'Brace yourself ': R Ashwin advocates star player as an ideal Ambati Rayudu substitute in CSK

The Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) auctions are rapidly approaching, with the main event taking place in Dubai on December 19. One of the teams that needs to tick a lot of boxes in preparation for the IPL season is MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Chennai broke the five-trophy record held by the Mumbai Indians last year, but they had to let go of a number of players who were instrumental in their victory. Ambati Rayudu is one such player; he retired following the IPL 2023 final, leaving Chennai to fill his void. 

3 things you need to know

• IPL 2024 Auction to take place on December 19, 2023
• Almost 600 players will be a part of the IPL 2024 Auction
• GT has the highest remaining purse of Rs. 38.15 crore

Also Read | Jos Buttler opens up on disappointing World Cup

CSK needs replacement of Ambato Rayudu

Ahead of the start of the 17th IPL season, the five-time champions, CSK, are missing a batter who can bat at number four or five and showcase his mettle against both seamers and spinners. The need is dire since Ambati Rayudu has hung up his boots and Ben Stokes has been released. It's interesting to note that they still have players like Shivam Dube and Moeen Ali in their ranks, but it is expected that Chennai will try to fill Rayudu's spot in the upcoming auction.

Also Read | 165 players to go under hammer in WPL auction

Ravichandran Ashwin comes up with the suggestion

Former CSK player Ravichandran Ashwin made the following suggestions regarding Rayudu's replacement: Karun Nair and Shahrukh Khan. The off-spinner, who was born in Chennai, added that the former would fit CSK's strategy better.

"They (CSK) are searching for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. Shahrukh (Khan) is not a replacement for him at No.4. I have no idea who they are going to play in that position this season. They might try a left-hand option but if you look at CSK's track record, they have never gone for an unknown commodity. They have never played anybody who just did well in their first season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So Karun Nair, folks, brace yourself to see him in yellow," said Ashwin on his Youtube channel.

The Rajasthan Royals elaborated on why Nair is the perfect fit for the Super Kings and what skills he will carry along.

"He is somebody who can play spin well, who could sweep and reverse sweep. MS Dhoni loves it when there is a batter who can play between the top order and the middle order in the No.4 slot, especially in Chennai. I feel Karun Nair is perfect for that. I haven't really seen Manish Pandey play spin too much in Chennai but Karun Nair, remember has a triple hundred in a Test match played in Chennai," Ashwin added.

Chennai has an incredible purse of 31.40 crores going into the auctions; they need to purchase just six players in the bidding war. But in addition to a strong hitter in the middle order, they also need to target some pacers at the auction table.