IPL 2018: 5 players Chennai Super Kings should definitely buy at auction

Chennai Super Kings will focus on the team balance in the upcoming auction.

Chennai Super Kings | GETTY

Chennai Super Kings are coming back to the Indian Premier League after 2 long years. Their return will add life to the tournament considering they are among the top teams of IPL.

The reason their rejoining is much awaited is that CSK was contemplated as one of the most balanced sides. No wonder the Super Kings have managed to keep their winning percentage in all the seasons above 50%. That also makes them the most consistent IPL team.

With the mega-auction approaching, Chennai will be looking to get their core players back. They have already got the 'thalaiva' MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

"Big Spenders" by reputation, Super Kings have a wide option to place their bid at. Chennai has 47 crores in their pocket and 2 RTM options left which can only be used on foreign players. So which players are must buy for the yellow brigade?

We will be looking at 5 players who can blow the whistle loud for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2018: 

Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo | AFP

Dwayne Bravo is a good buy for Chennai Super Kings. The all-rounder has served the franchise in last few seasons and the return has been fantastic. Talking about his recent form there should be no double thoughts in CSK management to go for the Caribbean.

During 2017, In 23 T20 innings, the star all-rounder has picked 36 wickets with an average of 19.02. This also includes a 3-wicket and a 5-wicket haul.

What the stats won't show is his ability on the field. The pacer has expertise in bowling slower deliveries. He unveils it at the right time which adds variety to his bowling.

He has leaned himself more towards bowling lately, but his ability to strike the ball far can't be ignored. It comes handy to give depth to the batting. In the last couple of years, he has scored over 1000 runs in T20 cricket. That features a score of 66 not out in it. Addition to it, he has hit 66 fours and 47 big sixes backing him.

Jaydev Unadkat

Jaydev Unadkat | AFP

High chances are that the Saurashtra bowler will have a lot of franchises running after him. He had an impactful IPL 2017 with the ball and played a pivotal role in Rising Pune Supergiants' road to final.

If Chennai Super Kings manages to get Unadkat, it will definitely strengthen their squad. The speedster has a quality of improvising himself as per the situation. His recent form got him a place in the Indian T20I squad against Sri Lanka lately.

Talking about his performance in the year 2017, Jaydev has bagged 33 wickets in just 19 innings with a praiseworthy economy of 7.40. He has got an average of 15.81. What impressive is in this span of time Unadkat has also managed to bowl 3 maidens.

Unadkat is currently leading Saurashtra in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy. As per his reputation, he has managed to keep his economy toned; which is 6.46 in four innings. 

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar | GETTY

The young and promising bowling all-rounder is the new find in Indian cricket. MS Dhoni has watched him closely and there is high chance that the Chennai franchise may prefer him ahead of R Ashwin, who missed the last IPL and hasn't played T20 cricket for long. His base price may be less but looking at his skills, he is also in eyes of franchises.

Last year's IPL gave him recognition. Sundar could only manage 8 wickets in the 10 innings, but the youngster succeded in keeping opposition silent. He averages 23.12 and his economy reads 6.16 after his maiden IPL session.

He has played an important role in Rising Pune Supergiants's Qualifier 1 victory against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. He had finished with 3/16 that got him a Man of the Match. The right-arm spinner had then said he owed his success to former captain MS Dhoni.

Washington also got to make his debut for in December 2017 against Sri Lanka.

Dhoni knows to use his spinners well. The Tamil Nadu cricketer may replace Ashwin in CSK and if manages to impress early in the tournament, soon we will see him turning into MSD's go-to bowler, especially in powerplays. 

His batting cannot be ignored despite not having a highlighting stats, Sundar can be ready to hand with the bat too. He is batting at the opening spot in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018. What's worth noting is that the all-rounder has got a couple of 30s in his account.

Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye | GETTY

This is a golden opportunity for Super Kings to get a superior fast bowler. Getting him will be easy for them using Right To Match (RTM), as Tye was a part of CSK squad back in 2015.

In the last IPL, playing for Gujarat Lions, he picked up 12 wickets with an eye-catching economy of 6.71 supported by an Average of 11.75. If you look at his whole year of 2017, the Australian pacer has picked 34 wickets in just 20 innings. Economy again very impressive of just 7.49 and average 15.64.

What makes him among the most demanded players in the upcoming season is his performance in the on-going Big Bash League. The pacer has picked up 16 wickets in just 6 matches playing for Perth Scorchers.

His five-for against Melbourne Stars had ensured his team defended a target of 142 runs and his 4-wicket haul included a hat-trick.

Tye has an ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs which is very crucial in the shorter format. If CSK gets him in the team, that will surely fortify the pace attack. Chennai earlier had Ben Hilfenhaus after Doug Bollinger for their bowling contingent. There is high chance they might pick up Tye to lead the bowling unit.

Brendon Mccullum

Brendon Mccullum | IANS

Every side needs to have a power hitter for the first six overs who can just completely shift the momentum towards its team. Mccullum is that kind of the batsman. With experience and high-level of fielding display, he is a complete player Chennai can go for. Age has not affected his performance and he is still hitting those long sixes and showing athleticism on the field.

Chennai also has an option to use RTM with Mccullum in the auction. CSK is going to its core and considering it, they can go after him.

Baz had a sound strike rate in 2017. The former Kiwi cricketer scored 1518 runs with a strike rate of 142.13. What comes handy for his team is his ability to get boundaries. He has smashed 141 fours and 64 sixes in the same year. 

It can assist the team to get a flying start in the powerplay which works as a push especially while chasing a big target.

The New Zealand cricketer also doesn't throw away his wicket without a price tag despite having a reputation of scoring quickly. Mccullum has got 11 half-centuries last year shows he can stretch his innings too once settled.

With Suresh Raina in the top, Mccullum's entry can give a good shape to the batting order.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 13 Jan, 2018

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