Chennai Super Kings has to be cautious in its outlay

CSK is one of the four franchises to have retained the maximum quota of three players, alongside defending champion Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

The triumvirate of former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja have been signed as a part of its retention policy for Rs 15 crore, Rs 11 crore and Rs 7 crore respectively, amounting for a little over 40% in the total purse of Rs 80 crore. 

Despite disclosing its intent to retain the core squad, there is no way the 2011 title-holder can give way to sentiments in bringing its key members from yesteryears. 

With just Rs 47 crore left in its kitty, it would be difficult for CSK to be extravagant with sides like Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals opting to have a huge 

purse for the two-day event in Bengaluru. 

The boys in yellow have always banked on overseas openers, right from Matthew Hayden in the early editions to the destructive duo of Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum in its last two seasons. 

Though McCullum and Smith are eligible for the ‘Right To Match’ cards, all that matters is the price tag that comes along with them. Even if the RTM move fails to materialise for either of the two, the side can still spend a manageable amount in roping in other explosive openers who have put up a cheaper base price. 

Experienced Indian campaigners like Murali Vijay, KL Rahul and Gautam Gambhir will be up for grabs in the auction. One striking positive for the ‘Lions’ has been its stability in the middle order over the years. 

The likes of Michael Hussey, Subramaniam Badrinath and Faf du Plessis have held the innings together in crunch situations, stressing on the importance of using the ‘RTM’ for the South African skipper. 

Dhoni has also recently expressed the team’s desire to buy local lads during an event held in the city last week.  The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, Washington Sundar and T Natrajan could also be on its radar. 

CSK’s bowling department was never star-studded, with different bowlers making crucial contributions at various junctures of the season. It has mostly been about unearthing raw talents from the domestic circuit in the recent years with experienced Dwayne Bravo remaining a valuable asset, bagging the ‘Purple Cap’ twice. 

Head coach Stephen Fleming has always been a big fan of investing in exciting Australian and Kiwi fast bowlers. Many players have come from the Australian continent, Lockie Ferguson being the latest import. 

Fleming would be looking at Andrew Tye, Ferguson and Pat Cummins as potential options for that slot. The exuberant Indian duo of Jaydev Undakat and Shardul Thakur thrived under his guidance for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the last edition of IPL. 

Mohit Sharma, who was then a rookie, topped the charts for the leading wicket takers in IPL Season 6. These are some of the names which would be doing the rounds in the CSK ‘Think tank’ meetings.