The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a five-time IPL champion, is renowned for its strategic investments in players, leading to multiple trophies. However, despite their successful auction strategies, CSK has had a few missteps over the years, investing in big names who failed to deliver as expected. Here are three such players who turned out to be disappointing picks for CSK.
1. Ben Stokes – ₹16.25 crore (2023)
England’s star all-rounder, Ben Stokes, was one of the most talked-about buys in the 2023 IPL auction. With his stellar performances in international cricket, including heroics in the 2019 ICC World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup, expectations were high. However, his stint with CSK was far from impressive. Stokes managed to score just 15 runs in 2 matches and gave away an expensive over of 18 runs. With his focus shifting towards red-ball cricket, the investment of ₹16.25 crore didn’t bring the desired returns for CSK, making this pick one of their biggest auction blunders.
2. Kedar Jadhav – ₹7.8 crore (2018)
Kedar Jadhav was picked up by CSK for a substantial ₹7.8 crore in the 2018 mega auction, with hopes pinned on his all-round capabilities. However, Jadhav struggled to find his form during his time with the franchise. Across 23 matches, he scored only 248 runs at a strike rate of 96.49 and failed to take any wickets. Jadhav’s underwhelming performance led to his release in 2021, making his tenure with CSK far from memorable.
3. Andrew Flintoff – ₹7.6 crore (2009)
Andrew Flintoff, the fiery all-rounder from England, was another high-profile buy who didn’t live up to expectations. In 2009, CSK signed Flintoff for a significant ₹7.6 crore, hoping to utilize his aggressive playing style. However, Flintoff’s IPL career was short-lived, playing only 3 matches, scoring 62 runs, and taking just 2 wickets. The investment didn’t pay off, and his stint with CSK is remembered as one of the less successful moves in the franchise’s history.