CSK laps up Kedar Jadhav, Bravo and Watson on the opening day of the IPL auction
The returning Chennai Super Kings exercised a very cautious approach on the opening day of the Indian Premier League Auction, going for some experienced players and adding Indian international Kedar Jadhav, its biggest buy of the day, for Rs 7.8 crore.
By : migrator
Update: 2018-01-27 18:45 GMT
Chennai
Despite having some quality middle-order batsmen in Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, CSK decided to spend big on Jadhav, known for his hard hitting prowess towards the end of the innings and producing some valuable overs in the middle stages.
Faf du Plessis was CSK’s opening buy of the day after it used its ‘Right To Match’ option to match Kings XI Punjab’s bid of Rs 1.6 crore for the South African skipper. CSK used its other ‘RTM’ option for proven match-winner and death overs specialist Dwayne Bravo. The Trinidadian was initially sold to KXIP for Rs 6.4 crore before the ‘think tank’ of CSK decided to bring him back to its den. Former India coach Anil Kumble justified Bravo’s selection for ‘Right to Match’ at such a price.
“Bravo is a kind of player who will excel during CSK’s games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. His style of bowling will suit the conditions there,” commented Kumble.
After missing out on Ravichandran Ashwin, the Chennai franchise bought former Mumbai Indians spinner Harbhajan Singh for Rs 2 crore, which was his base price. Though CSK already had two spinners in its ranks, it strengthened its slow bowling department by roping in the leg-spinning duo of South Africa’s Imran Tahir and Karn Sharma for Rs 1 crore and Rs 5 crore respectively.
“He was extra-ordinary last year. He was ranked the number one T20 bowler in the world. He is obviously a good buy for us,” said CSK head coach Stephen Fleming on Tahir’s inclusion.
The side also snapped up former Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Shane Watson for Rs 4 crore, winning the auction battle against his former side. Watson, who is now part of Sydney Thunder in Big Bash League, was not in his best of forms in IPL 2017 while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore. “The clock is obviously ticking for him. He has performed well in the BBL and his experience will certainly come into play at some part of the campaign,” added Fleming.
Ex-MI player Ambati Rayudu, who broke into the scene with his useful contributions in IPL 2010, will now don the yellow jersey after he was bought for Rs 2.2 crore. It ends his eight-year old association with three-time winner Mumbai Indians. CSK now has 11 players in its roster, including four foreign signings. With a remaining purse amount of Rs 17 crore, CSK will look to buy a few fast bowlers who will be up for grabs on the second day.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS PLAYERS LIST
- KEDAR JADHAV: Base price: Rs 2 cr; SOLD PRICE 7.8 cr | Other teams represented: Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore
- HARBHAJAN SINGH: Base price: Rs 2 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 2 cr | Other team(s) represented: Mumbai Indians
- DWAYNE BRAVO: Base price: Rs 2 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 6.4 cr | Other teams represented: Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions
- SHANE WATSON: Base price: Rs 1 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 4 cr | Other teams represented: Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore
- KARN SHARMA: Base price: 2 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 5 cr | Other teams represented: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians
- FAF DU PLESSIS: Base price: Rs 1.5 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 1.6 cr | Other team(s) represented: Rising Pune Supergiant
- IMRAN TAHIR: Base price: Rs 1 cr; SOLD PRICE Rs 1 cr | Other teams represented: Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiant
- AMBATI RAYUDU: Base price: Rs 50 lakh; SOLD PRICE Rs 2.2 cr | Other team(s) represented: Mumbai Indians
PLAYERS RETAINED AHEAD OF THE AUCTION: MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja
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