IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar reveals his choice of openers for CSK

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League started with a nail-biting encounter between the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where the latter managed to eke out a two-wicket victory.

The second encounter, a much-anticipated one for the kind of rivalry it puts on a show, is between the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals. While Delhi Capitals had a stellar last season, where they reached the final under the able leadership of Shreyas Iyer before losing the title to Mumbai Indians, the Super Kings had a rare failure as they failed to make a spot even in the Playoffs.

Ahead of their first game of the season against the Capitals, there have been questions revolving around what should their ideal opening combination be. A late entrant into CSK’s XI after falling for COVID-19, Ruturaj Gaikwad was one of the lone positives from a forgettable season as he notched up a hat-trick of half-centuries while opening for his side. But it remains to be seen whether he will be given that opportunity this year too.

CSK should play Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis as the openers: Sanjay Manjrekar 

Giving his opinion during an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, former cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Mankrekar opined that CSK should play Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis as the openers.

“Lungi Ngidi isn’t available so a foreign spot opens up and CSK should take advantage of it and if this strategy works, they might reap its long-term benefits as well. So I will go to Ruturaj Gaikwad and tell him ‘hard luck, you played well last season but Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis is an exciting combination for the top of the order’ said Manjrekar.

“Then Ambati Rayudu at No.3 and Suresh Raina at No. 4. Then they have good depth with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. So if Moeen Ali opens, then there is a danger factor in the batting order,” he added. Manjrekar further added that Moeen Ali’s off-spin could prove beneficial for CSK against the DC, as they have three left-handed batsmen in their top six.