IPL 2019: Four players CSK might release before next season

Chennai Super Kings have simply been one of the most consistent and successful franchises in the history of Indian Premier League. Despite having a lot of out-of-favour cricketers like Suresh Raina, Sam Billings and Scott Kuggeleijn in their side, they have managed to make it to the play-offs comfortably.

Despite being the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season, their middle-order has completely faltered and have failed to make much of an impact. Much to their dismay, a lot of high profile players and proven performers including Shane Watson, Raina, Shane Watson, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu have not lived up to the expectations. They have been hugely reliant on their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has single-handedly led from the front.

As a lot of CSK cricketers have flopped this season, the management could release the under-performing cricketers and revamp the squad completely. On that note, we take a look at the players who could be released by Chennai Super Kings.

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#4 Kedar Jadhav

(Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Kedar Jadhav, the 34-year-old multi-utility cricketer from Pune has clearly been one of the weakest links in CSK's middle-order batting department. Jadhav has been highly backed by the CSK team management as he has started in all the 14 matches.

Donning the role of a specialist batsman in the squad, Jadhav has not managed more than 162 runs at a paltry average of 18 and strike-rate of 95.85. He has not fared well in the field and has also dropped plenty of catches in the tournament. Also, he has not bowled a single over in the history of Indian Premier League.

Moreover, Jadhav is an injury-prone cricketer and he has also been ruled out for the remainder of the IPL this season due to an injury he suffered while fielding against Kings XI Punjab. With neither age nor form on his side, Jadhav could well be released by the Southerners.

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#3 Shardul Thakur

Despite being labeled as a death over specialist, Shardul Thakur has been hammered away for runs. (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Shardul Thakur has been one of the most underachieving bowlers in the Indian Premier League. Thakur's inconsistency and disability to slow down the momentum of the opposition has paved the way for several woes for Chennai Super Kings.

He has only scalped 6 wickets from 8 matches so far while also giving away 231 runs at an economy rate of 9.24. He has clearly been bashed away for runs in the death overs and his yorkers have completely missed the block-hole. In the encounter against Mumbai Indians, Shardul Thakur gave away as much as 16 runs in the 19th over which completely changed the course of the game in MI's favour.

The 27-year-old bowler from Mumbai might most probably be released by CSK as he has fallen down the pecking order.

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#2 Ambati Rayudu

Despite being expected to feature in the ICC World Cup 2019, Rayudu was snubbed at the last moment (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Ambati Rayudu, the Indian middle-order batsman has completely failed to find his golden touch back and has been one of the biggest flops for CSK this season. Despite getting ample time at the crease to settle himself, he has clearly failed to make use of it.

The 33-year-old cricketer has also been omitted from India's 15 member squad for ICC World Cup 2019 in favour of Vijay Shankar due to his below-par recent form, both in the ODI series against Australia and then in the IPL.

Rayudu has only scored 219 runs from 14 matches at an average of 19.90 and poor strike-rate of 90.49. Along with Jadhav, Rayudu is also one of the top Indian cricketers to have under-performed this season. Rayudu's failure to accelerate the innings could lead him the axe.

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#1 Shane Watson

Shane Watson has completely looked off colour this season. (Picture courtesy: iplt20.com/BCCI)

Shane Watson, the 37-year-old Australian cricketer was hugely responsible for Chennai Super Kings' title victory last season. However, Watson has looked like a shadow of himself this season and has produced below-par performances.

Playing the role of an opening batsman, Watson has just meager 258 runs to his name which includes a single half-century. His average only counts up to 18.42 and his strike-rate has only been 124.

Added to his woes, he has not contributed with the ball and has been sloppy in the field. He has faltered in crunch situations and his early dismissals have vastly pressurised CSK's middle order batting department. He has failed to read the bowlers' line and lengths and has thrown away his wicket cheaply

The veteran cricketer who will turn 38 by this June is highly unlikely to be retained by CSK in the cash-rich league next season.