New Delhi:
Sam Curran had made big strides in his international career after his superb all-round performances in Tests against India and Sri Lanka. The performances by Curran led him to a contract with Kings XI Punjab in the 2019 Indian Premier League and he responded with a hat-trick in the game against Delhi Capitals. However, he was released by the franchise but in the 2020 IPL player auction held in Kolkata, Curran became the most expensive England player when he was picked by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 5.5 crore. In a video uploaded by the Chennai Super Kings franchise's social media handles, Curran relished the opportunity to play along side MS Dhoni and be under the guidance of Stephen Fleming.
"Can't wait to come to Chennai and meet all my new teammates, playing under MS Dhoni our captain and our coach Stephen Fleming. It's obviously going to be a great opportunity for me to pick their brains and, hopefully, we can bring the trophy home to Chennai. Super excited to be joining the Chennai Super Kings for next season of IPL. A massive thank you to the coach, management staff. Just want to say I can't wait to play in front of the home fans in Chennai. I felt some amazing things, I was lucky enough to play last year against Chennai, and to play in front of the home fans this year is going to be really special. Hopefully, we can put in some great performances for the fans," Curran said.
Kadai Kutty Singham @CurranSM pounces straight to the point and how! #WhistlePodu #SuperFam ðŸ¦ðŸ’› pic.twitter.com/XhfC5hKC8G
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 21, 2019
Sam Curran was only a select few England players who were sold in the IPL Auction. Sam's brother Tom Curran was taken by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1 crore. Chris Woakes, who had played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in previous IPL tournaments, was sold to Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.5 crore. Chennai Super Kings would be determined to win the IPL for the fourth time and join Mumbai Indians as the other team to have won the Indian Premier League four times.
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MS Dhoni's team won the title in 2018 after their two-year suspension ended but they suffered heartbreak in 2019 when they lost the final against Mumbai Indians by one wicket. This was Chennai Super Kings' fifth loss in the IPL, having lost in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019. The three losses in 2013, 2015 and 2019 all came against Mumbai Indians while the 2008 and 2012 losses came against Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
