IPL 2023 : 3 Bowlers CSK might target as Deepak Chahar's backup at auction

Deepak Chahar is one of the fastest growing fast bowlers in the Indian cricketing circles. He has featured in 24 T20Is and bagged 29 wickets at an economy of 8.17. Talking about the cash-rich league, the 30-year-old has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings’ bowling set-up. He has been entrusted to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball and has done it with perfection. Chahar has featured in 63 IPL games and bagged 59 wickets at an economy of 7.8. Besides his exploits with the ball, the Agra-born is a useful contributor with the bat and has smashed 79 runs at a strike rate of 138.60.

CSK went all guns blazing to sign Chahar at the 2022 mega auction and eventually acquired his services at a staggering sum of INR 14 crore. However, the big investment could not bear fruit in the 16th IPL edition as the Indian pacer was ruled out of the entire tournament due to a back injury.

Chahar has been lately plagued by injuries quite often. He was one of the stand-by players of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 but he could not fly to Australia after hurting his back and hip. Even in the recently concluded ODI series against Bangladesh, he suffered a hamstring injury in the second match and is currently recovering from the same.

With Chahar struggling with injury concerns frequently, the Chennai management would look to sign quality seamers at the marquee auction that could fill the ace pacer’s boots if he is unavailable in the forthcoming season. 

Here are three bowlers CSK might target as Deepak Chahar's backup at IPL Auction:

3. Sandeep Warrier

Sandeep Warrier has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. He has featured in 69 List-A matches and picked up 83 wickets at an economy of 5.38. The 31-year-old has fared well in the shortest format too, bagging 62 scalps in 68 games at an economy of 7.20.

Warrier has been a rich vein of form with the ball of late. He was the wrecker-in-chief for Tamil Nadu in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, bagging 10 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 6.01. 

Like Chahar, Warrier can make the ball talk at the start of the innings and has been a strike force in the domestic arena. Given the Thrissur-born is in top form, the Chennai franchise could look to add him to their arsenal. Moreover, the right-arm pacer has shown his versatility to bowl at the fag end of the innings too, making him a valuable addition to a side. Therefore, CSK might raise their paddle to sign the ace seamer at the upcoming auction.