The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is still a few months away but the experts have begun speculating on the playoff scenarios. Former India captain and batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels that defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will have no problem in qualifying for the knockouts once again.
One of the most successful teams in the tournament history, CSK have previously featured in 12 playoffs so far. Last year, they ended second on the table with 17 points and made it to the knockouts. They went on to defeat Gujarat Titans twice – in the first qualifier and then in the finals – to win the record-equaling fifth title.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar highlighted the purchases CSK made at the players’ auction last year, in Dubai. The 5-time champions roped in the likes of Darryl Mitchell, Mustafizur Rahman and Rachin Ravindra as their overseas players while the list of Indian players included Shardul Thakur, Sameer Rizvi and Avanish Rao Aravelly.
Gavaskar opined that the defending champions have ‘a good mix of youth and experience’ which will help them to make a top-four finish in the forthcoming edition.
“If you see the purchases they did at the auction table, the aspects they had to strengthen, it seemed like they lacked a little in bowling last year and in batting also they had to strengthen the middle order slightly after Ambati Rayudu’s retirement, they have done all that. They have a good mix of youth and experience,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“So, I feel CSK will definitely come in the top four as always. You cannot say any team ‘definitely yes’ as favourites. However, the way the Chennai Super Kings have performed for so many years, they have qualified in 12 of the 16 editions. So it’s likely to happen for the 13th time,” he added.
Despite concerns over the fitness of certain key players, Gavaskar remains faithful to CSK’s prospects, citing the depth and versatility in the squad.
“I feel they are covered because they have options. Shardul Thakur getting reacquired has removed the concern slightly about whether Deepak Chahar will play the entire tournament because Shardul Thakur can take his place,” said Gavaskar.
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