As per reports, IPL 2023 Auction might take place either in Bengaluru or Istanbul. The reports also claim that November 15th will be the last date for franchises to submit their list of retained and released cricketers. Chennai Super Kings did not have a memorable campaign in IPL 2022. Now that they will be returning to Chepauk to play seven games in IPL 2023, the franchise will be desperate to do well. MS Dhoni could be playing his last season and the management will target it to make it memorable. For that, they need to have a fine performance at the auctions. On that note, here, we take a look at the four players Chennai Super Kings might release before IPL 2023 Auctions. This list does not include cricketers such as Robin Uthappa, who have retired and will be automatically released from the team list.
1) Chris Jordan
Purchased for INR 3.2 Crores at the IPL 2022 Mega-Auctions, English pacer Chris Jordan could not do well for the franchise. In fact, he was directly part of a few losses and hence, CSK might part ways with the cricketer.
There are plenty of talented overseas pacers on the market. Having signed Matheesha Pathirana as Adam Milne’s replacement, CSK might opt to retain both and hence, Jordan could be released. CSK would need someone more reliable at the death and they might already be scouting for a candidate.
2) Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner is one of the players Chennai Super Kings might release before the IPL 2023 Auctions. With Ravindra Jadeja set to be retained, CSK could make the hard decision of releasing the Kiwi. In this era of match-ups, it is not wise to have two players of the same profile. If they still want one more left-arm off-spinner, they could target someone like Shakib Al Hasan, who is more experienced in India.
Santner has been a part of the CSK setup for a while now. He is a talented cricketer but is yet to set the scene on fire for CSK. Therefore, the 2021 champions could try someone else in his place for future seasons.
3) Tushar Deshpande
In Deepak Chahar’s absence, CSK unearthed two talented pacers last season. While Mukesh Choudhary could continue to be a part of the playing XI, Simarjeet Singh also left many impressed with his pace and movement. In this context, Tushar Deshpande could have to be sacrificed. Rajvardhan Hangargekar is also awaiting an opportunity and hence, Tushar’s situation is further difficult.
CSK could instead target someone who has raw pace. This would help them in venues outside Chennai. Although not entirely quick, CSK could target someone like Mukesh Kumar for the next season.
4) N Jagadeesan
N Jagadeesan is also one of the players Chennai Super Kings might release before the IPL 2023 Auctions. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper has not got a lot of chances at CSK. In the opportunities he received, Jagadeesan was not great. Therefore, CSK might release him before IPL 2023. Jagadeesan’s form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is also not exceptional and hence, he could struggle to remain at CSK.
The franchise will want to hire some young wicket-keepers and middle-order batters for the next season. This will be to plan for life after MS Dhoni. Some of the options they can consider include Dinesh Bana, Samarth Vyas and Mohammed Azharuddeen.
