Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Chennai Super Kings will definitely target KL Rahul in IPL 2025 mega auction. Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giant ahead of the auction and he will definitely attract a huge bid from many franchises.
Rahul led LSG to playoffs in IPL 2022 and 2023 but the team could not make it to the last four in the previous edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Rahul has scored 2265 runs in 72 T20I matches at an impressive average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.13.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings retained skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube and former captain MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025.
“What all do they need? I feel they need a successor to Dhoni, a wicketkeeper-batter and it’s great if they get an Indian. Everyone is saying, let me also say – he is more than 30 years old, is going to be a father very soon and everyone has written him off as well, so he is right for Chennai, that’s KL Rahul. So they will definitely go for KL Rahul,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator feels CSK will also be interested in Shreyas Iyer, who has been released by KKR along with wicket-keeper batters such as Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant.
“We can’t say for how long they will go but they will try to acquire him because the franchise still has ₹55 crore to be spent. So if they can get an Indian like him, Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant for ₹10-15 crore, they are going to try. They might think about Shreyas Iyer for some time because they will need Indian batters to bat in those conditions,” he observed.
Meanwhile, Chopra believes the five-time champions will target their former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the auction.
“This team has had a problem with spin. They didn’t have a very good Indian spinner apart from Jadeja. I think Ravichandran Ashwin. They will go after Anna. He is also the director of CSK’s academy and started his IPL career with this team only. This might be his last cycle,” he said (11:55).
Chopra feels England all-rounder Sam Curran could also be on CSK’s radar in the auction.
“Ashwin might not be playing cricket, at least not the IPL, after three years. They go more towards swing bowlers in fast bowling. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick Sam Curran if they get him cheap because I feel Sam Curran’s best can come for this franchise only,” Chopra observed.
IPL 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.
