Former India all rounder makes surprising pick for Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2024 Mini Auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be a focal point in the upcoming IPL 2024 auction in Dubai on December 19, given their substantial remaining purse of Rs 32.1 crore and six available slots to fill. As the defending champions, CSK aims to reinforce their bowling department, especially with the release of players like Dwaine Pretorius and Sisanda Magala, coupled with the unavailability of Ben Stokes.

While speculations hint at potential bids for Pat Cummins and Shardul Thakur, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan proposes a distinctive suggestion for the defending champions. During a conversation with Star Sports, Irfan recommended that CSK consider acquiring Harshal Patel in the IPL 2024 auction. The legendary swing bowler also emphasized the significance of Deepak Chahar, noting that Chahar's susceptibility to injuries could have significant implications for CSK. In the event of Chahar being sidelined due to injury, it could potentially impact various aspects of CSK's performance.

"They have a lot of fast bowlers who can get injured regularly, guys like Deepak Chahar. They keep a lot of faith in Deepak Chahar but if he is not fit and available, they can be in a mess. So, what they need - maybe a guy like Harshal Patel. Bangalore is not far from there, so just get Harshal Patel with a small ride of five hours and just get him in CSK " the former India all-rounder said.

CSK will also look for replacement for Ben Stokes

In the meantime, Chennai Super Kings have let go of England Test captain Ben Stokes, as he has opted to take a break from IPL 2024. On a different note, Ambati Rayudu had earlier announced his retirement this year, leaving the franchise with a considerable budget for the upcoming auction. The primary objective is to secure an all-rounder capable of filling the void left by Stokes in the middle order.

The Chennai-born cricketer Shahrukh Khan is still in the mix as Punjab Kings released him during the player retention process. Currently, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, and Ravindra Jadeja are the only all-round options available to them. It's worth noting that CSK has a significant purse of INR 31.40 crore for the auction, surpassing that of seven other franchises.