Scott Styris mentioned that it will be tough for CSK to fill the void created by the withdrawal of Suresh Raina. He suggested that Ambati Rayudu should bat at the No. 3 spot for the Chennai-based franchise.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has opined that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might be facing their most challenging time ever, considering the withdrawals of two of their stalwarts in Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh from IPL 2020. He made this observation during an interaction on the Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
Scott Styris. Image Credit: Getty Images.
Scott Styris: It Will Be Tough To Replace Suresh Raina As CSK Faces Their Most Challenging Time Ever
Scott Styris responded that it will be a tough ask to fill the void left by a player of Suresh Raina’s caliber. He reasoned that the left-handed batsman has not only scored runs for the franchise in critical pressured situations but also proved handy in the field and with the ball.
“Tough one, isn’t it. Player of that class, player who has been so good for so long who can suddenly find those runs. And even in the field, the odd over as well with the ball. It is going to be a big task. And I know the CSK squad is deep, they have got a lot of options at the top.”
Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh
Scott Styris, who has played for CSK in the past, reckoned that it was not only a question of finding a suitable No. 3 batsman for the franchise but also of finding a good off-spinner to fill Harbhajan Singh’s shoes. He opined that this is probably the most challenging time that CSK has ever faced and that skipper MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming would have to get the team to perform as a unit.
“But I also believe that as much as the pressure is now on finding that No.3, this is probably the most challenging time that I can recall for CSK and in particular the leadership of this group, Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. It is up to them now to bring the group together now that they have lost Raina and Harbhajan.”
Harbhajan Singh who last played for India in 2016, took 150 wickets from 160 matches averaging a decent 26.45. He is also the 3rd highest wicket-taker in IPL history after Lasith Malinga who has 170 and Amit Mishra who has 157 besides his name. Suresh Raina, on the other hand, has scored 5368 runs, which is second highest after Virat Kohli who has 5412 runs. It will be a herculean task to win IPL without the two experienced players for CSK.
Scott Styris: Choice For No. 3 Spot In CSK Batting Line-up Is Ambati Rayudu
Scott Styris mentioned that the franchise have a few options, with regards to the choice of the No. 3 batsman for CSK in IPL 2020, with one of them opening the batting with Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis while having Ruturaj Gaikwad bat at that position.
“Couple of options, they could go with two overseas players at the top and bring in the youngster Gaikwad as well or they may decide to have a pinch-hitter.”
He also talked about Simon Doull’s suggestion of making Mitchell Santner bat up the order or even using Ravindra Jadeja as a pinch-hitter.
“I know that Simon Doull, my fellow New Zealander, has suggested Mitchell Santner to go to the top. Or may be someone like Jadeja too who has been so good in Indian colours.”
Scott Styris suggested Ambati Rayudu as his personal choice for the No. 3 batting position in the CSK lineup.
“So they need to find that No.3. Personally I will put Ambati Rayudu to take that spot.”
Ambati Rayudu. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Ambati Rayudu was the star performer for CSK in IPL 2018, scoring 602 runs that season at an excellent average of 43.00. But he was under a lean patch last year, aggregating just 282 runs at a moderate average of 23.50. He would like to regain his form a couple of seasons ago and provide a solution to the batting dilemma faced by CSK with Suresh Raina opting out.
