Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris has named Ambati Rayudu as the perfect replacement for Suresh Raina in CSK’s batting order. The number 3 batting spot at Chennai Super Kings is a matter of concern after veteran Raina left the camp citing personal reasons. His return back is very uncertain, however, he has confirmed there is still a slight chance.
Suresh Raina, who had traveled with the squad to UAE had later decided to skip the IPLand returned home citing ‘personal reasons’, which was later found out to be a gruesome attack on his relatives which took away the life of his uncle and cousin died.
Ambati Rayudu. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Ambati Rayudu is Scott Styris’s ideal choice to fill Suresh Raina’s spot at CSK
The former New-Zealand right-arm medium pacer believes it is very tough for CSK to fill the void of Raina. Suresh Raina is the highest run-scorer for CSK in the league. The options with them are Ruturaj Gaekwad and even Ravindra Jadeja but Styris feels Ambati Rayudu will be the perfect fit.
“Yeah, tough one, isn’t it. A player of that class, a player who has been so good for so long, to suddenly find those runs, even in the field and the odd over as well with the ball, is going to be a big task.I know that the CSK squad is deep, they’ve got a lot of options at the top, but I also believe that as much as the pressure is now on to find that No. 3, it’s just probably the most challenging time that I can look for anyway for CSK. And in particular, the leadership of this group — I think with Dhoni and Stephen Fleming — it’s up to them now to bring the group together, now that they have lost Raina and Harbhajan.”Styris said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected
Scott Styris. Image Credit: Getty Images.
“Couple of options they could go with, the two overseas players at the top and bring in the youngster Gaekwad (Ruturaj) as well or they may decide to have a pinch-hitter. May be even someone like Ravindra Jadeja too, who we have seen in Indian colours, has been so good, so they need to find that No. 3. Personally, I’d put Rayudu in there to take that spot.”he added.
CSK eye their 4th IPL title
CSK are without veterans Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina in this IPL, but still, have a strong team in their hands to compete for the title. The Chennai Super Kings squad had to go through an extra week of quarantine after 13 squad members including two players tested positive for COVID-19 last Saturday. The two players that tested positive were Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
CSK. Image Credit: Getty Images.
The IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10. The matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah respectively.
