Chennai Super Kings made history in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. They beat Gujarat Titans in the final and won their fifth IPL title in history, equaling Mumbai Indians with the most IPL championships in history. CSK will enter the IPL 2024 as the defending champions. However, they will be without one of the their veteran star Ambati Rayudu.
The 37-year-old announced his IPL retirement after the CSK win and will not be part of the next edition for the Yellow Army. The franchise will have an eye on the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League 2023 and will try to shortlist a few local players to replace Rayudu in the next edition.
3 Players from TNPL 2023 who can replace Ambati Rayudu in IPL 2024 for CSK
3. Arun Karthik
Arun Karthik is a veteran wicketkeeper batter who is leading the Nellai Royal Kings in the ongoing TNPL 2023. He has been the standout performer in the tournament with both the bat and the ball. He has scored 140 runs in five innings at a brilliant strike rate of 181.82. Arun has recently struck an unbeaten 104 against Chepauk Super Gillies. He is a top order batter who can change gears as per situation and also have IPL experience. He was part of CSK from 2008 to 2010 and RCB from 2011 to 2013. CSK can try him in the next season.
2. Ajitesh Guruswamy
If CSK needs a young wicketkeeper who can keep behind the wickets after MS Dhoni, then Ajitesh Guruswamy can be the right option. The 20-year-old is among the leading scorers in the TNPL 2023. He is part of the Nellai Royal Kings and has scored 188 runs in five innings at an average of 62.67 and a healthy strike rate of 160.68. He bats at No. 4 or 5 and can smash the ball from ball one. Being a local lad, he can be a good option to invest in the future.
1. Baba Aparajith
Baba Aparajith has been among the top performers in the TNPL 2023 and is scoring runs consistently at the domestic level as well. The 28-year-old all-rounder was part of CSK setup but didn’t get much chance. He is playing for Chepauk Super Gillies in the ongoing TNPL. He has scored 240 runs at an average of 60 and a strike rate of 148.15, and he has also picked up four wickets with the ball. Aparajith is one of the biggest names in the TNPL at the moment.
