IPL auction 2020: 3 overseas pacers Chennai Super Kings should look to bring back into the team

The Chennai Super Kings have released five players - Sam Billings, David Willey, Mohit Sharma, Dhruv Shorey and Chitanya Bishnoi, as well as the replacement signing Scott Kuggeleijn - ahead of the 2020 IPL auction.

Despite the fact that CSK have retained their core for the 13th edition of the IPL, they do have a few areas to address if they want to equal their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians' record of four IPL titles. The pace department is one of the departments which needs a major revamp.

Also see – World Test Championship points table

With INR 14.6 crore available in their purse and two overseas slots vacant, they will be aiming to bring in a quality, proven overseas pacer to bolster their attack. Mitchell Starc would be their top target, but the available purse doesn't seem large enough to secure Starc and also fill up the remaining four slots with quality players.

Hence, they must look at other smart options to target at the 19 December auction in Kolkata. And luckily for them, three of their former players look good to make a comeback to the Chepauk.

Here's a look at three former CSK pacers who could stage a comeback to the team for IPL 2020:

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#1 Andrew Tye

Andrew Tye

Not many would know that Andrew Tye actually began his IPL career with Chennai Super Kings in 2015. The Australian pacer, who was an uncapped player back then, did not get an opportunity to don the famous yellow jersey throughout Season 8 after being bought by the MS Dhoni-led franchise at his base of just INR 20 lakh.

Tye then moved to the now-defunct Gujarat Lions where he made his dream IPL debut in 2017 against the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant. He was the first-ever debutant to pick up an IPL hat-trick, and finished with figures of 5/17.

Tye's impressive short stint with Gujarat Lions (12 wickets in 6 matches) earned him a lucrative contract with Kings XI Punjab ahead of IPL 2018. At the auction, CSK's intent was pretty clear as they indulged in a bidding war with Punjab until INR 7 crore, before the Mohali franchise came up with the winning bid of INR 7.2 crore.

The 32-year-old, who impressed by picking up 24 wickets in Season 11 and winning the Purple Cap, failed to replicate his success in IPL 2019 (three wickets in six matches). That eventually led to his release ahead of the 2020 auction.

With Lungi Ngidi being injury-prone and Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo being quite expensive (especially at the death), Chennai needs a proven, quality overseas pacer. And Tye, with 194 T20 wickets to his name, might just be the right candidate.

#2 Matt Henry

Matt Henry

Matt Henry had a memorable World Cup 2019 campaign where he took 14 wickets in 9 matches at an economy of 4.87, with best figures of 4/47. In the crucial semifinal game against India, Henry was the chief tormentor with the ball and finished with figures of 3/37.

The 27-year-old began his IPL career at Chennai Super Kings in 2014 after being bought at his base price of INR 30 lakh. But the talented right-arm fast-medium bowler did not get to play a single game throughout his two-year stint at Chennai Super Kings (2014 and 2015).

At the 2017 IPL auction, Henry was bought by Kings XI Punjab for INR 50 lakh and played two games through the season, managing a solitary wicket. Unfortunately, he found no buyers in the next two editions with a base price of INR 50 lakh.

Now that Henry has proved himself at the 2019 World Cup, it would be a smart move for CSK to invest in a bowler who can consistently clock the 140-kph mark.

#3 Kyle Abbott

Kyle Abbott

Another player whose CSK stint you might not know about, Kyle Abbott was bought at his base price of INR 30 lakh at the 2015 IPL auction. Prior to his CSK stint, he was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Rajagopal Sathish by Kings XI Punjab back in 2012.

After getting no playing time in his first two IPL stints, Abbott finally made his debut after coming back to Kings XI Punjab in 2016. In the five matches he played, he managed just two wickets for Punjab before being released ahead of IPL 2017.

Having played for several teams in various T20 leagues like Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League and Mzansi Super League, the 32-year-old has a lot of experience under his belt (154 T20 wickets). He is capable of bowling fiery spells in the middle that can rattle any batting order.

With 71 wickets for Hampshire, Abbott was the second-highest wicket-taker overall in the 2019 English County Championship Division one. He was also the highest wicket-taker for his side at the 2019 Vitality Blast T20, with 20 scalps.

It could be a bargain buy for CSK if they got their former player at the 2020 auction, given Abbot's experience and recent form.