IPL auctions 2018: Chennai Super Kings can address crucial team roles with these 5 overseas players

The Indian Premier League has completed a decade and will enter into its second decade which is expected to be full of excitement like the first one. The IPL auction will take place on 27 and 28 January at Bangalore where teams will look to rebuild after retaining a maximum of three players. The Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja. Here are five overseas players CSK might target in the upcoming auction.

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#5 Joe Root (England)

Joe Root will enter the IPL auction for the first time ever

This is the first time that England's test skipper Joe Root has given his name for the auction. Last year, he withdrew his name from the auction due to the birth of his baby. Joe Root might well be the perfect middle order batsman that the men in yellow need.

Root can be handy with his off-spin at times. His ability to score against the spinners is a plus point for franchises as he'll keep the scoreboard moving against the spinners in the middle overs. The Super Kings should look to procure him as he will be a handy option in the subcontinent conditions.

#4 Evin Lewis (West Indies)

Evin Lewis is an explosive opening batsman

The franchise has always preferred aggressive openers at the top of the order. Evin Lewis is a player who could turn the game around. Lewis is said to be the second coming of Chris Gayle. The left-handed batsman can anchor the innings and can play the aggressor's role too.

The 26-year-old had a wonderful year scoring heaps of runs in T20 leagues and limited overs cricket. The highlight of the year was his ton against India where he won the game for the West Indies single-handedly. Lewis can tackle the spinners easily and his ability to score freely against the spinners will be beneficial on the rank turners at Chepauk.

#3 Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan had a stellar showing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL last year

Recipient of the Associate Cricketer of the Year award, Rashid Khan has been majestic in the last two years. The wrist spinner has contributed immensely to Afghanistan's recent success. He was procured by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous edition of the tournament where he performed brilliantly by taking 17 wickets in 14 games.

Currently playing for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, Rashid has been economical in the league and has picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs. He can be a nightmare for batsmen on turning tracks in India bowling along with Ravindra Jadeja.

#2 Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

Dwayne Bravo has been a crucial player for CSK over the years

Dwayne Bravo has been a fine performer for the Chennai Super Kings over the years. He has been phenomenal with both bat and ball for the franchise. Bravo can handle the death overs. The all-rounder recently became the first bowler to take 400 wickets in T20 cricket.

He is currently captaining the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. Bravo has played many crucial knocks down the order and closed out several games with the ball for the yellow outfit. Chennai Super Kings should use the right to match card on the valuable all-rounder.

#1 Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Faf du Plessis is a highly versatile player who can play at any position

Faf can be a perfect choice to play the role of a middle-order batsman. The right-hand batsman is one of the finest strikers of the cricket ball. Du Plessis' fielding ability is an added advantage for teams. Even if he doesn't score runs, he'll save enough for the team.

The South African can be used a floating batsman - he can open the innings and can bat in the middle order as well. Faf du Plessis has played for the franchise in the past and can be a match winner for them. The right-handed batsman averages 30.12 with a handy strike rate of 127.96 in the Indian Premier League.