Ravichandran Ashwin spent seven seasons from 2009 to 2015 with Chennai Super Kings. In a way, the franchise was more of a home for him. This can be further supported by the fact that the experienced spinner hails from Chennai too. However, following the eighth edition of the league, the finger spinner was released from CSK and was roped in by the now-dissolved team Rising Pune Giants. But as fate would have it, Ashwin changed four teams since his snub from CSK. Having spent the last three seasons with Rajasthan Royals, the off-spinner was not part of their retention plans this time, which gave his original franchise a chance to get him back to where it all began for him.
It was not a random purchase. The franchise had to beat three teams including Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Finally, CSK roped him in for INR 9.75 crore. Ashwin will join his national team spin partner, Ravindra Jadeja in the IPL franchise which has decided to go spin-heavy this time. In addition to the Indian spin duo, the Chennai-based team has purchased Afghanistan’s rookie spinner, Noor Ahmad too, which clearly alludes to their plan of exploiting Chennai’s spin-friendly pitches.
CSK’s Head Coach, Stephen Fleming called the purchase a ‘homecoming’ for him and also revealed their plans to use their spinners during different stages of the game.
“It’s a bit of a homecoming for Ashwin, but he’s a world-class bowler. It’s not so much the price – you look at how someone fits in, and there’s an emotional attachment for Ashwin with Chennai, so it’s a nice fit. He has still got a very good skillset; his numbers are fantastic. He’s obviously towards the latter part of his career, but the experience he brings, he’s handy with the bat, and we think we can use him in a number of ways.” Fleming said on Ashwin’s purchase.
But the team has also done their planning for the pitches which will not offer plenty to spinners. Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana, known also as the Modern day Malinga, will get a crack at the batters on such pitches, especially in the death overs.
“The Noor Ahmad pick was looking more at the middle [overs] to attack. So if we do get turning conditions, then we’ve got an opportunity to keep taking wickets. We’ve got [Matheesha] Pathirana at the end, which is the death aspect.”
For a defending champion, CSK were awfully underwhelming in the last season. However, as per their coach, they aim to be more attacking with their bowling this time.
“We’ve just identified that the way the game is going, your bowling has to be really specific, and you have to take wickets to slow teams down. And if you’re just trying to contain, then some of the hitting power of players these days will just take the game away from you. So we’ve tried to be smart with our options given our retained players and add some variation, which maybe we lacked a little bit last year.”
New Zealand all-rounder, Rachin Ravindra, was also one of the team’s purchases on day one. Despite being the highest run-getter against India in the recent Test tour and striking at 160 for CSK in the previous season, there was not much murmur around him. CSK roped him in for just INR 4 crore, without any resistance from the other sides. When asked if they were surprised not to see more teams wanting Ravindra, the CSK head coach said,
“Yeah, we were. We thought Rachin, given his success in the Test series that often counts, the performances leading up to an IPL… but we obviously experienced the IPL with him last year, and to pick him up at a what I think is a low price, and continue his development.”
Fleming said that the young cricketer’s skillset matches that of Jadeja but they would be looking to develop him as his replacement for the future.
“He could be a player with that skill set just same as Jadeja at the moment, but looking forward, there could be an opportunity. So if his development continues, he’s a very silky player, and we’re really happy to have him at that price. We’re happy to have him full stop.” he said.
CSK have INR 15.6 crore left in their purse and have 13 players left to buy. But having done the shopping their main players, they will be fine with the amount they have.
