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IPL 2025: 3 Players CSK Could Have Targeted Instead Of Ravichandran Ashwin In Mega Auction

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Ravichandran Ashwin for CSK [Source: @ShuhidAufridi/x.com]Ravichandran Ashwin for CSK [Source: @ShuhidAufridi/x.com]

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The Chennai Super Kings have always been brilliant in their auctions. They go in with the intention of retaining their core in most cases and succeed in doing so in most cases. The IPL 2025 auction also went in a similar fashion for the five-time IPL champions.

We have seen some brilliant buys by CSK, where the cleverly stole players at a relatively cheaper price. However, their desperation in bringing Ravichandran Ashwin was evident when they spent around INR 9.75 Cr for him during the auction. 

There has been a statement from the management that they are thinking of using Ashwin in more then one way. The fact that the experienced all-rounder can contribute with the bat besides his bowling utility makes him a unique pick up. However, could they have picked up a player at a much lesser price, suiting a similar profile. Here are three players that CSK should have targeted during the IPL 2025 auction instead of Ravi Ashwin. 

3. Manav Suthar

This young spin bowling all-rounder has recently grabbed the attention of cricket fans with his effective bowling and more than handy batting. Manav Suthar was sold for just INR 30 Lakhs to GT during the auction. Looking at the price of Suthar, CSK could have gone for him and saved themselves a fortune to invest may be in an overseas power hitter during the event.

2. Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz Ahmed [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]Shahbaz Ahmed [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]

Just like Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Ahmed could be a very effective contributor with both the bat and the ball. Ahmed has the ability to float up and down the batting line-up and also bowl during any stage of a T20 game. Ahmed was sold for INR 2.40 Cr during the IPL 2025 mega auction to Lucknow Super Giants. If CSK would have bid for him they could have got him at a price of about INR 4 Cr and invested the rest in some other area. 

1. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar [Source: @SunRisers/x.com]Washington Sundar [Source: @SunRisers/x.com]

Washington Sundar has already proven himself as an effective all-rounder in the T20 format. Much like Ashwin, Sundar can also bat anywhere in the batting order. The Indian all-rounder can also bowl in the powerplay a skill Ravi Ashwin is known for. So, Sundar would have been a near perfect replacement of Ashwin. The fact that he was sold for INR 3.2 Cr to GT during the auction indicates CSK could have got him for a much cheaper price than Ashwin.