RETAIN OF PLAYERS IN CSK

Three Players CSK will retain?

3 Players Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Can Retain In IPL 2022 Mega Auction. After enduring their worst season last year in the history of IPL, Chennai Super Kings made a remarkable comeback in IPL 2021. They were the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs last year. And the following year, MS Dhoni and Co. shut all their critics who doubted them. Bouncing back strongly from the forgettable 2020 IPL season, CSK became the first team to reach the playoffs in IPL 2021. Much to the delight of CSK fans, they went on to lift their fourth IPL title after beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.

Speculations have already started around the players that CSK would retain for the mega-auction. On that note, here’s a look at three prominent stars that Chennai Super Kings might look to retain. With speculations rife over should CSK retain MS Dhoni or not, ex-South African captain Shaun Pollock reckons he may be involved with the franchise in some managerial capacity. Pollock doubts Dhoni would be retained as a player. The ex-SA skipper picked Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, and Ravindra Jadeja as the three players CSK should retain ahead of the mega auction.“You have got to keep Ruturaj Gaikwad. Going forward, I feel he will be absolutely fantastic for them. Jadeja, I would hold on to because he’s been great with the bat and the ball. And I personally don’t think we will see Dhoni, I think he will be retained in a managerial role. I would probably go with Faf, Jadeja, and Gaikwad as the three retentions,”Pollock told Cricbuzz.

This is contrary to what a CSK official said. Speaking to ANI, a CSK official confirmed that the franchise would use their first retention card for Dhoni.“There will be retention and that is a fact. The number of retentions isn’t something we are aware of yet. But honestly, that is secondary in MS’ case because the first card will be used for him. The ship needs its captain and rest assured he will be back next year,” the official said.Meanwhile, Dhoni would be part of the Indian team as a mentor for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Plaudits reckon Dhoni’s presence would help the side because of the immense experience he will bring to the table.

THE THREE PLAYERS WHO WOULD RETAIN IN IPL 2022 MEGHA AUCTION ARE :

• MS Dhoni : Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the franchise to win their fourth IPL title this year. His numbers with the bat were ordinary, to say the least. However, his ability to lead the side and use his players wisely is still second to none. Given the recent statements made by CSK officials, MS Dhoni should be retained at the mega-auctions. There is also an assumption that he might not lead the side in IPL 2022 and play as a specialist batsman and wicket-keeper. His exemplary wicket-keeping skills and captaincy has lead CSK to 8 finals and three wins. In one of the recent interviews, Dhoni expressed his desire to play his final IPL game at Chepauk. Any decision of the selectors would eventually depend on Dhoni’s personal decision of continuing to play or not.

• Ravindra Jadeja : Ravindra Jadeja has made a sharp rise in his stocks as an all-rounder over the last couple of years. Jadeja has worked quite a bit on his batting and it is certainly paying off at the moment. The southpaw has played some crucial knocks for CSK in IPL 2021. He has been a vital cog for them for many years and it’s unlikely that he won’t be retained at the mega-auctions. Jadeja is always the go-to man for MS Dhoni whenever he needs to break any crucial partnership. Not just that, he is also an extraordinary fielder. Sir Jadejais India’s most improved cricketer in recent years. He will surely be one of the players CSK would want to retain before the IPL 2022 mega-auction. Unless he himself wants a change, it is a no-brainer that CSK will retain him.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad : The orange cap holder of IPL 2021, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a sensation for Chennai in IPL 2021. His ability to pierce the gaps and also hit sixes just from sheer timing has received plaudits from many cricket pundits. Ruturaj Gaikwad wreaked havoc during the second leg of IPL 2021, piling on a plethora of runs for the franchise.In 16 matches, he managed to score 635 runs at an average of 45.36 and a strike rate of 136.27. Given how well he paced his innings in the tournament, Ruturaj Gaikwad could serve CSK for a number of years going forward.