Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opined that the MS Dhoni-led CSK could opt to rope in Indian Karun Nair to replace the retired Ambati Rayudu to bolster their middle order.
The joint-most successful team in the history of the IPL, Chennai Super Kings, could also choose to go big to bring in Shahrukh Khan, who was released by Punjab Kings, but the 37-year-old spinner believes that the Chennai-based side might go for Nair instead.
“I have a feeling that they will invest it on Karun Nair. They are searching for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. Shahrukh 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,” he explained.
“So Karun Nair, folks, brace yourself to see him in yellow. I am not committing to anything, just doing a little Ravi Shastri impression,” he continued.
Ashwin went on to state that CSK skipper Dhoni is fond of players who can act as a bridge between the top and middle orders, and that Nair could fit in well at the Tamil Nadu club.
“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,” Ashwin expressed.
“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,” he added.
However, Ashwin reiterated that nothing was etched in stone and that other teams could swoop in to rope in the services of the left-handed batsman.
“He could also go to SRH, there will definitely be competition so he could go for a decent price. He has also done well in County cricket recently,” he said.
Ashwin also touched upon Nair’s mental fortitude to stay strong despite setbacks.
“He has had a tough time in the last few years. It is not easy, you score a triple century in Test cricket and all of a sudden you find yourself nowhere. That is very difficult for any person’s mental make up but he has fought it out so hats off Karun. He did well in the KPL as well so, it all looks good for him,” Ashwin concluded.
The IPL 2024 auction is set to take place on the 19th of December in Dubai, UAE.
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