3 teams that should target Will Jacks in IPL 2025 Auction ft. Chennai Super Kings
Will Jacks, one of the finest batting all-rounders in the world at the moment, finds himself a free agent in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. He was let go of by his former franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The 25-year-old did his reputation no harm last season as he amassed 230 runs at an average of 32.85 in eight innings for RCB. This included a top score of an unbeaten 100 at a whopping strike rate of 175.
Despite RCB's reluctance to keep him, Jacks could find a lot of interested buyers in the auction slated to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
His strike rate of 157.62 in T20s speaks volumes about his skills. He has scored 4847 runs in 181 innings in T20s at an average of 28.51, which is not bad at all. The Englishman has also scored four centuries and 32 half-centuries across his T20 career so far.
In this piece, we take a look at three teams that should target Will Jacks in the auction:
#1 Punjab Kings
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have retained just two players ahead of the auction - Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. This opens their purse (INR 110 crores) up to a lot of new possibilities when they sit at the table to pick their team for next season.
The addition of Jacks could add as a big morale booster for PBKS as they will be able to utilize him as a stalwart, or icon player, if you like. The Englishman can bat anywhere in the order and will enjoy taking the responsibility of doing so.
Most importantly, Jacks can be given a position in the leadership group of the franchise, and this will allow him to contribute off the field as well. He can also become their marquee signing, propelling him to that of a star player in demand.
#2 Sunrisers Hyderabad
The SunRisers Hyderabad have retained three foreigners this time, and have just about enough budget (INR 45 crores) to make one final overseas big-name purchase. Therefore, they might look to get Jacks for a low amount.
Jacks' all-round abilities will hold him dear, and the SRH management - reeling from the loss in the final of the 2024 edition to the Kolkata Knight Riders - may feel him to be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle.
Jacks will enjoy batting on the placid surface of the Uppal stadium and add his two cents to the swashbuckling knocks played by SRH's batters. The Englishman will add a lot of firepower alongside foreigners Travis Head and Henrich Klaasen.
A batting lineup consisting of Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jacks is bound to put the frighteners on any bowling attack, and the SRH management will be keen on making this dream come true.
#3 Chennai Super Kings
The Chennai Super Kings have not retained any foreigner in their squad save seamer Matheesha Pathirana, and this might just pave the way for them to bid for Jacks in the auction and bring him into their fold.
Jacks' bowling skill will also come in handy for CSK as he can both give the ball a toss and push it in between. The Englishman will have a good time rolling his arms over on the slow and sturdy pitches of Chepauk, where CSK will play half of their games.
The Super Kings would also like to entrust Will Jacks with the responsibility of holding the middle order together if he is asked to bat there. However, if he opens, he can form a formidable partnership alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaekwad.