IPL 2019: 3 underrated players who can help CSK in retaining the title

2. Shardul Thakur

The Maharashtra born right-arm seamer has been retained by CSK for the upcoming season of IPL. Shardul Thakur will be a part of an inexperienced but potent seam attack comprising Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi, and Dwayne Bravo. He is likely to partner Bravo in the death overs, with Chahar and Ngidi operating with the new ball.

The 27-year-old has represented India in 7 T20s and 5 ODIs. A high percentage of Thakur's deliveries are back-of-length balls which aim to skid off the surface. He also uses cross-seam deliveries to hit the splice of the bat, and owns a slower off-cutter to exploit slow pitches (such as the one in Chennai).

Last season, in the first Qualifier Thakur scalped the vital wicket of SRH captain Kane Williamson to reduce them to 36/3 within 5 overs. Though Thakur can be a tad expensive, he has a knack of picking up wickets.

If he shines, CSK could well win their 4th IPL trophy.