Suresh Raina’s exit from IPL 2020 came out as a major blow for the franchise. Although CSK hasn’t revealed whether they are attempting to replace Suresh Raina in their squad or not, but if they opt to take that path, they have plenty of options on their plate already.
Recently, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra came up with a list of 5 cricketers who can replace Suresh Raina in CSK. In a video shared on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube page, Aakash Chopra picked 5 alternatives for the CSK team.
His number one choice was Yusuf Pathan. Picking him, Aakash Chopra stated that Yusuf Pathan has played with RR, KKR, and SRH and has done really well in T20Is. The cricketer is not picked by any franchise for IPL 2020, thus Aakash Chopra feels he should be given a chance. He said:
“I am going to start with Yusuf Pathan. He has been with RR, KKR and SRH previously. He has done well in T20s but was not picked in the auction for this year’s IPL. He was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad but no one bought him.”
He further reasoned that Yusuf Pathan could be the preferred option as he could play the finisher’s role along with the skipper MS Dhoni because the team already has enough option for top-order batsmen. He said:
“Yusuf Pathan could be your guy because you have got top-order batsmen in Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu and Murali Vijay. So you might need a finisher along with MS Dhoni, so Yusuf Pathan could be that guy for Chennai Super Kings.”
Aakash Chopra’s second pick was Manoj Tiwary. Considering Manoj Tiwary’s brilliant form in domestic cricket, Aakash Chopra feels that Manoj could do well for CSK in the middle order. He said:
“The second option is Manoj Tiwary. His IPL career has not been very glamorous but he has played quite a few important knocks. There was a season I think for RPS, where he was facing few deliveries but scoring critical runs. He is still making runs in first-class cricket. He has a different bowling action but he could be an option.”
Hanuma Vihari was Aakash Chopra’s third pick as a replacement for Suresh Raina. He said that he was left surprised after Hanuma went unsold in IPL 2020 auctions. He said:
“Another player is Hanuma Vihari. I was surprised when he was not bought in this auction. Because if you think of him in the last 12-18 months, he has made his place in Test cricket including a century at No.6 and the way he has scored.”
He also called Hanuma Vihari as his personal replacement choice. He said:
“CSK, in fact every team, needs a player who plays spin well and if you get a current player who plays spin well and will also bowl some overs of off-spin, then why not him. To be honest, Hanuma Vihari will be my choice.”
Aakash Chopra’s fourth pick for Suresh Raina’s replacement was Dhruv Shorey, who has been a part of CSK team in the previous edition. However, Dhruv didn’t get too many chances to showcase his cricketing skills infront of the world. Aakash Chopra feels Dhruv Shorey has the potential. He said:
“Another one is former CSK member Dhruv Shorey. He was a part of the team but hardly got a couple of opportunities. He had done well as a fielder and had taken an excellent diving catch. He is a good player and although his first-class season may not have been excellent this year, the player has potential.”
Aakash Chopra’s final pick as a replacement for Suresh Raina was Cheteshwar Pujara but he had his reservations while picking him. He said:
“Last but not the least, I am going with Cheteshwar Pujara. The thing in his favour is that he plays spin well. But the thing that goes against him is that he is not a very good fielder. Also he is a top-order batsman and not a finisher.”
He added:
“I have my reservations if he will be CSK’s choice because MS Dhoni likes players who are good in at least two out of the three departments, so that may go against him.”
Well, only time will tell who will replace Suresh Raina in CSK.
