IPL 2020: 4 players CSK could have bought instead of retaining Kedar Jadhav

Chennai Super Kings retaining Kedar Jadhav ahead of 2020 IPL auction was one of the unexpected decisions given the player’s below-par performance and his astronomical price tag. The Indian all-rounder who was bought for whopping INR 7.80 crore at 2018 IPL auction, hasn’t made much of an impact at Chennai so far except his late cameo in the 2018 IPL season opener against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium and his valiant half-century against the same opposition at the same venue last year.

The game against Mumbai in the 2018 IPL season opener turned out to be Jadhav’s last of that season as he was ruled out of the remainder of that edition due to a hamstring injury and was later replaced by Englishman David Willey.

Despite playing 14 matches for the three-time winners last season, the 34-year-old managed just 162 runs at an average of 18.00. Although he was expected to be released ahead of the IPL 2020 Auction, the Chennai team management has provided another opportunity for Jadhav to justify his price tag.

Given that there were several domestic talents who were up for grabs, CSK should have released the under-performing Kedar Jadhav and instead gone for a proven talent at 2020 IPL auction.

On that note, let us look at four players Chennai Super Kings could have bought at 2020 IPL auction instead of retaining Kedar Jadhav ahead of 13th season:

4. Jalaj Saxena

The experienced campaigner who made his First-class debut back in December 2005, unfortunately, couldn’t make it big in the IPL despite his exploits across formats in the domestic circuit. Saxena began his IPL career with four-time winners Mumbai Indians in 2013 where he did not get an opportunity to don the Blue jersey throughout season six.

The 33-year-old was ruled out of the next edition due to finger injury and was eventually replaced by West Indies opener Lendl Simmons. Saxena, who has also been a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore (2015) and Delhi Capitals (2019) is yet to play an IPL game in his career despite being a part of three different franchises. He was released by the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit ahead of 2020 auction where he went unsold.

At INR 20 lakhs, it would have been a smart investment for Chennai Super Kings given the Indore-born player’s all-round credentials. Saxena could have provided CSK with the vital runs in middle overs apart from contributing with his vital off-spin. Unfortunately, his wait for the much-deserved IPL debut continues having once again gone unsold at the auction.