Though CSK retained their core team for IPL 2018 which was also their comeback edition, they had to tune up the bowling department.

Players like Deepak Chahar, KM Asif and Lungi Ngidi were picked to strengthen the department. However, Deepak Chahar and Lungi Ngidi got enough opportunities to prove themselves but not KM Asif.

So far, he had played only two matches in IPL 2018 and picked up 3 wickets at a strike rate of 12:00 and an economy rate of 12.50. He did not play any other matches for quite a long time which makes the situation possible for CSK to not pick him in the upcoming auction.