As Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad splurged on Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Chennai Super Kings decided to play it safe, relying on logic and good sense to shape their team combination for IPL 2024.

They did join the bidding race for Pat Cummins but exited at Rs 7.8 crore once they realised it would go beyond their target.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is rarely seen at auctions but always makes his plans known to franchise CEO Kasi Viswanathan. They needed someone to replace Ambati Rayudu, who had been a pillar in their middle-order for several years, and it topped their wishlist.

Similarly, their decision to release Ben Stokes also meant they were in search of an all-rounder.

They settled for New Zealanders Daryl Mitchell, for whom they splashed Rs 14 crore, and Rachin Ravindra besides regaining Shardul Thakur to boost the lower order and provide balance to the team.

Mitchell and Ravindra have shown their ability to excel in Indian conditions during the World Cup. The decision to go for promising Uttar Pradesh batter Sameer Rizvi could prove to be judicious in the long run, much like their acquisition of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni’s guidance is sure to boost the youngster and play a key role in shaping
his future.

Mustafizur Rahman’s inclusion could be debated considering his poor form but the left-arm Bangladesh pacer will provide them with options and will act as a back-up for the injury-prone Matheesha Pathirana.

Every season brings about speculation about leadership at CSK and Dhoni’s chance to call it a day. Last time, Dhoni had promised to keep going one more time, bowing to the demands of the fans.

Head coach Stephen Fleming cleared the air on Tuesday. “We’ve had succession plans for MS for about 10 years,” he said. “It is going to be a talking point, but he is as engaged and as enthusiastic as I have seen him for a while. While that passion is there for the team and franchise, we’ll roll on.”

While CSK does appear to be the most balanced side, Mumbai Indians have also covered their bases.

The Hardik Pandya-led side lapped up Gerald Coetzee and the Sri Lankan
duo of Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara as overseas pacers.

But their spin department looks off-colour this time too — Shreyas Gopal is the only backup for Piyush Chawla. They could have gone for Wanindu Hasaranga.

Rajasthan Royals spent the bulk of their Rs 14.5 crore purse on Rovman Powell
(Rs 7.4 crore) and Shubham Dubey (Rs 5.8 crore). Powell will add firepower to the middle-order and could prove to be a useful buy.

Delhi Capitals were cautious in their spending but Harry Brook (Rs 4 crore) looks a good buy. The franchise wants to use him as a finisher.

Sunrisers Hyderabad got Cummins for a staggering Rs 20.5 crore while also roping in Travis Head (Rs 6.8 crore) and Hasaranga. It remains to be seen who leads the team — Aiden Markram, who was in charge last season, or Cummins.

Sunrisers have never managed to fulfil expectations and this could be their chance to script their destiny.