Chennai Super Kings (CSK) relied on their well-balanced unit to become the first franchise to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final. Their run to the final included some fine individual performances from their prolific openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, all-round performance from Ravindra Jadeja, and bowling brilliance from Tushar Deshpande.
The solid opening pair of Gaikwad and Conway accumulated 774 runs in 14 innings of the IPL 2023, the second-highest this season. The four-time champions retained the opening pair ahead of the IPL 2023 mini-auction. The retention fee for the dashing Indian opener is INR 6,00,00,000, while the New Zealand player fetches INR 1,00,00,000 annually.
Gaikwad recorded his best season for CSK in 2023. The stylish right-handed batter has hit four half-centuries to accumulate 564 runs at an average of 43.38 in the ongoing season. He accumulated these runs with the help of 43 boundaries and 29 sixes at a strike rate of 146.88. The value of each of his 29 sixes so far in the lucrative tournament is INR 147,783, and his per-match fee is INR 42,85,714.
Conway, on the other hand, continues to fill in the shoes of Faf du Plessis in the CSK franchise as a reliable overseas batter. He has featured more regularly for the franchise in the ongoing season and cemented his place at the top order. The New Zealand batter is the highest run-scorer for CSK in IPL 2023, accumulating 625 runs at an average of over 52. He has hit six half-centuries, laced with 73 boundaries and 16 sixes. He has more than justified his per-match fee of INR 714,285. The value of each six in the IPL is INR 44,642.
Meanwhile, Jadeja has made his presence felt with his all-round prowess for CSK. He has contributed some crucial cameos to accumulate 175 runs while batting in the middle order and picked up 19 scalps from 15 matches. He has provided the franchise with crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs and is the second-highest wicket-taker for CSK in the ongoing season. The prolific all-rounder was retained by CSK for a whooping sum of INR 16,00,00,000 and has a per-match fee of INR 1,14,28,571.
Emerging fast bowler Tushar Deshpande has been a steal deal for CSK at a retention fee of INR 20,00,000. He featured in only two matches for CSK after the franchise bought him for his base price in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. However, in the ongoing season, he has turned out to be the most successful bowler for CSK by picking up 21 wickets in 15 matches.
