IPL 2018 auction: Top 3 bargains for Chennai Super Kings

The IPL auction has been the key feature of the tournament since its origin and has often decided a team’s fate for that year tournament.

The event was a roller-coaster ride for the franchises which tested the attributes of patience and grit of the bidders. The event showed a trend shift away from purchasing big-name foreign stars, in favour of upcoming players from India and overseas.

Chennai Super Kings, coming back after a two-year suspension following spot-fixing and betting allegations, struck to their usual methods. It continued its patented approach of retaining its core.

Unlike other franchises' lavish spending, CSK used its purse wisely. The management bought 25 players into their squad spending just ₹73.5 Crore (the least amount spent by a franchise in the auction).

Here are the top three players which CSK procured at a bargain of a priceprice.

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#3 Harbhajan Singh (₹2 Crore – Base Price)

The 'turbanator' will act as Ashwin's replacement in the CSK side

CSK failed to acquire its star-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin into their squad. But it managed to get the veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh at just over one-fourth of the ₹7.60 crore that Kings XI Punjab paid for Ashwin

The ‘turbanator’ has picked 127 wickets in 136 matches at an eye-catching economy rate of 6.96 over the last IPL decade. Harbhajan is also a handy batsman lower down the order as he enjoys batting and is capable of hitting the big shots in the death overs.

Above all, Bhajji has vast IPL experience and has given his team crucial breakthroughs in crunch situations in the past. CSK would be hoping for several all-round performances from him in the upcoming IPL season.

#2 Imran Tahir (₹1 Crore – Base Price)

Imran Tahir is the current World No. 1 bowler in ODIs

When most of the South African players were purchased at eye-popping bids, CSK managed to steal the top-ranked ODI bowler at its base price in the auction.

The leggie has picked up 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches with an average of 21.11 in his short IPL career. In the last season, Tahir proved his knack by picking up 18 wickets in 12 matches playing for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant.

Tahir’s googly has been his biggest weapon in the limited over game. The hardworking 38-year-old has left no stone unturned to match the fitness level of the younger players of this generation (showcased by his signature celebrations which are longer than most fast-bowlers' run-ups).

Clearly, the leggie would like to continue his international form in the IPL as well.

#1 Faf du Plessis (₹1.6 Crore)

Faf du Plessis is a versatile player who can bat at any position

The South African captain Faf du Plessis will once again wear the yellow of the Super Kings after CSK’s management used the RTM card on him.

The right-handed batsman has been an active part of the CSK’s IPL journey since 2011. He has scored over 300 in the three consecutive seasons of IPL (2012, 2013 and 2014).

He is the frontline middle order batsman of South Africa and has the knack to build innings. Faf is one of the most consistent batsmen in world cricket and also one of the finest fielders playing today. Clearly, he seems to be a perfect T20 package for CSK this upcoming season.