(Cricket news) With the IPL mega auction in two days we need to take a look at what these five teams need to do in the auction and how they can rectify their mistakes from last season and the previous auctions.

1) Chennai Super Kings

Retained: MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali

Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent side over the past few years and many experts have often criticised their auction policy of selecting experience over youth but this strategy has paid off a lot as they were crowned champions last year. This year they have gone with the theme of continuity and will most likely go all out for their former players. One area the CSK management will look to invest heavily is finding a top order batsman to open with Ruturaj Gaikwad most preferably a left handed batter. Quinton de Kock, the South African wicket-keeper batter is a great asset at the top of the order and also very good behind the stumps and could be CSK’s ideal replacement for Dhoni in the long run. 

The CSK management will try their level best to get the likes of Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar back into the team as these two will be the main bid attractions, they not only provide quality bowling but also are very handy with the bat. CSK might think about bringing back Ashwin in the colours of yellow and form a lethal spin duo with Jadeja as over the past year or so he has been in exceptional form.

2) Kolkata Knight Riders

Retained: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer

Last year’s runner up KKR have retained their two West Indies talismans as the management have shown faith in Andre Russell after he had a below average IPL season last year. They have gone in with two rising stars in Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer as they showed last year in the IPL why they are so highly rated by the selectors. The main concern going into the auction for KKR would be finding a suitable captain and most preferably an Indian player leading their side. Shreyas Iyer may well be the perfect candidate, Iyer guided Delhi Capitals to the final of IPL 2020. He is a marquee player, and the KKR might just go for him as a captain candidate. Iyer has scored 2375 IPL runs at 31.66, which includes 16 half-centuries.

Another area that they have to heavily invest in is a good solid opening batsman who can give their side a good start, something that KKR have relied heavily on in the past years. The release of Shubhman Gill was a surprise for the KKR fans, and they can’t have him now since the Ahmedabad franchise got him. Devdutt Padikkal is the perfect candidate to replace Gill as he has just played a couple of seasons and has scored more than 400 runs in both seasons. Padikkal has been in terrific form in the domestic circuit l. He has scored 884 IPL runs at 31.37, with six half-centuries and one century. 

3) Mumbai Indians

Retained: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard

The MI management had to select four players out of the plethora of talent they had in the squad but ultimately they stuck with the four most experienced players. They will try hard to get their players back but it will be a tough task since the other 9 franchises will have one eye on them. According to rumours, Ishan Kishan will be one of the few marquee players that MI will go for as he is not only an explosive batsman but also can keep wickets for his side if needed.

The MI franchise will need to target a spinner, especially if the IPL is hosted in India as they can go for Yuzvendra Chahal in the auction although a lot of teams will eye him but knowing he can be a game changer they might just go all in for him. Another area of concern heading into the auction would be to find an ideal pace partner for Jasprit Bumrah as they can go after either Lungi Ngidi or Kagiso Rabada to form a lethal pace duo which will not only instil havoc in the opponents eyes but also provide them with 8 overs of quality bowling. 

Also read: Kohli says he was approached a few times by IPL franchises in past