IPL 2021 Auction: Full list of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Retained Players, Released Players, Remaining Purse on Jan 21 All you need to know, Chennai Super Kings, the three-time champions of IPL, were the major talking point in IPL 2020 but for all the negative reasons. After getting thrashed in IPL 13, CSK seek to make a better team ahead of IPL 2021 and they will be eyeing to make full use of IPL 2021 mini auction and fine tune their team.
Here’s all you need to know about CSK’s strategy in IPL 2021 mini-auctions:
CSK IPL 2020 Squad: MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, M Vijay, Narayan Jagadeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KM Asif, Josh Hazlewood, Kedar Jadhav, Harbhajan Singh, Karn Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Imran Tahir , Deepak Chahar, Faf du Plessis, Shardul Thakur, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Lungi Ngidi, Sam Curran, Monu Kumar, Shane Watson, Sai Kishore
Top 3 players who are certain to be retained in IPL 2021 as per InsideSport assumption:
MS Dhoni: Dhoni will definitely play for the Chennai-based franchise in the 2021 season. The CSK skipper said so himself during the toss ahead of their final league game against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020. Also, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan earlier confirmed that Dhoni will lead the team in IPL 2021.
Suresh Raina: After missing IPL 2020 due to personal reasons, Suresh Raina is all set to return for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. According to a report by Mumbai Mirror, one of the CSK official has told them that Raina will make a comeback for the Men in Yellow in IPL 2021.
“He will be with us. There are no plans to part with him,” Mumbai Mirror quoted a top CSK official as saying.
Notably, Raina will have to sign a new contract as the last contact between the southpaw and CSK has ended in October 2020 after Raina returned from UAE.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Despite it being a season to forget, young Gaikwad was the silver lining for the franchise in IPL 2020. After having contracted the virus and chances of participating in doubt, the right-handed top-order batsman slammed three consecutive fifties in the last three games of the season – showing his mettle. He scored 204 runs in six matches after having not scored in his first two outings. The youngster is certain to remain in CSK.
Other players who are certain to be retained: Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur
Top 3 players who are likely to be retained in IPL 2021 as per InsideSport assumption:
Ravindra Jadeja: The all-rounder has been a part of the CSK setup for a long time now and that is one reason why Chennai may look to retain him. Also, he is a proven match-winner and has the ability to win matches as a fielder as well. He is one of the modern-day geniuses and an asset for any side. Moreover, Jadeja has been in superb form in the ongoing tour of Australia and was outstanding with the bat in the opening T20I in Canberra where he smashed unbeaten 44 of 23 balls before getting injured.
Sam Curran: Another all-rounder and another promising cricketer who was one of the few plus points in CSK’s dull IPL 2020 campaign. Curran is brilliant with the new ball and effective with the bat as a pinch-hitter. With age on his side, CSK is likely retain him looking ahead at building a team – something Dhoni has expressed he wants to do.
Faf Du Plessis: Another player whose experience makes him a threat, special and indispensable. The CSK opener was in top form as he amassed 449 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.81. His performance stood out and CSK would not let him go and think of buying him again as some other franchise may be ready to pay a whopping amount for his services.
Other players who are likely to be retained: Piyush Chawla, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, Karn Sharma, Sai Kishore
Top three players who will be definitely shown exit door in IPL 2021 as per InsideSport assumption:
Kedar Jadhav: Kedar was in terrible form in IPL 2020 and because of that he was even left out of the team for a couple of games. In 8 matches, Jadhav scored 62 runs at 20.66 and at a dismal strike-rate of 93.93 with a best of 26. Not to forget his inexplicable intent in the run-chase versus Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he could only muster seven off 12 balls.
Kedar is already 36 years old and CSK will be keen to get rid of him ahead of IPL 2021.
Imran Tahir: Imagine being the leading wicket-taker of the last season and you still have to warm the bench. Well! That has been the case with the South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir. The 2019 IPL’s Purple Cap winner with 26 wickets, Tahir played just three games and picked a wicket.
Moreover, he is the oldest member of Dad’s army in the CSK’s side and by the time IPL 2021 arrives, Tahir will be 42 years old. Hence, it is safe to say that the leggie is certain to be dropped by CSK.
Shane Watson: Shane Watson announced his retirement from all forms of the game during IPL 2020, hence it is confirmed that he won’t be the part of CSK in IPL 2021.
Other players who will be shown exit door: Narayan Jagadeesan, M Vijay, Harbhajan Singh, Monu Kumar