IPL 2018: 5 players who could replace Mitchell Santner for CSK

Just as the preparations for IPL are about to begin the Chennai Super Kings have been dealt with a massive blow. Santner who was expected to play a crucial role for the CSK on the turning pitches in Chennai has been injured. He is a bowling all-rounder who was recently seen in the ODI series, playing for New Zealand. He is someone who can come in and whack the ball from the word go. He is also someone who bowls economic spells with the bowl and picks up wickets at the same time. He can also bowl with the new ball.

CSK will definitely miss his services but they do have other options to choose from in the unsold list of players. Here's a look at 5 players who could replace Santner for the upcoming edition of IPL.

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#5 Josh Hazlewood

Josh is one of the best bowlers in the world at present

Josh Hazlewood is perhaps unlucky to be on the same team as Mitchell Starc. Hazlewood might have been the leader of the bowling pack in any country other than Australia. His efforts often go unnoticed due Starc's presence in the team. When Hazlewood remained unsold in the IPL auction this year, it shocked quite a few people. After all, he is one of the best bowlers in the world.

Maybe, it was due to his inexperience in the shortest version of the game as he has only played 30 T20's in his career. He has picked up 37 wickets in his T20 career at an average of 24. He has an economy of 7.77 which is very good for a bowler who bowls in the power play and at the death.

He was part of Mumbai Indians in 2015 but he didn't get a lot of opportunities over there. As CSK doesn't have an overseas fast bowler who has played in India, Hazzlewood might be given a chance by the CSK management.

#4 Sikandar Raza

Raza is an effective all-rounder

Now people might wonder as to why have I even thought about Sikandar Raza. Sikandar Raza plays for Zimbabwe and he is definitely one of the most talented players to have played for Zimbabwe. Raza started of as a top order batsman who could bowl a bit but now he plays as proper all-rounder in the team. He is an aggressive batsman who can bat anywhere in the batting order. He can bowl a few tight overs with the bowl and also chip in with a wicket.

He has bowled 51 times in T20 cricket and picked up 27 wickets. His economy is only 7.37 which shows that he doesn't give away easy runs. Although his T20 records aren't great, he is very effective with the bowl. His batting statistics are pretty good. He has an average of 25 and an acceptable strike rate of 129.

He also has experience of playing in the subcontinent. He had played the WT20 in 2016 and he has also played for the Chittagong Vikings in the BPL. Raza can be used as a floater in the batting order and as someone who can bowl 2 or 3 economical overs.

#3 Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid is a leg spinner

Adil Rashid is a leg spinner who plays for England. He is an integral part of England's white ball plans. He is someone who is often underrated by people. Although he does leak runs on a few occasions, he makes up for it by picking up a wicket or 2. He also has the ability to score quick runs at the end. His first class average is in the mid 30' and he has also scored a half-century in ODIs.

His T20 record is phenomenal. He has picked up 170 wickets at an average of 22.55. His economy of 7.45 is excellent for a leg spinner.

Although CSK already have Karn Sharma and Imran Tahir, it wouldn't harm them if they have 3 quality leg spinners.

#2 David Willey

Willey is the perfect T20 cricketer

David Willey is perhaps the most utilized cricketer in the shortest format of the game. He plays as bowling all rounder for England but, when he plays for Yorkshire in the T20 blast and for Perth Scorchers in the BBL he plays as a proper all rounder, batting in the top order and completing his full quota of 4 overs with the bowl. He is an aggressive batsman who can whack the bowl from the word go. He specializes in bowling with the new ball and relies on swing as he doesn't have the pace to scare batsmen. He isn't the most reliable bowler at the death as he doesn't have the pace to bowl good yorkers.

His T20 records with the bat and bowl are exceptional. While, his batting average is only 23, it is his strike rate of 143 that scares bowlers. His bowling average is only 22 and even his economy rate of 7.83 is decent for someone who bowls in the power play.

He is very similar to Santner, the only difference between them is that Willey is a fast bowler, while Santner is a spinner. If the Chennai Super Kings get him into their squad, a lot of departments can be covered. He can be a backup for both Watson and Bravo if they sustain injuries or go out of form. He can also play as their overseas fast bowler as he would be the only one with experience of playing in India.

#1 Ashton Agar

Ashton Agar is a one for the future

If the Chennai Super Kings were to find the perfect replacement for Santner it would be Agar. Both of them similar in many ways. They both are lanky left arm spinners who can bowl economical overs. They can also chip in with a few quick runs at the end of an inning. Agar plays for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL and was recently seen playing for Australia in the Trans-Tasman Tri series.

His T20 records are pretty good. He averages 21 with the bat and has a strike rate of 122. Although he averages 30 with the bowl, his economy rate is only 7. Agar has been in good form for the past couple of months. He has picked up 15 wickets in his last 14 T20s with an excellent economy of 5.96.

Due to his similarities with Santner, he might be the top contender to replace Santner for the upcoming season of Vivo IPL.