IPL 2022 Auction: 3 traits of the CSK squad that put them ahead of the other teams

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played it safe in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), as they have done in the past.

As numerous former players returned to the yellow jersey, the franchise’s commitment to its players was evident. CSK can probably fight for the IPL crown this year, even though the squad will undoubtedly need to change after a season or two.

Here are three things about CSK that make them real contenders for the IPL 2022 title.

#3 CSK have retained their core, even in the mega auction

Most teams were likely to go for a younger team with new faces in the IPL 2022 auction. The IPL auction’s future is questionable, with some rumors saying that this will be the league’s final super auction. CSK, on the other hand, didn’t appear to pay much attention to such accusations, opting instead to re-sign key players.

CSK have remained remarkably unaltered even after the big sale, despite the fact that the other franchises have seen significant changes. Apart from the four retentions the franchise chose to exercise ahead of the auction, key stars like Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, and Deepak Chahar will be back in yellow.

#2 CSK’s squad is teeming with experience

Over the previous several IPL seasons, the most common complaint made against CSK squads has been their average age. Even in IPL 2022, the Men in Yellow have numerous players above the age of 30, with the exception of a few interesting recruits like Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Prashant Solanki.

The advantage of having older players, though, is the experience they provide. CSK features match-winners who have played at the highest level for more than a decade, and the team’s strong leadership group has served them well in the IPL.

When thrown into unexpected conditions, CSK’s veterans are more than capable of delivering. That’s the formula the Men in Yellow have used to win two IPL crowns since their return to the league, and it might be repeated this year.

#1 CSK can afford to field several different playing XIs without damaging balance

The variety of CSK’s roster is a prominent trait. The four-time winners have a plethora of all-rounders who have shown their worth in the IPL or in international cricket, both in India and abroad.

Dwayne Bravo, Shivam Dube, Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Jordan, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, and Mitchell Santner are just a few of the CSK players that give depth to the team. In whichever playing XI CSK field during IPL 2022, the batting and bowling departments can be easily linked, especially given the all-rounders they have all play diverse roles.

Dube, Santner, Jadeja, and Ali may be utilized as middle-overs enforcers, while Jordan, Pretorius, and Bravo can be used as death-overs specialists. Other international possibilities like Adam Milne and Maheesh Theekshana bring hard-to-find diversity to the bowling assault in their own individual ways, while Chahar is a formidable new-ball weapon.

At CSK, even batting positions are rather changeable. Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, and Devon Conway are among the players who might open with Ruturaj Gaikwad. All four players can also play in the middle order, which is nearly entirely made up of floaters who can be sent in at any time.