6 TNPL Players Who Could Have Fit Well In The CSK Playing XI
Chennai Super Kings are, for the first time in the history of IPL, facing the prospect of not making it to the playoffs. The overall balance of the squad is shaky, and points have been hard to come by for the franchise.
When you analyze what might have gone wrong, the fact that this squad lacks freshness and energy comes under the limelight. Every opposition is aware of what to expect from the franchise, and hence, the unpredictability has taken a backseat.
Considering Tamil Nadu is home to one of the best domestic T20 tournaments in the country, CSK could have been better off picking a few local talents. The likes of T Natarajan and Washington Sundar are products of TNPL, and CSK missing out on them is hard to believe. While the two mentioned players were already there in other franchises, CSK could have focussed on other cricketers from TNPL. We feel these six boys might have fitted well with the current CSK squad.
1.Shahrukh Khan
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 7 || Runs: 194 || Average: 27.71 || Strike Rate: 138.57
Shahrukh Khan might have been underwhelming in 2019, but the season before, he was on fire. He scored 325 runs from nine games at a strike rate of 141.3 in 2018. More than anything, Shahrukh is a brute striker of the ball, and in this format, that is very necessary. At the top of the order for CSK, he could have given the blistering starts, and momentum that is lacking at the moment.
2.Ganeshan Periyasamy
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 9 || Wickets: 21 || Average: 10.48 || Economy: 6.47
Despite it being his first season, G Periyasamy showed levels in the 2019 edition of TNPL. With his unique Malinga-esque action, batsmen found it hard to play him. He collected 21 wickets in his debut season and took the tournament by fire. Had he been in CSK, the bowling unit could have sported a spunk and a delicious edge.
3.Baba Aparajith
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 8 || Runs: 242 || Average: 40.33 || Strike Rate: 113.62
Let alone his performances in TNPL, Baba Aparajith should have been in the CSK squad this year. He had been with the team forever, and, unfortunately, he didn't get his due. A terrific top-order batsman, Baba boasts of loads of experience in domestic cricket. He is someone who can anchor an innings very well and allow the others around him to play freely. Baba is a leader on the field and could have been priceless in such a situation for CSK. The 25-year-old is also a fine off-spinner and could have partly covered for the absence of Harbhajan Singh.
4.KB Arun Karthick
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 9 || Runs: 356 || Average: 44.5 || Strike Rate: 148.95
Arun Karthick might not have helped CSK in the long-term, but for this edition, he had to be in the Yellow squad. For two seasons in a row, Arun has been in explosive form, taking almost every bowler in the park to the cleaners. While his 2019 stats are extraordinary, he was equally good in 2018. Although he prefers to play at the top of the order, the veteran can also slot in the middle-order. For the sluggish run-rate that CSK are maintaining right now, having Arun Karthick in the roster could have resolved many issues.
5.C Hari Nishanth
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 10 || Runs: 322 || Average: 40.25 || Strike Rate: 119.7
C Hari Nishant made it to the Tamil Nadu squad after two successive good outings in TNPL. While in 2018, he made 250 runs from 9 games, he bettered his record with 322 runs from 10 games in 2019. A left-hander, Hari plays the pacers very well and can take on the spinners if required. He is a top-order batsman and would have been a good replacement for Suresh Raina. Not to forget, just like Raina, he is also a good off-spinner and can roll his arm over if required.
6.Ramadoss Alexander
2019 TNPL Stats - Matches: 9 || Wickets: 13 || Average: 12.85 || Economy: 5.33
R Alexander is yet another left-arm spinner who has impressed in the TNPL. He is a good T20 bowler, who boasts of excellent accuracy. The way he cramps up the batsmen and mounts pressure on them is a good sight to watch. Under MSD, R Alexander would have been an asset for CSK.