The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defied all odds in 2021 to emerge champions. Nobody gave them a chance post the dismal 2020 season. They finished at the 7th spot in 2020. It was for the first that CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs. But they made a remarkable comeback in 2021 to emerge champions, lets see 5 Players CSK Can Target In IPL 2022 Mega Auction.
The class of 2021:
They had different players who stood up at different times to be counted. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Faf Du Plessis were the stars of the campaign. They were ably supported by the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Josh Hazlewood, Shardul Thakur, and Dwayne Bravo.
CSK retained 4 players with MS Dhoni forming a part of the quarter along with Jadeja, Ali, and Gaikwad. They will be looking to acquire quality players through the mega auctions.
We look at 5 players whom CSK can target in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction:
#5 Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur has emerged as one of India’s unlikely heroes. India are yet to lose a Test match featuring Thakur in the side. He gave a glimpse of his talent in India’s historic win at the Gabba. Thakur then played a vital hand in India’s win over England at the Oval. He played a key part in CSK’s title win in 2021. Thakur is familiar with CSK culture and one can expect them to go for him in the auctions.
#4 Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan has emerged as one of the finest finishers in the domestic circuit. He showcased his class in the SMAT 2021 finals too smashing a six off the final ball to win the trophy. Punjab Kings who acquired Khan in the 2021 mini-auctions failed to utilise his talent completely. Khan has been in sizzling form in the Vijay Hazare too. As he represents Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit, he will bring in local flavour too.
#3 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin started his career with CSK. He then emerged as one of their biggest match-winners. Ashwin was an integral part of CSK’s successive title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2011. CSK retained him in 2014 but had to let go of him in 2018 mega auctions. Since then, CSK’s spin cupboard has been pretty bare. They need a spinner of Ashwin’s quality in their ranks. It will be a homecoming for him too.
#2 Trent Boult
CSK’s overseas pace department has been one of their soft spots. Apart from Josh Hazlewood, none of the overseas bowlers have impressed. Their faith in Lungi Ngidi hasn’t paid off. CSK needs a pacer of high quality. They need someone who is lethal with not just the new ball but is good at the death too. CSK will look to hire someone like Trent Boult who could be their pace bowling X-factor.
#1 Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is one of the most talented young cricketers in the country. He had a breakthrough IPL season in 2020. Kishan smashed 520 runs at an average of 57.33 with a strike rate of 145. He also led the charts for smashing the most sixes that season.
Kishan broke into the Indian team on the back of such a strong season. He had a middling IPL 2021. It was widely expected that Mumbai will retain Kishan in the retentions. But that wasn’t meant to be. He is quite likely to be one of the first picks in the player draft or in the auctions. CSK needs a young enforcer in the middle-order. Kishan fits the bill perfectly.
