IPL 2020: Ambati Rayudu likely to miss one more CSK game due to hamstring injury

Chennai Super Kings, on Tuesday, suffered a 16-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals after failing to hunt down a challenging target of 217 runs. After putting Steve Smith-led RR to bat first, CSK faced Sanju Samson’s carnage. The Kerala youngster demolished CSK by slamming a 32-ball 74.

To make things worse for CSK, skipper Smith and Jofra Archer also hit a flurry of boundaries to steer RR to a dominant 216-run total. The likes of Lungi Ngidi, Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja proved ineffective against RR’s rampage.

In response, CSK badly missed the services of Ambati Rayudu, who had slammed 71 off 48 against Mumbai Indians. After delivering a match-winning performance in the tournament opener, the Hyderabad batsman missed the game against RR due to a hamstring injury. In Rayudu’s absence, CSK failed to hunt down the total. Faf du Plessis, who slammed an impressive 72, was the lone warrior in the middle.

Nothing to worry about Ambati Rayudu’s injury: CSK CEO

After registering a convincing victory in their first game, CSK suffered a setback in their second. Furthermore, the Yellow Army is also likely to miss Rayudu for one more game. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that there was no reason to worry as the batsman is recovering well. However, he’ll likely need one more game before he finally returns to the field.

Since moving to CSK in 2018, Rayudu has delivered many impressive performances with his willow, including a ton against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the previous two seasons with the MS Dhoni-led side, Rayudu has scored 353 runs. After a flying start to his IPL 2020 campaign, 35-year-old Rayudu will be hoping to bat consistently throughout the season.

“Nothing to worry about. He has the hamstring injury, but will at worst miss one more game. But you never know, he might be fit in time for that game,” said Viswanathan as quoted by InsideSport.

After losing against Rajasthan Royals, CSK will now face Delhi Capitals on 25th September. The Chennai franchise is the only side in IPL 2020 which will play three games in its first week. One of the most consistent franchises in the tournament’s history, CSK will be eyeing their fourth IPL trophy this season.