Chennai Super Kings had been suspended in 2016 and 2017, but when they returned, they did in style, winning the IPL in 2018. In 2020, the side full of senior players were branded ‘Dad’s Army’. It also remains the only time they did not make it to the Playoffs. However, they came back again, under M.S. Dhoni, to win in 2021.
Chennai Super Kings came to auction with a purse of 48 crores, having retained Ravindra Jadeja (for INR 16 crores), Dhoni (12 crores), Moeen Ali (8 crores), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (6 crores). Their auction strategy was simple: they kept faith in their senior players, recalling Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo, Robin Uthappa, and for a massive 14 crores, Deepak Chahar. However, one legend they did not back was Suresh Raina, who, after a glorious IPL career, went unsold.
As always, they also brought in young talent, like Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, C. Hari Nishanth, Simarjeet Singh, and N. Jagadeesan, whom they will expect to groom over the next three years. With most key players past their prime, Chennai must have gone into the auctions with the future in mind.
There were also the replacements – Devon Conway for Faf du Plessis at the top, and Adam Milne for Josh Hazlewood as the main overseas pacer.
Full squad
M.S. Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo, Robin Uthappa, Deepak Chahar, K.M. Asif, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Simarjeet Singh, Devon Conway, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Subhranshu Senapati, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, C. Hari Nishaanth, N. Jagadeesan, Chris Jordan, K. Bhagath Varma
Strengths
- Chennai thrive on experience. Most key players are old-timers who can resume with the same management under the same captain without much fuss, and mentor the youngsters.
- Chennai boast of balanced side with a few veteran hitters. The batting looks settled, as do the all-rounders, and Chahar and Milne will have a lot to offer with the ball. Solanki can support Jadeja in spin.
Weaknesses
- Conway is good but is he an ideal replacement for du Plessis? Time will tell.
- A number of Chennai players have been out of practice for some time. They – Rayudu, Uthappa, Dhoni, Jadeja – form the core group.
Predicted XI for IPL 2022
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Adam Milne, Tushar Deshpande