IPL Auctions 2018: Banking on nostalgia, CSK pick senior players to build experienced unit

Along with Mumbai Indians, Chennai SuperKings is the most successful unit in IPL history. The reason for success is them replicating their core team year after year, with minor changes here and there. 

CSK back in IPL after a two-year hiatus have pretty much followed the same path in IPL 11 auction. After a decent day 1, CSK had a strong day 2 on the auction table getting many valued players often for a reasonable price. In the end, it had over Rs 6 crore left in the kitty despite picking maximum possible 25 players. 

On Day 2, CSK focussed on getting back-up players for their top buys. Hence a Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Santner, Vijay etc were included in the line-up. Overall, CSK is full of players with unquestionable talent and proven track record. However, T-20 is called a young people's game. Most of CSK's top stars are above 30. Will it somehow impact the Yellow Army’s march, considering the tournament is played in a hectic manner in the summer of April and March. Probably anticipating that, CSK has got its back-up players ready. 

Dear Super Fans, thank you for all the patience, prayers, roars and whistles in the past two days! Just like all our matches, it was a nail-biting finish. Presenting the #PrideOf18. Here's wishing them a roaring summer ahead! #NewTeamSamePride #WhistlePodu #SummerIsComing pic.twitter.com/zqTXa3ZFTm

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 28, 2018

CSK has batting firepower with Dhoni, Jadeja, Faf, Bravo, Raina, Watson, Rayadu, Jadhav and Faf in the mix. Many of them are CSK veterans. The bowling too looks pretty impressive with CSK boasting of high-calibre players like Bhajji, Karn Sharma, Mark Wood, Tahir, Ngidi. It's a shame that only 4 foreign players can be played in the IPL.

 It means many of these quality foreigners will be warming the bench.  CSK also has some good uncapped young talents in likes of Dhruv Shorey, Kanish Sheth, Asif KM etc… though it's a stretch to think they will get many games in such a star-studded team. Deepak Chahal who had a stellar Mushtaq Ali Trophy is also with the yellow unit. 

Overall, CSK certainly has built a team which will be a title contender. With Dhoni at helm, only a massive catastrophe can stop CSK from reaching the top 4. Even after letting go crowd favourite Ashwin, CSK fans are unlikely to complain much. 

Strength: High impact players with good possible backups

Weakness: Many of the superstars are above 30. 

Auction Rating: 9/10

Full team:

Kedar Jadhav All-Rounder

 

Dwayne Bravo All-Rounder (RTM)

 

Karn Sharma Bowler

 

Shane Watson All-Rounder

 

Shardul Narendra Thakur Bowler

 

Ambati Rayudu Wicket Keeper

 

Murali Vijay Batsman

 

Harbhajan Singh Bowler

 

Faf Du Plessis Batsman (RTM)

 

Mark Wood Bowler

 

Sam Billings Wicket Keeper

 

Imran Tahir Bowler

 

Deepak Chahar All-Rounder

 

Mitchell Santner All-Rounder

 

Lungisani Ngidi Bowler

 

Asif K M Bowler

 

N Jagadeesan Wicket Keeper

 

Kanishk Seth All-Rounder

 

Monu Singh Bowler

 

Dhruv Shorey All-Rounder

 

Kshitiz Sharma All-Rounder

 

Chaitanya Bishnoi All-Rounder

 

Suresh Raina (R)

 

MS Dhoni (R)

 

Ravindra Jadeja (R)