IPL: 5 players that the Chennai Super Kings regret letting go of

The Chennai Super Kings have been giants in the IPL over the years being the first team to win the title twice. Throughout the ten years of the league, they have been a team to beat. One of the reasons for their success has been the strength of the side on paper.

The CSK had the privilege of having some veteran T20 cricketers in their ranks. The team does not tamper much with the composition of the side and go to the IPL every year with pretty much same bunch of players.

However, they have let go some exciting cricketers in the past which they might rue. Here are the 5 players that the CSK regret letting go.

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#5 Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith provided good starts during his stints with the CSK.

The West Indian opener was a solid performer at the top of the order for the men in yellow during his little stint with them. Smith provided great value to the team as he could bowl few overs when required as well.

He was picked up by the CSK at the auction in 2014. After CSK were banned, Smith joined Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017. However, after their comeback, they opted to leave him out in 2018 and let him go unsold at the auction.

Letting go a utility player like Smith was certainly a tactical error and was not wise on their part as he had done nothing wrong during his stint with them.

#4 Albie Morkel

Morkel was a genuine all-rounder in the early years of IPL for the CSK.

Albie Morkel was a genuine all-rounder for the Chennai Super Kings in the early years of the IPL. He made his debut for the CSK in 2008 and added great balance to the CSK side.

Morkel could come in at No.6 and strike big in death overs. He also could make the new ball swing and provide early breakthroughs, thereby pushing the opposition on the back foot straight away.

Morkel was a regular performer till 2013 but was let go after. After his exclusion, the CSK haven't found a foreign all-rounder who could fill in his shoes except for Dwayne Bravo.

#3 Chris Morris

Morris' best years came after leaving the CSK.

Chris Morris is one of the most devastating all-rounders in the IPL today for the Delhi Daredevils. However, the Proteas all-rounder once donned the yellow of the Chennai Super Kings.

A tall fast bowler who could wield his willow in lower down the order, Morris had all the credentials of a good foreign all-rounder. He was let go by the Chennai Super Kings after 2013 and the best years of his career came for his next two franchises, Rajasthan Royals, and the Delhi Daredevils.

The CSK might rue losing Morris now, as they axed him just when he was finding his feet and would have reaped huge dividends after establishing himself.

#2 Brendon McCullum

The destructive Brendon McCullum played for the CSK in 2014 and 2015.

Brendon McCullum was picked up by the CSK in 2014. He formed a formidable opening partnership alongside Dwayne Smith, often getting his side off to an explosive start.

McCullum is kind of player who takes the game away totally from the opposition if he bats 6-7 overs. After CSK's ban in 2015, McCullum joined the Gujarat Lions. Subsequently, when the CSK were reinstated to the IPL, they missed out on picking Brendon McCullum at the auction.

This is a move they might rue since it is very difficult to replace a player of McCullum's caliber.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin has been the best off-spinner for the CSK.

The ace off-spinner was a vital cog in the CSK bowling line-up for quite some time. He was MS Dhoni's go-to man when it came to bowling a spinner in the powerplay.

Throughout his CSK stint, Ashwin carried the burden of CSK's spin bowling department on his shoulders. He was not retained and in the 2018 IPL auction, Ashwin was let go by the Men in Yellow to the Kings XI Punjab.

Ashwin has been with the CSK during their years of glory, winning the IPL and CLT20 title twice. The CSK might regret letting go their best off-spinner and hometown hero.