IPL 2021: CSK will struggle this season because 4 out their top 7 don't have game time, says Aakash Chopra
CSK's new squad for IPL 2021 comprises of players like MS Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina, who have retired from all forms of international cricket.
In Short
- Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni hasn't played any cricket since IPL 2020
- CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been recuperating from a thumb fracture since early January this year
- Suresh Raina, who retired from international cricket on Aug. 15 last year, missed IPL 2020 due to personal reasons
Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra feels Chennai Super Kings will struggle to get going in the Indian Premier League 2021 as most of their top batsmen haven't played any cricket for some time.
CSK's new squad for IPL 2021 comprises of players like MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, who have retired from all forms of international cricket. Ambati Rayudu had also retired from all forms before making a u-turn.
Dhoni and Rayudu in fact, last played competitive cricket in IPL 2020 in October-November while Raina missed the entire season due to personal reasons after announcing his retirement just hours after Dhoni on August 15 last year.
Moreover, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been out of action since January this year. He last played for India in the Sydney Test in which he broke his thumb and has been recuperating from the injury ever since.
“The likes of Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mahendra Singh Dhoni haven’t played either international or competitive cricket. Ravindra Jadeja has been out of action for a while due to injury.
"So, four out of seven top performers don’t have a good form and competitive cricket game time.
“They may play Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad who have decent numbers in domestic cricket. Faf du Plessis will also fine. But what about the remaining four. That will be a challenge. Hitting the ground running is a challenge,” Chopra said in a video posted on his Facebook account.
Chopra urged CSK to move Jadeja up the batting order and give him more time in the middle this season.
“I would suggest CSK promote Ravindra Jadeja up the order and let him bat a bit more. Mahendra Singh Dhoni shall play well too.
"But Raina is the critical cog. If he hits the ground running, CSK will be fine. And if not, since he hasn’t played for quite a long time now, CSK, I feel, will struggle this season and that’s not a good thing,” Chopra said.