Who would have even imagined that CSK will become the first side to be knocked out of IPL 2020? For the first time in their history, MS Dhoni’s team bow out of the competition in the league stage itself. Chennai Super Kings could only win 6 matches out of 14 and finished at the seventh spot.
Fortunately for CSK they managed to win their last 3 matches and ended their campaign on a high. Yesterday post the victory skipper Dhoni was bold in his statement and gave a hint that the franchise is ready to give chances to the players of next generation.
Time for Chennai Super Kings has arrived to go through a transition phase and get ready for the next IPL season. Dhoni admitted that his side needs to change their core group and look ahead to the next 10 years. The changing of the guard at CSK is now inevitable as the franchise is expected to release some of their seasoned performers.
To remain consistent as a side CSK will need more players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad who have the potential to serve them in the upcoming decade. In this feature we look ahead at the 5 possible players CSK might decide to free ahead of the mini-auction before the next IPL season.
5 Players CSK Might Release Ahead Of IPL 2021
5. Shane Watson
Since donning the yellow of CSK in the IPL, Shane Watson has been an integral part of the franchise. Watson has been an asset with both bat and ball for CSK in his career. However, during IPL 2020 he looked below par and it seems he might have featured in his last IPL season. The 39-year-old was even rested in the last few match and CSK suggested about looking beyond Watson.
If Watson doesn’t decide to retire then CSK will undoubtedly release him ahead of next season. The franchise will be looking to include another overseas player that can fill the massive boots of Watson. The all-rounder looked a pale shadow of himself this year and we almost certainly have seen the last of him in IPL.
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4. Harbhajan Singh
The experienced off-spinner resolved to pull out of the season owing to personal reasons. Harbhajan had the capability of making a difference this year as he is known to be at his best on slower surfaces. Nonetheless, his decision of not playing IPL 2020 might end up in CSK rescuing him before the next season.
Harbhajan is 40-years-old and is best cricketing days are absolutely behind him. CSK will surely look to release him ahead of IPL 2020 and rope in a youngster who can represent CSK in the long run.
3. Imran Tahir
The leg spinner has always delivered for CSK when he has played for CSK in IPL. Now it looks that the spirited Imran Tahir is also dubious to play for CSK in the next season. Tahir hardly got any games this year as CSK already has enough depth of spinners in their ranks.
Tahir is a likeable character and will always be remembered by all the loyal CSK fans. The 41-year-old is anticipated to not play cricket for many years and considering his age factor franchise will let him go out of the next IPL competition.
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2. Mitchell Santner
With Ravindra Jadeja already in the side, Mitchell Santner has never got a consistent run in the Chennai Super Kings team. A team can only play 4 overseas players and Santner has more often than not warmed the bench. Even in this IPL, he was never the given a long run in the side by the CSK management.
CSK will be looking for a dynamic all-rounder who can compliment Sam Curran in the coming years. As a result chance of CSK retaining Santner looks bleak and the all-rounder might play for another side in the imminent years in the IPL.
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1. Kedar Jadhav
This is a no brainer that Kedar Jadhav should not be in the plans of CSK for the future. After his mediocre performances, this season Jhadav was immediately dropped by the franchise. In the second half of the tournament, he was hardly seen playing this season as CSK experimented with their playing XI and picked young blood.
In the middle order Jadhav now no longer has the game to be a match-winner. Even when the required rate has demanded him to up the ante Jadhav has still concentrated on just rotating the strike. A franchise needs a powerhouse in the lower middle order who can change the course of the match with his destructive batting.
Dhoni no longer has that kind of game and he would need some assistance at the other end in the next few years. Hence Jadhav will be most certainly be cleared by CSK when they plan their team for the next season.
Also Read: IPL 2020: CSK Will Come Back Strong, That’s What We Are Known For – MS Dhoni