Chennai Super Kings endured a tough campaign in 2020. For a squad that had reached the playoffs in every season they played, a No.7 finish on the points table was disappointing. However, many feel that it was coming. The reason being, many of the players in the franchise had been inactive and were in mediocre form.
The management would surely react strongly to IPL 2020. A few players would get the axe in the next few months. The focus will shift to hiring better players at the auctions and improving the ones in the roster. On that note, here are five players whom we think may not play for CSK again.
1. Kedar Jadhav
CSK fans were extremely critical of Kedar Jadhav’s performance in 2020. A man who has played such crucial knocks for Team Indian in the past, it was just inexplicable to watch him struggle to connect bat to ball in this campaign. He is also on the other side of his age, and hence, cannot extract another opportunity. That means we might not expect Kedar in yellow again. From the players’ perspective, he needs to have a defining season to make any sort of comeback to the scheme of things. If he doesn’t do that, the time may be up for him in Indian colors too.
2. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh pulled out of IPL 2020 before even the season started. Hence, we might say that he might have played his last game for CSK in 2019 itself. Bhajji is reaching the final stages of his career, and moreover, he isn’t active in domestic cricket too. CSK might consider these factors and release the veteran. His performances also have been under par for a while, and his social-media antics haven’t done him good either. CSK would want to purchase someone like Ravichandran Ashwin or Jayant Yadav to replace him for next season.
3. Piyush Chawla
CSK’s bid for Piyush Chawla was more of a gamble. Considering Chepauk is a spinners’ paradise, the franchise spent heavily on him. However, with the relocation, the tide shifted for Piyush. Although he started well, the form drifted very soon. Batsmen were able to pick him easily, and soon, the former KKR spinner started leaking runs consistently. They were remarks regarding his fitness too. With so many unfilled checkboxes, CSK would surely release him, and may not buy him again.
4. Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay’s time in IPL may soon be coming to an end. He was lucky to get a few games at UAE but he disappointed in them. Once a hard-hitting player, it is unfortunate that Vijay has lost his sheen. Adding to this, the fact that CSK have unearthed Ruturaj Gaikwad for the openers’ position has put a nail on the coffin for the India international. The road is pretty tough for Vijay in the coming days. A place in the Indian Team is very far, and only a miraculous domestic season might provide hopes for him. That said, with players of his age still thriving, if Vijay can get back into some kind of form, he might get a few chances in IPL.
5. Imran Tahir
The only reason why Imran Tahir could be released is because of his age. CSK might not gamble on him for one more campaign considering the upcoming season is just a few more months away. There is also a possibility that Tahir could call his time. He didn’t get chances this season, and very few franchises could think of picking him at the auctions. At least in CSK, Tahir’s journey might be over. The management could instead focus on youngsters like Mayank Markhande, R Sai Kishore and M Siddharth to fill their spin-bowling unit.
