Chennai fans cannot understand what CSK are trying to do. It also looks as though the franchise has become so frustrated with its poor performances that it is making decisions without thinking through their impact. When Chennai want a particular player, they appear ready to chase him at any cost—and rival teams are taking advantage of that desperation.

The trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad raised exactly that concern. Now, the discussions with Delhi Capitals threaten to leave CSK accepting another deal that does not fully address their needs.

CSK brought in Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards while sending Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed to SRH. The problem is the difference between what the two teams received.

Livingstone and Edwards are not guaranteed places in Chennai’s playing XI. Their recent performances have not made a convincing case for treating either as an automatic selection.

SRH, meanwhile, received two bowlers who look ready to fill clear roles in their first-choice combination. Ellis is among the best death-over bowlers in world cricket, while Khaleel is one of the strongest Indian new-ball options.

Chennai gave away players who can influence two crucial phases of an innings and received overseas players whose places still need to be worked out. On cricketing balance, that looks like a losing deal for CSK.

The proposed Delhi deal initially offered Chennai supporters something to look forward to. The reported discussions involved Dewald Brevis and Noor Ahmad moving to Delhi, with CSK targeting Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma in return.

Brevis and Noor are both match-winners who have been important performers for Chennai across the last two seasons. Giving up both is a major sacrifice. In return, CSK need players who solve specific problems.

Axar would address their need for an Indian spin-bowling all-rounder, while Ashutosh would strengthen their finishing. Together, they would give Chennai a clear reason to consider parting with two valuable players.

However, Delhi reportedly want to include Sameer Rizvi instead of Ashutosh, and CSK are pushing back. Chennai are pressing for Ashutosh because they need a finisher, not simply another batting option.

While CSK are putting pressure on Delhi to include Ashutosh, the Capitals are exploring a separate deal for him. According to Cricbuzz, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants are possible trade partners, with Delhi looking for a pacer in exchange.

The two franchises therefore have different priorities. Chennai want Ashutosh to solve their finishing problem. Delhi want to use him to strengthen their pace attack rather than include him in the CSK package.

That is where Chennai’s position becomes difficult. If Delhi complete an Ashutosh trade with Gujarat or Lucknow, he will be unavailable to CSK. Chennai would then have to settle for Rizvi if they want to proceed with the proposed Axar package.

CSK’s pressure alone may not be enough when Delhi have another route that better serves their own squad requirements.

CSK’s determination to sign Axar is understandable. Ravindra Jadeja has already left, and the Prashant Veer experiment has not delivered the solution Chennai wanted.

They need a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja’s role. Axar is one of India’s leading spin-bowling all-rounders and, at this stage, represents an upgraded option for that position.

But that urgency gives Delhi an advantage in the negotiations. They can pursue a pacer through a separate Ashutosh deal while asking Chennai to accept Rizvi alongside Axar.

For CSK, that would mean compromising on one requirement to fulfil another. Whether that compromise makes sense depends on what Rizvi would actually add to their batting lineup.

Sameer Rizvi struggles against quality pace early in his innings, particularly against short balls. That makes him an unsuitable choice for the finishing role CSK need to fill, with fast bowlers usually operating at the death.

A finisher must be ready to attack those bowlers almost immediately. There is little time to settle in, and a weakness against short deliveries gives the opposition a clear way to put him under pressure.

Chennai already have several batters who can attack spin in the middle overs. Adding Rizvi would give them another player with a similar role instead of addressing their actual requirement.

Ashutosh Sharma is therefore their main target. CSK need a finisher who can provide immediate impact late in the innings, which explains why they are insisting on him in the Delhi negotiations.

If Delhi trade Ashutosh to Gujarat or Lucknow for a pacer, accepting Rizvi would leave Chennai’s finishing problem unresolved. They would be giving up Brevis and Noor to secure Axar without getting the second player they actually need.