IPL 2023: 5 CSK players who could be benched throughout the season

The most successful franchise in IPL history, Chennai Super Kings didn’t have a good outing last season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They could secure only four wins in 14 league games and finished in the penultimate position in the points table. The captaincy conundrum between MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja also affected their performances. However, the franchise has secured the services of Ben Stokes, Kyle Jamieson and Ajinkya Rahane in the 2023 auction. Furthermore, Deepak Chahar’s presence can also help them prosper well in the forthcoming season. CSK now have a squad of players with an abundance of experience in the shorter format. As a result, there can be few young players, who are likely to warm the benches in IPL 2023. 5 CSK players who could be benched throughout IPL 2023 1. Shaik Rasheed The breakout star from Andhra Pradesh, Shaik Rasheed was impressive for India in the U-19 World Cup 2022. Coming at No.3, Rasheed played an anchor role for the Colts in Blue scoring 201 runs in four innings at an average of 50.25, with two fifties. Infact, the 18-year-old hit 50 in the final, and helped India lift the U-19 World Cup title. However, things have gone downhill since then in terms of his form in domestic cricket. In 10 first-class innings, Rasheed has garnered only 211 runs. His form in the other two formats has also been average in limited appearances. Rasheed was bought by CSK for his base price of 20 Lakhs in the IPL 2023 auction. Currently, the team already has two options for number three in form of Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu. Furthermore, Rahane will be preferred over the youngster in this position. 2. Bhagath Varma Kanumuri Bhagath Varma was initially bought by CSK in the IPL 2022 auction. However, he could not represent the franchise in any of the games. Afterwards, he was released from the team’s roster ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. Nevertheless, the Chennai-based franchise bought back Bhagath for his base price of 20 Lakhs in the auction. Interestingly, the 24-year-old made his T20 debut for Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022. In five T20 games, Bhagath bagged two wickets at an average of 32, with an efficient economy of 5.81. His not so great performances in the domestic circuit and competition in the side for a spin all-rounder might rule him out of representing CSK yet again in 2023. 3. Subhranshu Senapati The elegant batter, Subhranshu Senapati is the captain of the Odisha team in the domestic circuit. He made his first-class debut in 2016 and forayed into other two formats in the subsequent year. Senapati holds an average of 30+ across all formats, with 21 fifties and seven centuries. In particular, the 26-year-old has garnered 817 runs in 30 T20 innings at an average of 30.25, with four fifties. Senapati was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2023 auction due to his impressive form in the domestic circuit. However, just like the last season, the Odisha batter might run out of luck in finding a place in CSK XI. This is due to the presence of experienced cricketers like Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali in the middle-order. 4. Ajay Mandal Representing Chhattisgarh since 2016, Ajay Mandal has been a key player for the team across all formats. He is a left-arm spinner and an able batter, who has proved to be valuable in pressure situations. Apart from being a consistent wicket-taker, Ajay is known to produce clutch knocks to help the team prevail against big teams. So far, Ajay has amassed 1,211 runs and scalped 96 wickets in 26 first-class matches. However, the talented spinner has been average in the T20 format, with 246 runs and 28 wickets in 34 appearances. Ajay was bought by CSK for his base price of 20 Lakhs, due to him being the highest wicket-taker (24) for Chhattisgarh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. However, the spinner will face tough competition to make an entry into the XI, due to the plethora of bowling all-rounders. 5. Nishant Sindhu Nishant Sindhu made his name in the U19 World Cup while representing the Indian team. He accumulated 140 runs and took six wickets in five games. Along with Shaik Rasheed, he also hit a half-century in the final to pave the way for India to win their fifth title. The left-arm bowling all-rounder has been terrific for Haryana in the first-class format. He has 669 runs and 15 wickets in nine appearances. However, he has 90 runs and only five wickets in eight T20 games. Nishant was bought by the franchise for 60 Lakhs, after a bidding war with KKR. However, 2023 might prove to be the season, wherein he will hone his skills off the field. Currently, the team already has senior spin pros like Jadeja, Moeen and Maheesh Theekshana, who are likely to be the starters.

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IPL 2023: 5 CSK players who could be benched throughout the season

MS Dhoni doesn't believe in changing his playing XI much and hence, these five players might have to warm the bench for the entire season.

2. Bhagath Varma

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