With the retention process now complete, all Indian Premier League (IPL) teams are shifting their focus to finalizing their strategies for the 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah.
Attention will be on one of the league’s most successful franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have clinched five titles. The team’s management is concentrating on assembling a core group that can help them secure a sixth championship.
CSK has retained five players: Ruturaj Gaikwad (₹18 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (₹18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (₹13 crore), Shivam Dube (₹12 crore), and MS Dhoni (₹4 crore).
CSK failed to secure a playoff spot in the 2024 season, as their players struggled to close out matches. As teams aim to bolster their squads with all-rounders capable of changing the course of a game, several Indian and international players, including England’s Sam Curran, will be up for auction this year.
Here are the 3 reasons why CSK should pursue Sam Curran in the IPL 2025 auction:
#3 Sam Curran is a skilled all-rounder who excels under pressure
At 26, Sam Curran is a versatile all-rounder who would further strengthen CSK’s already balanced squad. He offers depth in both batting and bowling, adding flexibility to the team’s strategy.
Curran is capable of bowling at different stages, providing control and breaking key partnerships. With the bat, he is adaptable, performing well in various positions from the top to the lower middle order.
In 56 T20Is for England, he has scored 332 runs and taken 54 wickets. Curran has consistently delivered at the top level, highlighted by his standout performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets.
In the IPL, Curran has played 59 matches, scoring 883 runs (with five fifties) and taking 58 wickets, including a hat-trick, highlighting his all-round capabilities with both bat and ball.
#2 A flexible bowler: Able to excel with both the new and old ball
One of Sam Curran’s key strengths is his ability to perform with both the new and old ball. His skill in varying pace and generating swing has made him a challenging bowler for opposing batsmen.
Although Curran has faced some struggles recently, his potential remains evident. His performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup was below expectations, with just three wickets in five matches and an economy rate of 9.58.
He has gone wicketless in the first three matches of the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. However, his past performances show that he has the talent and potential to become one of the top players in T20 cricket.
Curran’s left-arm angle challenges right-handed batters, particularly in the powerplay with his swing and pace variations. In the death overs, his slower balls, yorkers, and cutters help contain batsmen, as seen in his crucial nine wickets during England’s 2022 T20 World Cup win.
#1 Has delivered strong performances for the franchise in the past
If CSK succeeds in re-signing Sam Curran, it wouldn’t be a first. He played a key role for the franchise in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2020, he claimed 13 wickets and scored 186 runs, including a half-century.
Curran was also part of the squad that clinched the IPL title in 2021, taking nine wickets. Given his previous experience with the CSK setup, his return could help him rediscover his best form.
CSK has been fortunate to have match-winning all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo in the past. With Bravo now retired, Curran has the potential to step into that role, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball.
CSK’s management is known for its patience with players, allowing them to develop into key performers. Considering Curran’s age and potential, he aligns well with their long-term strategy. His inclusion would not only boost the squad for the upcoming season but also reinforce their future plans in the IPL.
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