CSK suspension: 5 players other teams would love to have

The Lodha Committee has delivered its judgment recommending BCCI to terminate the two franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, although a slight confusion still prevails. Only BCCI can take that action given it is out of the disciplinary committee’s ambit.While the court encourages termination, it is up to the BCCI to take the call. In such a scenario, future of the players belonging to these two franchises remains in doubt. Given Chennai Super Kings is the most successful IPL team performing well in every edition all eyes are on the BCCI. The IPL powerhouse also has some real high-value players who everyone would hope to find in the auction pool.We take a quick look at 5 CSK players everyone wants to see in the auction pool if such a scenario arises. These are players who have all contributed in more ways than one, instrumental in making CSK a team capable of playing the high-pressure games well and always coming back strongly!

#5 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin is India’s number 1 spinner across all formats

Ravichandran Ashwin made a name for himself in the IPL as Dhoni’s favourite go-to bowler over the years. The man who played just two games in 2009, his debut season before springing to limelight had his best season in 2011 when he picked 20 wickets at 19.4 with an unbelievable economy of 6.15.

Now with more confidence on his off-spinner and a repertoire of other sparingly used mystery balls, Ashwin who popularised the carrom ball in India and also sometimes bowls seam up arm balls, got only 10 wickets in the 2015 IPL but was still crucial for CSK thanks to his economy rate of 5.84.

2014 was the only year when Ashwin had a 7+ economy rate with his overall being 6.45 having taken 90 wickets in 97 games. A handy No.8 batsman, Ashwin is also reputed for his cricketing nous and constant improvements.

#4 Brendon McCullum

Who wouldn’t want to secure this man’s services?

The man who started IPL with a bang, smashing Royal Challengers Bangalore for his maiden 150 in the first ever IPL game, reinvented himself at the top of the order for Chennai Super Kings.

Skipper of the most popular ODI team in the world right now, finalists at World Cup and purveyors of an attractive brand of cricket, McCullum is a huge crowd favourite. Whether it is his leaps at the boundary or his dives inside the circle McCullum is one of the players who always puts his body on line.

The blazing opener had two good seasons for CSK, scoring 405 in 2014 at 31.15 and then 436 in 14 games at 29.29 and a strike-rate of 155 including a century and two half-centuries. McCullum is part of a select group of players who have more than 2000 runs in the IPL along with 90 sixes in just 76 matches.

#3 Dwayne Bravo

Bravo has improved immensely over the years

Bravo is probably one of IPL’s best all-rounders and one of Dhoni’s main wicket-takers bowling at the death. In three years, he has picked up the Purple Cap twice with 32 wickets in 2013 and then 26 in 2015. He has 105 wickets in 91 matches at a measly average of 21.5 to go with his 1163 runs at 24.74 and a strike-rate of close to 127.

His role as a finisher can be justified by the fact that he has 23 not-outs. He was probably the best all-round player of the tournament in 2012 when he piled on 371 runs at 46.3 and picked 15 wickets. CSK lost to Kolkata Knight Riders that season but that cannot take away anything from Bravo’s contributions.

The man who missed out in 2014 is one of the most sought-after bowlers in his own right, with a great variety of deliveries in his quiver to be used when the batsmen are on a rampage. His aggressive style of play also helps him get quick runs for CSK in counter-attacks and in slog overs.

#2 Suresh Raina

No player has scored more runs in IPL history than this man

Like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina too has never played for any other team. He has been a part of all the 132 matches that CSK has played. To add to that stunning record is the fact that he was the only player to have scored at least 400 runs in the first seven editions of the IPL missing out narrowly in 2015, having scored 374 runs.

Overall, the prolific run-getter for CSK has 3699 runs at 34.25 with a strike rate of close to 140 and 20 not-outs. Raina apart from a ton has 25 half-centuries. In 2013 and 2014, Raina managed more than 500 runs with an average over 40 both times. But his best year in terms of average was 2010 when he scored 530 at 47.27 playing a crucial role in CSK lifting its maiden IPL trophy.

An electric fielder and slip-catcher, Raina has 74 catches to his credit to go along with his 321 fours and 150 sixes making the swashbuckling left-hander one of Dhoni’s best soldiers in the most crucial games. With a big match temperament, he has invariably scored big in all the knock-out matches making him a high-value player. He also has a golden arm having taken 24 wickets, turning his arm over to give Dhoni a few quick, valuable overs when one of the bowlers has had a bad day.

#1 MS Dhoni

He would break the auction record

Probably, IPL’s MVP, MS Dhoni is worth his weight in gold for more than what he does with the bat, with the gloves or with bat and wicket-keeping gloves together. Adopted by the denizens of Chennai as one of their own, Dhoni, the skipper has led his IPL team to eight consecutive Top 4 finishes with two titles, four runners-up medals and a Champions League Trophy.

Dhoni has 2987 runs in 129 games, 40 of which saw him remain unbeaten, a massive percentage. Apart from a stellar average of 39.3 and a strike-rate of 139, Dhoni has had three excellent seasons, scoring 461, 371 and 372 respectively in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with the 2013 edition witnessing him score four half-centuries.

His worst average is still a respectable 29.83 in 2012 when he scored 358 runs at a strike rate of close to 129. Apart from 15 half-centuries, Dhoni also has 81 dismissals behind the wicket.