Chennai Super Kings won their fourth IPL title under MS Dhoni. The former Indian skipper is 40 now and the CSK management said that he will the first player the franchise will retain ahead of IPL 2022 auction. The auction is critical for the defending champions to make a team for the next five to 10 years given that at some point they need to look beyond MS Dhoni.
Chennai Super Kings had a point to prove after their forgetful IPL season in 2020. Winnings this season, they have proved that nothing can beat experience as Dwayne Bravo correctly put forward after CSK’s win.
In this article, we take a look at four players Chennai Super Kings will be aiming to retain after BCCI’s gave their statement on the maximum number of players a franchise can retain.
Chennai Super Kings: 4 Likely Retainees
MS Dhoni
The CSK management has already said that they will use their first retention card on MS Dhoni the day CSK won the IPL. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan further said that there is no CSK without Dhoni and no Dhoni without CSK.
With Dhoni’s experience, the side will look to possibly prepare a skipper over the next season. Playing alongside and under Dhoni, the player can take all the experience and the nuances of leading a team from the great man. CSK might even defend their title next season with Dhoni at the helm.
Faf Du Plessis
Du Plessis is someone who can take the baton of leadership from Dhoni. He has played for Chennai Super Kings throughout his IPL career and has developed into a matchwinner in the format. He ended as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament this season but still failed to get a place in the South African squad for the T20 World Cup.
A calm head on his shoulders, the CSK management should retain keeping the future in mind.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad has been the find for CSK this season. After making a few notable performances last season, IPL 2021 was truly the year he came on his own. He played with equal ease and grace to the pacers and the spinners. Also, the management should not try and break the opening partnership that did the bulk of the scoring for his team. The youngster can also be groomed to become the side’s captain in the future.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja will surely be among the four players CSK will retain ahead of IPL 2022. Jadeja’s progress as an international cricketer has all been down to how he has progressed as a player in the IPL. He is among the top all-rounders in the world and is always in the top 3 rankings for all-rounders in the IPL.
Ideally, the management would like Jadeja to take over the captaincy from MS Dhoni. Dhoni has groomed both Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja over the years and with reports that CSK is not interested in retaining Raina, Jadeja will surely be in their plans.
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