IPL 2022: 3 Teams that might target Deepak Chahar in the mega auction

Deepak Chahar has been one of the standout players in the last four seasons of IPL,since being picked up by Chennai Super Kings in the mega auction in 2018. His impressive numbers even earned him an Indian call up as well. The right arm seamer has been very consistent with his lines and lengths upfront and the fact that he can swing it both ways make him a very potent wicket-taking option.

Over the years, he has developed the ability to execute yorkers at the death and has added a lot of variety to his bowling. He has started winning games on his own with the bat down the order and does have a cool head on his shoulders. Playing under MS Dhoni is one of the best things that can happen to a bowler as he gets a lot to learn and the results are visible for the fast bowler as well.

Since making his IPL debut in 2016, Chahar has gone on to pick up 59 wickets in 63 games at a decent economy rate of 7.80. The 29-year-old has also started to make a big case for himself in the Indian colours as well. Meanwhile, he wasn’t retained by the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Here are 3 teams that might target Deepak Chahar in IPL 2022 mega auction: 

1. Chennai Super Kings

There is no doubt, the defending champions will definitely work on bringing Deepak back into the mix as he has served them really well over the years. Chennai Super Kings opted to retain Ravindra Jadeja(16 Cr), MS Dhoni(12 Cr), Moeen Ali(8 Cr) and Ruturaj Gaikwad(6 Cr) ahead of the mega auction and with the number of big names on the side, retaining the seamer was always going to be difficult.

However, considering the strategy of the CSK over the years, the franchise has always wanted to retain its core and Chahar has proved to be among the set of players as well. One of the departments, that have been a little weaker for the Chennai Super Kings has been the Indian fast bowlers and now with Chahar becoming reliable at the bowling, the CSK side will battling hard in the auction to get him back.

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad has over the years been a bowling-dependent unit and has stacked their squad with seasoned campaigners, who have been doing really well. They have always made some wise choices and the 2016 title-winning franchise will no longer be led by their talisman David Warner. Instead, the franchise has opted for Kane Williamson as the skipper alongside Abdul Samad and Umran Malik as the other two retentions.

Sunrisers have failed to retain Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well which means that they can go for a like to like replacement in the form of Chahar. Deepak’s swing up front combined with the pace of Umran Malik will be one of the deadly combinations and can strike early from both ends. Certainly, the franchise will have their eyes on the 29-year-old seamer in the mega auction.

3. Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals do not have any bowlers in their retentions ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction as they have let go of the likes of Jofra Archer, who can be a match-winner with the ball, owing to his injury concerns. The Indian fast bowling unit of Rajasthan have lacked quality mostly and backing Jaydev Unadkat or Varun Aaron haven’t been working well for them. They should instead, try investing in one of their local boy, Chahar who knows the conditions really well.

Chahar has led the Rajasthan side in the domestic tournaments and he can provide an added luxury compared to the other bowlers. The owners of the Royals side have changed which means, they would be ready to go all out for a player they choose to be in their circle. Chahar will be an ideal option for the Royals and he should be one of the targets for the franchise.