CSK left with five overseas options for 'Right to Match'

It is highly unlikely that the two-time title-holder will use its RTM for an uncapped player like Tamil Nadu’s Baba Aparajith.

As per the regulations of the IPL Governing Council, a player can be retained by CSK only if he had been a part of its squad in 2015 and also represented either Gujarat Lions or Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous two editions of IPL.

Dwayne Bravo: Topping the chart for the most number of wickets in T20s with 407 scalps, the Trinidadian could well be one of the hot properties among the eight franchises for his match-winning prowess. Forming a part of the second set of marquee players, a high price tag is possibly at stake for him. The 34-year-old, who missed the last season due to an injury, is known for his immaculate slower ball and change of pace during the death overs. Bravo shares a five-year association with the side and would love to don the yellow jersey in what he calls his “second home”.

Andrew Tye: The Western Australian was finally able to showcase his class for the Gujarat Lions last year after warming the bench for nearly 35 encounters in the world’s premier T20 tournament. Tye, who was part of the CSK setup three years ago, achieved a remarkable feat in 2017 in T20s, picking up three hat-tricks (two for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and one for GL in IPL). He is in red hot form in BBL 2017-18, leading the pack for the highest wicket takers with 16 scalps. With a base price of just Rs 1 crore, the former Sydney Thunder pacer could be one of the steals of the event. 

Brendon McCullum: He set the arena ablaze on the inaugural day of IPL in 2008, notching up an impressive century against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Kiwi star is known for demoralising the bowlers during the powerplay overs, remaining a potent threat for the opposition despite moving towards the fag end of his career. Even if CSK fails to rope him in using the RTM, the MS Dhoni-led outfit can invest its money in alternative foreign openers like Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Aaron Finch, etc., 

Dwayne Smith: Despite being a powerful stroke maker, it is improbable for the Barbadian to feature on the top two spots of CSK's RTM wish list as he is well past his prime. But his ability to single-handedly turn the course of the games might make head coach Stephen Fleming think twice before letting him join a rival franchise. The all-rounder, who clears the ropes at ease and offers some uncanny medium pace stuff, has previously had stints with three-time champion Mumbai Indians and the now defunct Deccan Chargers. 

Faf du Plessis: The Proteas skipper was a vital cog in the CSK batting line-up, providing the much-needed stability to the middle order. Faf was also sparingly used as an opener in the absence of McCullum in IPL 2015. At a base price of Rs 1.5 crore, the former RPS man is one affordable player the management would be looking at. With the 'Think tank' making its intentions of retaining the core of the squad clear, he could be on his way back to the den.