-old bowler. 

2. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the all-rounder could not perform as per expectations with the price tag of 10.75 crore INR. Thakur was part of CSK and had the greatest time with the franchise as he was part of the 2018 and 2021 championship sides. The pitch of Chennai will also suit the bowling all-rounder as he has some deceptive cutters and slower ones which the batters might not be able to read on the slow pitch of Chennai. 

1. Rachin Ravindra 

Rachin Ravindra was the find of the ODI World Cup 2023, the opener scored three centuries in the tournament and became the first Kiwi batter to do so in a single edition of the event. The left-hander was among the top five highest run scorers, with more than 500 runs under his belt. With the performances shown by the batter at a young age, he will be among the top picks in the IPL 2024 auction and the first player CSK might love to target in the mini-auction. He will be adding an extra spin option on the side as well.