IPL Auction Strategy for CSK, 5 Players Chennai Super Kings can Target

As they say, most champion T20 teams are made even before the first ball of the competition is bowled. And who would know that better than three times IPL champions – Chennai Super Kings. After the releases, CSK have a total of 7 spots available before IPL 2021 Auction in Chennai and out of those, only one overseas import they can buy this year. They will be gunning for an explosive top order batsman and a couple of all-rounders in the middle order. We will go through some of the players that Chennai Super Kings can target in the upcoming auction.

Dawid Malan

A late bloomer in his International career – Dawid Malan has cracked T20 International cricket in last year or so in some style. He is currently number one T20I batsman in the world and has cemented his place in the national side. He also plays spin decently which would come in handy while playing IPL, especially at Chepauk. Apart from this, a left-handed option in top 3 will also be useful when it comes to match-ups in T20 cricket.

Alex Hales

Another Englishman who has been in red hot form is Alex Hales. Playing for Sydney Thunder, he has had a terrific BBL this year down under. Although he has played IPL cricket before with Sunrisers Hyderabad but this might be the year when he finally writes his name in IPL folklore. He can be a perfect replacement for retired Shane Watson at top of the order for Chennai Super Kings this year. His ability to play long innings in this form of the game will always be tempting when his name goes under the hammer on the 18^th. Also, Alex Hales will have a point or two to prove to the English team management that might get the best out of him.

Read: 5 Players that RCB can Target

Steve Smith

Although Chennai Super Kings need a high-profile top order option but they have a limited purse of INR 22.9 Cr remaining for this auction. So if they don’t get big ticket players due to their budget, there are chances that they might go for Steve Smith. Slightly limited in power-hitting game but Steve Smith showed everyone in limited overs leg during India’s tour of Australia that he can still make brisk scores. Another advantage with him is that he can stitch together the whole batting lineup for CSK which will often be the case at Chepauk. In 95 IPL matches, he has a SR of 129.25 at an average of 35.34 – which still makes a decent set of numbers with all those experience at the highest level.

Glenn Maxwell

After a horrific season last year in UAE, Kings XI Punjab released Glenn Maxwell before this year’s IPL Auction 2021. Eternally an under-performer in IPL after that 2014 season, Glenn Maxwell still carries a high degree of reputation due to his International heroics more often. After going back to Australia after the IPL last year, he has had a magnificent series against India. He has also led Melbourne Stars with some attacking knocks in this year’s BBL. Hence, Glenn Maxwell is perfectly suitable to CSK’s plans to play as an enforcer in the middle order in IPL 2021.

Read: Team-wise IPL 2021 Auction Strategies 

Chris Morris

An area that Chennai Super Kings are desperately searching for the answers is all-rounders. Chris Morris comes in as a surprise candidate for this year’s auction after being released by Royal Challengers Bangalore. This South African all-rounder has plenty of experience in IPL with more than just one franchise. He can take the new ball, can bowl death overs and can also add some handy runs down the order in T20 cricket. He has an IPL career SR of 157.87 with the bat and has taken 80 scalps from 70 matches with an Economy rate of 7.81 RPO. A perfect package to have for Chennai Super Kings.