IPL Auction 2022 will happen soon. All eyes will be on the defending champions Chennai Super Kings because they had to release a majority of their star players. The mega auction rules allowed the franchises to retain only a maximum of four players before the IPL Auction 2022.
MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali were the four players retained by the Chennai Super Kings team. Many fans would know that Dhoni once played for Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL. There were many common players in CSK and RPS squads, and CSK could look to sign the following five Rising Pune Supergiant stars at the IPL Auction 2022.
1. Faf du Plessis
CSK released Faf du Plessis ahead of the IPL Auction 2022. The South African star was one of the leading run-scorers in the 2021 IPL season. When CSK received a suspension, du Plessis turned up for the Rising Pune Supergiant. It should not be a surprise if CSK sign du Plessis at the mega auction.
2. Rahul Tripathi
Chennai Super Kings have hinted that they will invest in rising stars by retaining Ruturaj Gaikwad. They could perhaps target Rahul Tripathi at the IPL Auction 2022 and add one more rising star of India to their top-order. Tripathi was very impressive for the Rising Pune Supergiant.
3. Ben Stokes
World-class all-rounder Ben Stokes was released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL Auction 2022. CSK love all-rounders, and a player like Stokes, who won the MVP award in IPL 2017 while playing for RPS, could be a solid addition to the squad.
4. Deepak Chahar
Like Faf du Plessis, Deepak Chahar joined CSK after RPS exited the IPL. Chahar has been a match-winner for Chennai, but the mega auction rules forced the team management to release him ahead of the IPL Auction. Super Kings are likely to sign Chahar soon.
5. Shardul Thakur
Another former RPS player who joined CSK in 2018 was pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur. The right-arm pacer was the most successful bowler from CSK team in IPL 2021. Like du Plessis and Chahar, CSK are likely to get Thakur back in the squad at the IPL Auction.
