We have the mega auction coming up next year. IPL teams, as well as fans, look forward to it as it is the mega auction that determines how strong or weak a team is going to be for the next few seasons. Every franchise must wisely choose their players in a mega auction as even a minute mistake could dent their chances of winning a title.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have traditionally looked to retail their core every time and tend to avoid having a complete overhaul. In the last mega auction in 2018, they retained their main players and went on to win the title that year. However, the upcoming mega auctions in 2022 is going to be a headache for CSK.

While most of their players are on the wrong side of their 30s, they don’t have too many options left to retain. Assuming that they would retain their key all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the CSK management would have to use their Right To Match (RTM) cards very wisely. As they would most likely be retaining Jadeja and Curran, we shall be taking a look at 5 players on whom CSK could use RTM in IPL 2022 mega auction.

5 Players on whom CSK could use RTM in IPL 2022 Mega Auction

1) MS Dhoni

The “Thala” MS Dhoni has been CSK‘s greatest player of all time. He has been leading CSK since the inception and is their most loyal player. Dhoni is incomplete without CSK and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that even CSK are incomplete without their “Captain Cool” MS Dhoni.

People reading this must be puzzled as to how could someone like Dhoni be featured in an RTM list? Shouldn’t he be the first player to be retained by the franchise? Well, as harsh as it may sound, Dhoni hasn’t been at his best since 2020. He hasn’t been able to time the ball like he used to.

This would prompt the CSK management to retain Dhoni via RTM instead of directly retaining him. It wouldn’t be really wise to spend a large sum of money and retain Dhoni, who seems way past his prime. Thus we might see the legendary superstar go into the auction pool for the first time since 2008.

2) Moeen Ali

After engaging themselves in a bidding war, CSK finally managed to get Moeen Ali for Rs. 7 crore in the IPL 2021 auction. It was a move that was questioned by one and all. However, Moeen Ali repaid the faith shown by the CSK management and looked in sublime touch in the IPL 2021 season.

He not only chipped in with valuable cameos but also bowled tight spells and was ready economical with the ball. Moeen Ali is a complete package in the shortest format of the game. He can bash spinners in the middle overs with the bat and can also be handy as a bowler and bowl miser spells.

This would tempt CSK to use their RTM card and get Moeen Ali back in the mega auction in 2022. CSK can still RTM one overseas player, even if they do retain Sam Curran. Moeen Ali provides a lot of balance and thus, he would be one of the first names in the list of players the CSK management would want to RTM.

3) Deepak Chahar

It is safe to say that Deepak Chahar has been CSK’s silent assassin over the last few seasons. He has been their best Indian bowler for quite a while now. He seldom disappoints the Chennai fans.

CSK skipper MS Dhoni has always trusted him. Chahar has taken the most number of wickets by a CSK pacer since 2018. He was superb in the latest edition as well and took 8 wickets in the 7 games.

Chahar is certainly going to play for CSK in the next season as well. However, CSK might not be able to retain him and hence, they would look to use their RTM card and get Chahar back in the mega auction of 2022. Besides, CSK always lacked a good Indian pacer and when they finally have one, they wouldn’t let go of him that easily.

4) Ruturaj Gaikwad

For a team that has been referred to as the “Dad’s Army”, they have groomed a bright prospect like Ruturaj Gaikwad really well. Gaikwad is of the most talented players in the domestic circuit. Despite having a string of low scores in his first few IPL games, he was backed by Dhoni and the CSK management.

He then repaid the faith shown on him and ended IPL 2020 on a high. After having a slow start to IPL 2021, he was again amongst the runs. He has been of the best-uncapped players in the last two seasons.

As the retention rules enable a franchise to retain two uncapped players, CSK could happily use their RTM card and get Gaikwad back. He looks to be the next big thing for CSK and they shouldn’t let go of him. Besides, he is their future and he could very well go on to be one of their key players.

5) Krishnappa Gowtham

The Karnataka all-rounder is a player any team would want in their T20 XI. He can hit the ball a long way and can finish games with the bat. He is superb with the ball as well and has a knack for picking crucial wickets, what more could you ask for?

Gowtham represented the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2018 and 2019 and then played for Punjab in 2020. CSK then got him in the IPL 2021 auction for a whopping Rs. 9.25 crore. It was shocking to see him warm the bench for CSK this season.

However, with the mega auction coming, every team is looking for an explosive all-rounder. CSK wouldn’t want to let go of Gowtham. They would like to use their RTM card and get him back. Besides, his style of play suits the conditions in Chennai.