IPL 2018: CSK stars who need to justify their price tags 

The Chennai Super Kings need no introduction when it comes to the IPL. They are the most consistent side in the history of the league, with eight playoff appearances in eight seasons. One of the main reasons for their success is the fact that they have always retained their core players all these years. Their auction strategy has always been unique, be it bargain buys or buying back their former players. They have made the headlines on numerous occasions for the record buys at the auctions, be it MS Dhoni's price tag in 2008 or Ravindra Jadeja's price in 2012.

This year they are returning to the league after a two-year suspension due to the alleged involvement of their owners in spot-fixing. Expectations are sky-high this season for the fans of the Yellow Army. The Super Kings have assembled a pretty good squad for this season, but the age of some of their players has been the major talking point so far.

Let us now look at the players who must prove their worth after being bought for a higher price tag.

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#3 Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 2.6 crore at this year’s auctions. The 26-year-old fast bowler is a bit inexperienced when it comes to the IPL. In 2015, he was bought by the Kings XI Punjab franchise, where he played just one match scoring 7 runs and picking up a solitary wicket. In 2017, he was bought by the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant side led by Steven Smith.

He played 12 matches for the Pune franchise and took 11 wickets at an economy of 8.57, with his best figures being 3/19. It seems that MS Dhoni was impressed by Shardul’s 2017 IPL performance, as he will once again play alongside the legendary former Indian skipper.

Thakur will be the domestic pace spearhead for the Super Kings this season, as they lack a quality and experienced Indian pacer in their squad. The young man with a huge responsibility on his shoulders has to perform well for Dhoni’s men after being bought for a huge amount at the auctions.

#2 Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 5 crore at this year’s auctions. The Meerut-born leg-spinner has played for three different franchises so far- Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians. Karn Sharma has been a lucky charm in the last two editions of the IPL. In 2016, he won the title with Sunrisers Hyderabad under David Warner and then in 2017 won the title with the Mumbai Indians under Rohit Sharma.

In 55 IPL matches, Karn has scored 316 runs at a strike-rate of 116.60. He has taken 49 wickets at an economy of 7.67, with the best figures being 4/16. With too many spinners in the CSK squad this year, Karn will have to fight for his place in the starting 11. MS Dhoni and men will be hoping that the IPL lucky charm will turn their fortunes around this year, as they return to the IPL after a two-year hiatus.

#1 Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav was the Chennai Super Kings’ most expensive buy at the 2018 IPL auctions. The Pune-born all-rounder was bought by the Yellow army for a staggering INR 7.8 crore during the auctions at Bengaluru in January. This raised many eye-brows as Jadhav has not proved to be a match-winner in the previous IPL seasons. Jadhav has represented three IPL franchises so far- Delhi Daredevils, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

He donned the Delhi jersey in 2010 and from 2013-2015, before representing the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers in the 2011 edition. Jadhav was bought by the RCB in 2016, where he was a part of the squad that finished as the runners-up in season nine under Virat Kohli. In 64 IPL matches, Jadhav has scored 893 runs at a strike-rate of 134.89 with his highest score being 69.

An effective wicketkeeper, Jadhav has taken 23 catches and effected 7 stumpings. With CSK already having a spin-bowling all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja, Jadhav has to prove himself to secure a place in the starting 11. It remains to be seen whether the part-time off-spinner can prove his worth with his all-round abilities for Dhoni’s men this season.