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3 players CSK should pick in IPL trade ahead of 2020 season

Ashwin Murugan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL. They are the only side to reach the playoffs in every single season that they’ve played. Moreover, the MS Dhoni-led side have won three IPL titles and have made it to a total of seven finals.

They were brilliant till 2015 before they were banned for two years. However, ever since they’ve made a comeback, CSK have continued in the same vein. In the last couple of years, experienced players have been the one driving the team. Age isn’t on their side but they’ve got the job done.

However, there will be a couple of areas which CSK will be looking to cover ahead of next year’s IPL. Thus, here are three players they should look to pick in the trade ahead of the next season.

1. Lockie Ferguson
Lockie FergusonLockie Ferguson. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have historically been a side which loves playing with its spinners. Their gameplan has largely revolved around spin. They had a couple of quality overseas pace options last year but both Lungi Ngidi and David Willey pulled out of the entire season. Hence, they may need a quality fast bowler with the former two uncertain.

Lockie Ferguson might be a good option for CSK. The New Zealand pacer can hit the deck hard and rattle the batsmen with pace. He was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side last season. He may not have been effective as he picked up just two wickets from five games. But he has been in good form in the recent past.

Ferguson was New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in the World Cup. He bowled fast and aggressive as he picked up 21 wickets in the tournament. Hence, it may not be a bad option for CSK to make the move. He can be used aggressively and can be a great addition to the side.

2. Murugan Ashwin Ashwin Murugan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

CSK have always been a spin heavy team. They had quite a few options last season. Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner and Karn Sharma were a part of the side this year. However, with age not on Harbhajan’s side and Karn Sharma fading away, CSK may need an Indian spinner.

Murugan Ashwin has been around for the last few years and has been a regular member of the IPL since 2016. The leg-spinner played for the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) for the first two years before moving to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018. He played for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the last season. He picked up only five wickets but he was pretty economical.

Hence, he could be an option for CSK. Moreover, the Tamil Nadu leg-spinner has played under MS Dhoni. Thus, it wouldn’t be too difficult for the 28-year-old to switch teams. Moreover, he has been bowling well in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

3. Varun Aaron Varun AaronVarun Aaron. (Photo Source: Twitter)

There was a lot of excitement around Varun Aaron when he burst on to the scene early in his career. However, he seems to have faded away over the last few years. He played just a few games in the IPL earlier this year.

Playing for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Aaron played towards the fag end of the season and picked up four wickets. He was excellent with the new ball and has developed a couple of interesting deliveries which he unleashed in the IPL earlier this year.

All of CSK’s pacers bowl at a similar pace and none of them are express. Hence, Aaron could be a good addition and can be used aggressively. He could be used upfront with someone like Deepak Chahar and it may well prove to be effective.

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