CSK’s 2022 IPL campaign didn’t go as planned as they finished in the 2nd last position in the points table. Their poor run of form forced the skipper Ravindra Jadeja to step down from the captaincy job, and MS Dhoni was asked to take over instead.
However, the change of skipper didn’t bring a change in fortunes, as their IPL season ended at a real low. But, they will be eager to turn the tables around this year, and for that purpose, they should target the right players in the auction.
Read this blog to learn about the CSK 2023 target players.
Expected CSK Retained Players
The players that CSK retain will decide which guys they must target in the IPL 2023 auction. Here are the 5 blokes who should be CSK retained players for the 16th season of the league:
MS Dhoni 
The 41-year-young MSD has led Chennai Super Kings to 4 IPL titles. His IPL average of almost 40 and SR of around 136 are phenomenal. So, there’s every chance for CSK to retain him as a captain for the upcoming season.
Moeen Ali
Mo has been doing a great job for CSK in the last couple of seasons. His IPL strike rate of almost 144 and a bowling economy of 6.79 make him a certain choice to be retained.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad shined for CSK towards the end of the IPL 2021 season and has been quite impressive since then. He should be one of the CSK 2023 retained players.
Devon Conway
Gaikwad’s potential opening partner has done well previously for CSK in IPL. So, he should feature at the top to form a left-right opening combination.
Ravindra Jadeja
Just like MSD, Jadeja’s IPL career has been all about Chennai Super Kings. Considering the improvements in his batting, he is too good a player not to retain at this stage.
Players To Be Released by CSK for IPL 2023
It’s quite certain that CSK will release their two foreign pacers – Chris Jordan and Adam Milne. In that case, they will need to rope in some other fast bowling options for the 2023 CSK team players list. Also, they can consider releasing Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayadu.
CSK 2023 Target Players
Considering the players CSK will likely retain and release, underlying are the 5 cricketers that CSK will target for the 16th season of the Indian Premier League.
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Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes in any auction is a hot deal. Apart from being a dynamic batsman and an aggressive fast bowler, he is also a live wire in the field. He is one of the 4 most expensive foreign players in the history of IPL. He bagged 14.5 crore INR in IPL 2017 auction.
There were previously some concerns regarding his fitness, but he is giving his 100% now on the field. If CSK buys him, he will bat at the #3 position for them.
Sam Curran is another English all-rounder who could be on CSK’s radar for the 2023 season. His ability to change the game with the bat and ball makes him a go-to option for any franchise. He has played for Chennai before, so they would want him back.
His 337 IPL runs have come at an astonishing strike rate of almost 150. Also, he has taken 32 wickets in 32 IPL matches. That’s why CSK won’t want to let him go.
The tall England pacer has made a name for himself with his new ball swing and sharp bouncers. In T20 cricket, he has taken 156 wickets at an average of 21.8. His recent form has been great for England, and he looks like a great option for any IPL franchise.
He is currently suffering an injury but is expected to return to action soon. For CSK, he can be the perfect choice to open the bowling.
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Cameron Green
After 3 Englishmen on the list, here’s an Australian all-rounder. The 23-year-old Aussie has made a mark in international cricket with some blazing cameos against India. In Australia’s tour to India, he proved too hard to stop in the powerplay.
Also, his pace of bowling adds more value to his game. For CSK, he can come in as an opener who can also bowl 2 to 3 overs. In that case, CSK will either leave Conway or bat him in the middle order.
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Adam Zampa
CSK needs a specialist spinner in their team, and Zampa can fill that gap. The Australian leggie is known for his control over line and length. In the last 3 years in T20Is, Zampa has picked up 54 wickets in 45 matches with an impressive strike rate of 18.2.
Hence, Adam Zampa is the perfect option to lead CSK’s bowling in middle overs and should be one of the CSK 2023 target players.
Wrap Up
Summing up, India will likely retain their two veterans, Dhoni and Jadeja. Conway, Moeen, and Gaikwad could be the other three retentions. Whereas releasing Jordan and Milne makes room for Curran and Topley to come in.
Also, the need for a batting all-rounder can make them look for Stokes and Green, and Zampa can fit in that wrist-spinner slot for them.
