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5 overseas players CSK could target in the IPL Auction 2021

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Steve Smith and Maxwell
Photo Source: Twitter

The Chennai Super Kings missed out on a place in the Top 4 last year. Hence, the team management decided to release six players before the 14th IPL season. Shane Watson had already announced his retirement, so the Super Kings had no other option available but to release their Australian opener.

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Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay, and Piyush Chawla could not live up to the expectations in the previous IPL season. Meanwhile, CSK also released Harbhajan Singh because they had many other spin-bowling options available. Right now, CSK has one spot left in their overseas department.

They need a match-winner at this position who could add balance to the side. Here are the five players the Chennai-based franchise can possibly target in the approaching auction.

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5. Mitchell Starc

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The Chennai Super Kings do not have a fiery pacer who can trouble the opposition batsmen with his pace, bounce, and swing. Sam Curran, Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur are fine. However, someone like Starc could add an ‘X-factor’ to this lineup.

Mitchell Starc is likely to play in this year’s IPL. After dominating the batsmen in the yellow Australian jersey, the CSK fans would hope that Starc does the same in CSK’s yellow jersey if the three-time IPL winners sign him.

4. Matthew Wade

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The Chennai Super Kings need one batsman who can bat between skipper MS Dhoni and vice-captain Suresh Raina in the batting lineup. If they use Faf du Plessis at the number four spot, they need an opening batsman who could bat with Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Matthew Wade can be the perfect option for this role. Wade performed brilliantly against India in T20Is recently. Also, he led the side in one match. So, he can be a great overseas buy for the Chennai Super Kings.

3. Dawid Malan

Dawid Malan
Photo: Dawid Malan/Instagram

Dawid Malan is the world’s number one T20I batsman. He is the only batsman in the history of ICC T20I Rankings to amass over 900 rating points. Surprisingly, Malan has never got an IPL contract so far.

The Chennai Super Kings could be Dawid’s first IPL franchise. Last year, CSK signed Sam Curran and the left-handed player performed brilliantly for them. This year, another southpaw from the English team could help the Chennai-based team perform better in the IPL.

2. Steve Smith

Steve Smith has lost his IPL contract from the Rajasthan Royals. The Jaipur-based franchise had named Steve Smith as their captain in IPL 2020. However, under his captaincy, the team finished at the last position.

Thus, RR team management decided to release him and elected Sanju Samson as their captain. One should not forget that Steve is one of the best batsmen of the modern era. He can fit well in any IPL franchise. CSK could go for him and give him that number four batsman’s role. It is noteworthy that Smith’s only IPL hundred has come under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.

1. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell will go under the hammer once again in the IPL 2021 Auction. The Australian all-rounder had a disastrous IPL 2020 campaign with the Kings XI Punjab. However, he returned to form in the series against India.

Although Maxwell scored runs versus India, KXIP decided to release him before IPL 2021. CSK could take advantage of this situation and add Maxwell to their squad. The Aussie could not only bat at number four but also his right-arm off-spin will be of great help at Chepauk.