Of the 10 teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will have one of the largest budgets going towards the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 player auction. CSK discharged eight players in total before the IPL retention deadline, freeing up a whopping INR 32.1 crores.
The five-time winners will try to fill the void left by their squad’s absence of a top-notch speed all-rounder by bringing in someone who can give their lineup more balance during the auction. They will consider spending their pocketbook in other areas as well.
5 players that CSK should target in IPL 2024 Auction
5) Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee (Source: Twitter)
In 2023, Gerald Coetzee has accomplished a lot. He had a breakthrough World Cup season, taking 20 wickets. As an enforcer, the 23-year-old speedster’s talents are in picking up serious pace in the middle overs, but he also has a sneaky slower one. Coetzee should be considered because CSK doesn’t really have that tearaway fast in their lineup, especially as a long-term solution.
4) Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc (Source: Twitter)
In addition to having a left-arm seamer in their starting XI, CSK’s fast-bowling unit may need another elite option. This CSK bowling arsenal is strong because Starc checks all the boxes and can perhaps pair Deepak Chahar with the fresh ball before finishing it off with Pathirana at the end. CSK may have the funds to fully pay for Starc’s skills and bring him into the team, thus providing them with an advantage that might help them defend their title.
3) Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga (Source: Twitter)
One of the well-known names unveiled in advance of the auction was Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. He could be the perfect candidate to include CSK. With 35 wickets in 26 games, Hasaranga has already demonstrated his ability to perform in the IPL and could be very effective for a team like CSK. Their squad already possess two players from Sri Lanka so Hasaranga would fit into the team easily.
2) Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra (Source: Twitter)
Rachin Ravindra is another player that CSK is keeping an eye on. This is after his impressive performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 captured everyone’s interest. Before turning 25, Ravindra broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most runs during a single World Cup campaign and registered three centuries to his name. His ability to score runs in the top order, together with his sporadic left-arm spin, makes him a potent threat to CSK’s lineup. He can be one of the long-term overseas prospects for CSK.
1) Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur (Source: Twitter)
Sharduk Thakur may be returning home in the IPL 2024, as CSK may bid for the former player during the auction following KKR’s release of the India fast all-rounder. Shardul had his greatest IPL season with the five-time winners, CSK, and was a part of their championship winning teams in 2018 and 2021. Although Shardu has had difficulty in the past several seasons, his move back to CSK should lead to an improvement in the all-rounder’s performance.
