We needed a No.7 who can bat and bowl: CSK on Prashant Veer signing

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has explained the franchise’s decision to splurge on uncapped all-rounder Prashant Veer at the IPL mini-auction, revealing that the team was specifically searching for a new No. 7 option following the trade of veteran Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals.

The 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh all-rounder, a left-arm spinner and middle-order batter, saw his price skyrocket to Rs 14.20 crore, 47.3 times his base price, after CSK fended off early interest from Rajasthan Royals and an intense late bidding battle with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The deal made Veer the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL auction history.

Advertisement

Viswanathan said CSK’s original plan was to target Cameron Green, but the franchise pulled out once the bidding crossed Rs 25 crore, citing purse constraints and the need to secure multiple young players.

“To summarise, it was very difficult in the first round. We were hoping to get Cameron Green. But if we gave more than 50 per cent of our purse for him alone, it would have been tough to get the rest of the players, especially the youngsters.

“We had identified a lot of youngsters. We were afraid we wouldn’t get them. That’s why we could only go up to 25 crores for green. But, we were able to get the youngsters whom we wanted,” he said in a video shared by the franchise.

Explaining the rationale behind Veer’s acquisition, Viswanathan underlined the player’s all-round skill set and the strong backing he received from CSK’s scouting network.

“Prashant Veer is a new player. You know that we traded Jaddu (Jadeja) with RR. So we needed a number 7 who can bat and who can bowl. And who is also a good fielder.

“Our talent scout team gave us a lot of feedback as to which of the youngsters were doing well. Prashant Veer was the number one player whom the talent scout team had identified.

“He also came for CSK trials when we had the trials at HPC, we got to know about his talent. We could spot out that he has something extra. (AR) Srikanth, (Sridharan) Sriram, all of them were there. They told us that Prashant Veer has a special talent. They told us to keep an eye on him. They told us that he’d be a good pick. So, we thought he would be a good bet for us,” he added.

The auction marked a noticeable shift in CSK’s strategy, with the five-time champions aggressively targeting youngsters as part of a longer-term rebuild. Once labelled ‘Daddy’s Army’ for their preference for experienced players, Viswanathan said the franchise has consciously adapted to the changing demands of modern T20 cricket.

“In the 2018 auction during the lunch time, our boss Srinivasan Sir scolded us, ‘Are you picking players? What are you doing?’ All the fans also started saying, ‘You’ve picked a team like some Daddy’s army.’ But we won the trophy, coming back after 2 years. From that time, you will see in IPL, there has been a change in the kind of cricket which is being played. Power cricket, which is coming. For that, we have to adapt. That adaptation will take some time.

“Last year, we brought in youngsters from mid-season. Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis all of them came into the team. We have traded in Sanju Samson. So, we have strengthened the batting. We are identifying some of the bowlers who will be good. Akeal Hossein is probably the best T20 powerplay bowler.

“Similarly, we have bowlers who can be really useful. We have got Jamie Overton, and now Matt Henry and Foulkes who are all very good with the new ball. So, I think we have fairly got a good side,” he stated.

Viswanathan concluded by expressing confidence in CSK’s leadership group and promised fans an entertaining season at Chepauk, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and veteran MS Dhoni at the helm.

“And you know, Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad), how calm he is. Along with Flem (Stephen Fleming) and Thala (MS Dhoni), the team will come back. And definitely, we will do well this year.

“Message to fans, as I always say, Thala and Rutu will do a great job for the team. Fans, this year you will really enjoy watching CSK at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. And hope we win the trophy,” he concluded.