IPL Auction 2019: 3 players who could replace Mark Wood at CSK

Ahead of the 2019 IPL player auction to be held next month, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have released England fast bowler Mark Wood and two other uncapped players, Kanish Seth and Kshitiz Sharma.

Mark Wood played in the opening IPL match of the 2018 season against Mumbai Indians. He had a good start to IPL when his first 2 overs went for just 13 runs. However, his third and fourth over went for 17 runs apiece as the Pandya brothers took him apart. In the end, Mark Wood finished with expensive bowling figures of 4 overs for 49 runs without a wicket. He was not considered for the playing XI thereafter.

The release of Mark Wood has left CSK with an extra purse of 1.5 crores and a foreign player quota to fill in. As such, CSK have two overseas fast bowlers, England’s David Willey and South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi. Besides, they do have the seam-bowling all-rounders Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo.

The CSK management is smart enough to retain the other spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner who missed the last IPL due to injury. Traditionally, the CSK management believes in continuing with tried and tested players. That has been reflected in their action to retain 22 existing players.

In this article, let us analyse the possibilities of 3 better players whom CSK would love to have a look-in in the IPL auctions 2019.

#1 Oshane Thomas of West Indies

Oshane Thomas - Living up to the reputation of fast bowlers from the Caribbean

Oshane Thomas made his ODI and T20I debut against India in the recently concluded series. Though he was expensive, he displayed his ability to bowl fast and furious with the new ball. He is one bowler who could bowl at a consistent pace of around 145 kph in his short bursts in T20 matches.

He took Shikhar Dhawan's wicket on 3 occasions in the ODI and T20 series and on all those 3 occasions, Dhawan was beaten for pace and was bowled neck and crop.

In the present CSK squad, apart from Lungi Ngidi, there is no other express fast bowler who could unsettle the opposition batsmen with his pace. There is a possibility that IPL 2019 might be held in South Africa, in which case, Oshane Thomas would be an ideal opening bowler along with Lungi Ngidi, to exploit the favourable conditions.

Though Oshane Thomas is inexperienced at the international level, he has played 17 T20 matches in CPL and has taken 26 wickets. The inclusion of Thomas in the CSK set up would be for the mutual benefit for both.

#2 Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand

Locke Ferguson with his extra pace could be the x-factor for CSK if selected

Lockie Ferguson played for Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017. He went unsold in 2018.

Both Oshane Thomas and Lockie Ferguson have a lot of similarities. Both are out and out fast bowlers who are most effective in short spells. Both are inexperienced at the international level, though Ferguson has played in 19 ODIs for New Zealand.

In the recent ODI against Pakistan at Dubai, Ferguson took a five-wicket haul including the wickets of top-order batsmen Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail and Asif Ali. Ferguson surprised the Pakistani batsmen with his full and straight deliveries and short-pitched stuff bowled at an enormous pace. One such bouncer hit the grille of Imam-ul-Haq’s helmet in an earlier match at Abu Dhabi which forced the batsman to retire.

Since Lockie Ferguson has already played for Rising Super Giant along with M.S. Dhoni under the supervision of Head Coach Stephen Fleming, he would feel at home, if selected by CSK.

With his extra pace, he might be the X-factor that CSK would be looking for in their team composition.

#3 Sam Curran of England

Sam Curran - The most sought-after player in IPL auction 2019

Sam Curran would be the most sought-after all-rounder in IPL 2019 players auction. Curran made his debut against India in the last English summer. Since his debut, he has impressed one and all with his all-round performances in Test matches and ODIs. In the Test series between India and England, Sam Curran was the difference between the two teams.

All franchisees will have an eye on Sam Curran and they would all love to have a piece of Sam Curran. He could be a costly buy like his countryman Ben Stokes. CSK have got about 8.5 crores left in the kitty to go for Sam Curran.

Judging by CSK’s level-headed approach in the last few IPL auctions, they might not go on a spending spree to acquire Sam Curran. But at the same time, they understand the value of a player like Curran and they wouldn’t want to let him go easily to the other franchises.

Curran would be a wonderful value addition to the champion team CSK. In the long run, he could be looked upon as a replacement for the ageing all-rounders Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to note that Sam Curran is yet to play an international T20 match.

For the IPL 2019, the availability of some of the top players is in doubt due to the World Cup in England. However, CSK is blessed in that respect since they will have experienced players like Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, Murali Vijay, Karn Sharma and Harbhajan Singh who will have no problem in making themselves available for the entire tournament. In all probability, Suresh Raina too might join that list.