IPL 2018: Ideal replacements for Mitchell Santner
The New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner will be out for six to nine months due to the knee injury he sustained while playing the fifth ODI against England.
He will undergo a knee surgery after a scan revealed the bone defect. The Chennai Super Kings who bought Santner for Rs.50 lakhs during the IPL 2018 auctions in January, should find a replacement for the injured Kiwi player.
With the CSK having so many options for spin, Santner's injury will not be a severe blow for the 'Men in Yellow'.
In fact, it will be a blessing in disguise for them as they will now look to strengthen their pace department as well the lower middle-order. With much batting firepower at the top and plenty of spin bowlers, let us now look at the replacements that the Super Kings must make for the injured Mitchell Santner.
#1 Dwayne Smith
The T20 specialist, Dwayne Smith played for four different IPL franchises so far- Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions.
Smith has won two IPL titles so far, in 2009 (Deccan Chargers) and 2013 (Mumbai Indians) and has been a consistent performer since the beginning of the tournament.
In the 91 IPL matches, Smith has scored 2385 runs at a strike-rate of 135.20, with his highest score being 87.
His contributions with the ball have been equally good, as he has 26 wickets to his name and can be a useful bowler.
The Chennai fans would love having Smith in their squad once again and Smith too will cherish coming back to the Chepauk.
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