Chennai Super Kings (CSK), since returning to the IPL in 2018, have won two IPL titles, but they have also had a couple of below par seasons where they failed to qualify to the playoffs. In IPL 2023, CSK has performed better than the last season and if they win their last game against Delhi Capitals, they might qualify to the playoffs and might even finish in top 2.
But, since CSK’s first XI in the IPL is one of the oldest among all the teams in the tournament, they might look to release some players before the next edition of the IPL.
Here are the 3 players Chennai Super Kings might release before next IPL –
Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu had announced his retirement from the IPL towards the end of the last season itself, but then the CSK management convinced him to play for one more season and he took his retirement back.
Rayudu, in the ongoing IPL season, has mostly been used as an impact sub and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he has had one of his worst IPL seasons this year. The veteran right hander has hardly made any meaningful contribution with the bat and this might be his last season with CSK.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes was bought for a certain purpose by the CSK, as they are one of those teams in the IPL who always like to stack up their squad with domestic and overseas allrounders.
But, Stokes was unavailable for most parts of this year’s IPL as he didn’t want to risk his fitness with the Ashes coming up in a couple of months. Because of the strong commitment that Stokes has for the England test team, CSK might let Stokes go next season and look for another overseas allrounder.
Dwaine Pretorius
Dwaine Pretorius is another player whom CSK hasn’t used a whole lot this season as they have mostly gone with the spin bowling allrounders. Pretorius got just one game early on in the tournament and although he didn’t perform too badly, the composition of CSK XI is such that he didn’t get another opportunity.
One shouldn’t be surprised if the Chennai Super Kings let Pretorius go as well before the mini auction next year.
