'Likely To Happen For 13th Time": Sunil Gavaskar's Big Prediction For IPL 2024

Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar was very impressed with Chennai Super Kings' activities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and he made a huge prediction regarding the MS Dhoni-led side. Gavaskar said that CSK lacked a little in bowling during the IPL 2023 but their additions have made them stronger in that department. The former India opener also lauded the team management for balancing youth and experience in the side and backed them to reach the play-offs. The five-time winners are among the most celebrated IPL sides and they have reached the play-offs on 12 occasions. 

“If you see the purchases they did at the auction table, the aspects they had to strengthen, it seemed like they lacked a little in bowling last year and in batting also they had to strengthen the middle order slightly after Ambati Rayudu's retirement, they have done all that. They have a good mix of youth and experience,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“So, I feel CSK will definitely come in the top four as always. You cannot say any team ‘definitely yes' as favourites. However, the way the Chennai Super Kings have performed for so many years, they have qualified in 12 of the 16 editions. So it's likely to happen for the 13th time,” he added.

Here's the list of all the players bought by CSK at IPL Auction 2024:

1. Rachin Ravindra (Rs 1.8 crore)

2, Shardul Thakur (Rs 4 crore)

3. Drayl Mitchell (Rs 14 crore)

4. Sameer Rizvi (Rs 8.4 crore)

5. Mustafizur Rahman (Rs 2 crore)

6. Avanish Rao Aravelly (Rs 20 lakh)

List of retained players by Chennai Super Kings:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Dwaine Pretorius, Maheesh Theekshana, Prashant