IPL 2025 Auction: 3 Biggest Blunders Made By CSK

Vijay Shankar in IPL [Source: @CBMCRICKET, @talksports45/x.com]Vijay Shankar in IPL [Source: @CBMCRICKET, @talksports45/x.com]

The IPL 2025 mega auction is coming to an end and one of the few teams that have done well in the event is Chennai Super Kings. The five-time IPL champions and the most consistent team in the league had acquired most of the players they targeted and filled up most of their requirements.

Though they have picked up some of the best steal buys in the event, they did commit a few blunders. An overall evaluation of the squad gives us three prominent blunders made by the most successful team in the league.

3. Not Bidding For Aaron Hardie

Aaron Hardie has established himself as an utility all-rounder in the T20 arena. He has done well in the format in both internationals and the leagues. In his career, the young Australian all-rounder has played 77 matches and has scored 1,344 runs in them at an average of 27.42 and a strike rate of 133.46. 

Besides being a decent batter in the middle-order Hardie has also done well with the ball. He has picked up 41 wickets in 77 matches at an economy of 8.70. Hardie can be very effective with the new ball getting that little bit of swing to trouble the batters. 

The Chennai Super Kings could have benefitted from the presence of such a player. However, the management thought its better to not go after him and did not bid for him despite having INR 5.20 Cr when he came under the hammer. Ultimately he was bought for INR 1.25 Cr by Punjab Kings.

2. Picking Up Vijay Shankar

Chennai Super Kings picked up Vijay Shankar in the IPL auction for INR 1.4 Cr. This was an addition to their array of three dimensional players. However, this buy seemed a bit odd as Vijay Shankar has not yet proven himself to be an impactful player. 

In his 72 matches, Shankar has scored 1,115 runs at a strike rate of 129.80 and an average of 25.34. The Indian all-rounder has only picked up 9 wickets in 39.4 overs while conceding runs at an economy of 8.67.

CSK will probably use him as a middle order batter who can contribute with ball too. But his numbers show that he has not yet left the impact in the tournament that team is probably expecting him.

1. Not Going Hard After Will Jacks

The Chennai Super Kings did not bid for the ex-RCBian and English all-rounder Will Jacks. With Daryl Mitchell already released an utility player like Jacks could have been a valuable addition to the squad. However, the management might have thought better about not including him in the squad. 

Will Jacks was one of the prime reasons behind the dramatic comeback that RCB scripted during the second half of IPL 2024. His contributions in the top-order was of great value for them. With his ability to make game-changing contributions with both the bat and the ball, Will Jacks could have been a precious addition to the squad.