Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Gautam Gambhir believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) needs to find a replacement for aging all-rounder Dwayne Bravo in the upcoming IPL 2021 auction to be held in Chennai on February 18 for the forthcoming season.
Gambhir pointed out that the West Indian all-rounder Bravo is no more the same player that he used to be and CSK must find a replacement for the veteran at the mini IPL auction on Thursday.
However, the former KKR captain doesn’t think CSK and captain MS Dhoni will make “too many changes” since there aren’t many gaps to fill for the three-time IPL champions.
Shane Watson announced retirement from all forms of cricket after IPL 2020, and Gambhir believes that CSK needs to have a replacement straightaway for him, saying the franchise might look for an off-spinner in the IPL auction with an eye also on an all-rounder.
CSK did not qualify for the play-offs in IPL 2020 for the first time in the IPL history but Gambhir believes that the franchise “still has a strong core” and strong batting line-up with Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, - traded from Rajasthan Royals, Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni himself at the side.
Gambhir said on Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’: “Not many (gaps to fill). Despite having not the best season last time around, I think, they still have a strong core. But they need to have a replacement straightaway for Shane Watson because obviously, that is one area. Plus, they didn’t have Suresh Raina last time around. So, Suresh Raina will be available.”
With the IPL 2021 will be back in India, a former batsman noted: “That’s Chepauk where it’s going to start spinning and gripping. That’s how MS plays his cricket over such a long period of time whenever he has captained CSK.
So he might look at an off-spinner because Harbhajan has been released, Shane Watson, and probably another all-rounder or a backup for someone like Dwayne Bravo, because probably age is catching up on him as well.”
Gambhir continued, “He’s (Dwayne) not the same what he used to be. So, probably there could be an all-rounder and plus an overseas batter because there are two overseas batters normally who open for CSK. There are not going to be too many changes, to be honest. After this season, there’s going to be a bigger auction. So, I don’t think CSK will have an overall revamp.”
He also said Raina’s return will add strength to the CSK squad for the IPL 2021.
The former cricketer further added, “This time around, Suresh Raina coming back will be a huge boost for CSK because he plays T20 cricket really well and he’s done a lot of good things for CSK. At the same time, they will have new players coming in, whether it’s a replacement for Shane Watson or probably an off-spinner or an all-rounder.
So, when new players come in, obviously they will bring new ideas, they bring new energy as well. I am sure those are the areas CSK will be looking for.”
Gambhir signed off by saying, “With the experience of Raina, Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, and MS Dhoni, they have got a strong Indian batting line-up. Their core is still intact. They have got Ravindra Jadeja, they’ve got Dwayne Bravo who has been there for such a long time.
So probably, they will look at someone like K Gowtham as an off-spinner because they have let go of Harbhajan Singh. And a back-up of Bravo, because MS believes a lot in all-rounders with the kind of surface they play on.”
(With PTI Inputs)
