5 players CSK could target in the IPL auction

The Chennai Super Kings are one of the most consistent and dominant teams not just in the IPL but across the franchise cricket in the entire the world. They have won the IPL tournament a record three times, the joint-most with the Mumbai Indians and have featured in the playoffs every time they have played the IPL and has the most wins in IPL history.

The franchise has a history of retaining their core players and doesn't like chopping and changing and this time is no different. CSK released only three players ahead of the IPL 2019 auctions, letting go of English pacer Mark Wood and uncapped Indian duo of Kanishk Seth and Kshitiz Sharma.

Players retained: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, M Vijay, Shane Watson, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, David Willey, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Lungi Ngidi, Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Sam Billings, Imran Tahir, Shardul Thakur, Monu Kumar, Chaitanya Bishnoi. Karn Sharma, Dhruv Shorey, N Jagadeesan.

This means they can buy just two Indian players and have a salary cap of 10.4 crores. They are a team who can go all guns for a particular player.

Here is the list of possible players that CSK can target in 2019 auctions.

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#5 Rajneesh Gurbani

Rajneesh Gurbani

Gurbani was a star in the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 season where he took the tournament by storm with his sensational performances for Vidarbha. His hat-trick against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy last season earned him praise from all the quarters still, he went unsold in the IPL 2018 auctions.

However, the story can be different this time around as CSK who have only a few domestic pace options in Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and KM Asif would look to pick someone like Gurbani who can swing the ball both ways.

Dhoni always likes to invest in Indian pacers and the majority of those who have played under him in the CSK have gone on to represent the national team.

#4 Jaydev Unadkat

Can we see this sight again?

Unadkat was the most expensive Indian in the auctions last year as he bagged a whopping Rs 11.50 crore from Rajasthan Royals. However, the pacer failed to live up to the expectations and came up with ordinary performances throughout the season.

He could only manage to pick 11 wickets in 15 games with best figures of 3/46 for the Royals. He was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2019 auctions and has set his base price at Rs 1.5 crore.

Given his abilities to hit the deck hard and bowl consistently at the desired length, he might just be the perfect pick for CSK. The left-hander had his breakthrough season in the IPL for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 with MS Dhoni behind the stumps and would hope he gets another opportunity to share the dressing room with the former Indian captain, who has revived careers of several bowlers in the IPL.

#3 Yuvraj Singh

Can we Yuvi play for CSK

This IPL can bring back the iconic trio of Indian cricket- Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. With the CSK having almost 10 crores in the pocket and only two slots available, they can even go after Yuvi.

Yuvraj Singh made his homecoming in the previous season of Indian Premier League (IPL) as he was bought by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the auction. KXIP was the only franchise to bid for him and he was sold at his base price of Rs 2 Crore. His comeback to his former IPL franchise, though, was a forgettable one as he could just manage to score 65 runs in eight games that he played.

Yuvraj has set this base price to 1 crore for the upcoming auction. With his value diminished significantly, he might a useful buy for CSK at a lower price. His value to the team would be immense in crunch situations and play a role of a perfect all-rounder along with Jaddu.

#2 Mohit Sharma

Will he don the yellows again?

Mohit Sharma was once a vital cog in CSK bowling lineup. He was used as a death bowler for the team by Dhoni along with Bravo.

Mohit Sharma actually flourished under MS Dhoni's captaincy during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He picked up 23 wickets in 15 games for Chennai Super Kings in his first season with the franchise and was equally successful in the subsequent seasons and played for the Punjab team but without the same success, that he got with the CSK.

He also made his international debut in August 2013 against Zimbabwe but could only manage 26 ODI outings, failing to cement his spot in the national side. With significant IPL experience under his belt, CSK won't mind roping back in their former star.

With only Indian slots available, CSK can opt to bolster the bowling attack by having Mohit again in the ranks.

#1 Mohammed Shami

He has not played much in the IPL.

When Shami first arrived at the international scene, he was considered more in the limited-overs format. But, as the time went on, he became too injury prone and was confined to play only Test matches for India while his participation in the ODIs and T20s was sporadic.

This has affected his IPL career too as despite being one of the best fast bowlers in the country currently, he has not done much in the extravaganza known as the IPL. He was released by the Delhi Daredevils ahead of the auctions and will be a bowler whom many of the franchises will be eyeing.

CSK can look to buy Shami since he could add variety with the new ball and combine again with Bravo at the death. He is in the best shape of his career and in great form of late. He could be a real asset to the team in the long tournament.