The talking point among the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans on Tuesday was a successful and impressive IPL 2024 auction that their management had in Dubai.
The defending champions went into the auction with the requirement of replacing all-rounder Ben Stokes, retired batsman Ambati Rayudu, and an overseas pacer. They returned with a brilliant set of players in Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman, and the young UP batting sensation Sameer Rizvi.
Daryl Mitchell, who hit centuries against India in the World Cup 2023, has been in a brilliant form across formats since last year. Shardul Thakur, who was with CSK in their title-winning teams in 2018 and 2021, returns to play once again under MS Dhoni. Mustafizur Rahman is picked in particular keeping in mind the dry and patchy Chepauk surface, while Rachin Ravindra stunned everyone with his batting in the World Cup, and showed that he’s very adept in playing spinners.
With these acquisitions, it seems that CSK looks even stronger and more well-rounded than their title-winning team last season, especially in the bowling department.
Predicting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) best XI for IPL 2024:
- Devon Conway*
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Darryl Mitchell/Moeen Ali*
- Shivam Dube
- Dhoni (C,wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Deepak Chahar
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Maheesh Theekshana*
- Matheesha Pathirana*
Tushar Deshpande and Shivam Dube/Ajinkya Rahane are likely to be used as Impact subs.
(* indicates overseas player)
On MS Dhoni, the 42-year-old is set to lead CSK in the IPL 2024, which is very likely to be Dhoni’s last IPL season. Coach Stephen Fleming said that they have been planning for Dhoni’s successor for a long time.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad after IPL 2024 auction:
Players Retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ajay Mandal, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner, Maheesh Theekshana, Prashant Solanki, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed
Players bought: Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Aravelly Avanish
