IPL 2018: 3 players that Chennai Super Kings should retain

According to reports from the Times of India, the BCCI is likely to continue with its retention policy for the Indian Premier League season next year. However, the final decision on the number of players retained will be taken only on the 21st of this month.

Chennai Super Kings are returning to this year's IPL after a two-year ban. They will get an option to retain players from their 2015 IPL squad. A lot of things have changed since they last played in the IPL. Dhoni has retired from Test cricket, he is no more the captain of India's limited-overs side and Suresh Raina, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are not a part of the Indian T20 team anymore.

The CSK team management would love to have their core team back. However, as per reports, they will be getting an option of retaining a maximum of only three players. Here are the three players that CSK should retain in the next edition of the IPL.

#1 MS Dhoni, India

The CSK management would love to retain Dhoni because of his out-of-the-world fan support in Tamil Nadu. Also, CSK need a leader to rebuild their destroyed empire and there is no one better than MSD to do this job.

Dhoni got a Sachin-esque ovation from the capacity crowd at Chepauk when he came out to bat during the first ODI against Australia in Chennai last month. Banners like 'The South Remembers' during the match would have given additional confidence to the CSK management.

Dhoni is IPL's most successful captain. Under his captaincy, CSK won two IPL trophies and two Champions League trophies. While Dhoni's T20 form is a cause for concern, the management would happily take a risk and invest in him.

#2 Faf du Plessis, South Africa

Du Plessis is a must-have in any T20 side

Du Plessis is the captain of the South African Cricket team in all three formats. He has developed into one of the best players in T20Is and currently holds the 12th position in the ICC T20 Players Ranking. He is one of the smartest cricketers on the field and CSK would love to have him as the deputy to MS Dhoni.

The Chennai-based franchise should look to groom him as Dhoni's successor as the latter is nearing his retirement age.

Du Plessis is a flexible batsman, quite adept at playing spin. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK's home ground, a sound technique against spin bowling is of utmost importance. There are very few foreign players who are better than du Plessis in playing spin.

The other options including Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum have passed their prime hence investing in the South African will be of utmost importance.

#3 Suresh Raina, India

Raina is the highest run-getter in IPL history

Suresh Raina played a pivotal role in CSK's consistent success in the IPL. He is the highest run-getter in the IPL, having scored a staggering 4540 runs at a strike-rate of 139 from 157 innings. It is no exaggeration to say that Raina is a better IPL batsman than Virat Kohli. Chennai Super Kings can give him his favourite one-down slot which suits his batting.

He is just 30 years old and a fantastic athlete. Raina still has three to four good years in him and, like Dhoni, is adored by the CSK fans. He is also a handy off-spinner and an awesome fielder and it would be a huge mistake if the CSK management were to let him go.