“Noor, Jaddu and Ashwin will create a havoc” – Former India cricketer after CSK spends big bucks on spinners at IPL 2025 auction
Former Indian player Kris Srikkanth has backed five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for buying the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad at the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The World Cup-winning player reckoned that the two spinners and retained all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would create havoc for other teams, seemingly in their spin-friendly conditions at MA Chidambaram Stadium. He also lauded the franchise for picking up a balanced side.
Ashwin and Ahmad were bought for INR 9.75 crore and INR 10 crore after a bidding war with other franchises. The duo offers off and leg spin, respectively.
On Sunday, November 24, Kris Srikkanth wrote on X:
“@ChennaiIPL have one of the best balanced sides this Ipl, Noor, jaddu and ashwin in chepauk will create havoc for the opposition! Superb picks until now #IPLAuction.”
Ashwin has made his homecoming after the 2015 season with the Super Kings. The legendary off-spinner is one of the leading wicket-takers in IPL with 180 scalps in 212 matches at an economy rate of 7.12. At Chepauk, Ashwin has 50 wickets in 43 matches at an economy rate of 6.26.
The 38-year-old is also a handy batter at No.3 and lower order. He has also played with the Rising Pune Supergiants (now defunct), Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals in the tournament.
Ahmad has picked up 24 wickets in 23 IPL games at an economy rate of 8.03. He took eight wickets in 10 games for Gujarat Titans (GT) in 2024 season. The 19-year-old has got a pay rise of INR 7 crore as his previous salary was INR 3 crore at GT.
Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja was retained by CSK for INR 18 crore. The left-arm spinner has 160 scalps in 240 games at an economy rate of 7.62. With the bat, he has 2959 runs. Last year, he scored 267 runs and picked up eight wickets.
CSK re-buys Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra at IPL 2025 auction
Chennai Super Kings re-bought Devon Conway for INR 6.25 crore before using the Right to Match (RTM) option for Rachin Ravindra at INR 4 crore at the IPL 2025 auction.
CSK buys so far:
Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Khaleel Ahmed (INR 4.8 crore), Rahul Tripathi (INR 3.4 crore).
CSK retentions:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Rs. 18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (Rs. 13 crore), Shivam Dube (Rs. 12 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs. 18 crore), and MS Dhoni (Rs. 4 crore).