IPL 2022: 5 changes CSK should make to get back to winning ways

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have made an awful start to the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). For the first time in history, CSK have lost their first three league matches. The team has looked clueless in pressure situations under new captain Ravindra Jadeja and has not been consistent with their batting or bowling performances.

In their third outing against Punjab Kings (PBKS), CSK were once again not at their usual best. Chasing 180, they were all out for 126 runs, suffering a 54-run defeat. The team management is expected to take some harsh calls as they look to open their account in IPL 2022 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

5 changes CSK should make to get back to winning ways

1. Rayudu opens the innings and Uthappa to bat at No.3

Veteran batter Ambati Rayudu has been a consistent run-scorer for CSK in the last four IPL seasons. However, he has been quiet in the first three games, accumulating only 55 runs at an average of 18.33. So far, he has batted at No.4 in two fixtures, and No.5 in the other.

Quite interestingly, Rayudu has opened on 15 occasions in IPL history and has garnered a total of 431 runs at an average of 30.79, including two fifties and a century. Hence, sending Rayudu at the top alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad can work wonders for the defending champions.

Robin Uthappa, on the other hand, has also been impressive in the tournament so far. The veteran batter has scored 91 runs in three innings, including a half-century. He batted at one drop in the first game before being promoted as an opener in the last two outings. If Rayudu is promoted to open alongside Gaikwad, Uthappa can slot at No.3 and hold one end, while others can play around him.

2. Moeen Ali should bat at No.4

All-rounder Moeen Ali has been an integral part of CSK ever since he joined the team. The English cricketer was one of the four retained players ahead of the mega auction. The southpaw had a good outing in his first fixture against LSG, scoring 35 runs.

However, he was dismissed for a duck in the following game against PBKS. Moeen was knocked off by debutant Vaibhav Arora. CSK can revamp its strategy and put Moeen at the second drop in the batting line-up.

The 34-year-old has been at his best at No.4, scoring 249 runs in eight innings at an average of 35.57. A change in the batting position could also help Moeen regain his form, which will be beneficial for CSK to return to winning ways.

3. Ravindra Jadeja to play the finisher’s role

CSK captain Ravindra Jadeja batted at No.5 in two games this season and has been unsuccessful in leaving an impact on the team’s performance. Although he did contribute 26 runs off 28 balls in the first league match against KKR, he didn’t look at ease.

The management should give Jadeja full license to play his natural role as a finisher. Incidentally, the ace all-rounder has batted at No.6 the most (59 innings) in the IPL and amassed over 1000 runs at an average of 29.71.

Jadeja at No.6 will mean Shivam Dube will bat at No.5. It can change the dynamics of CSK’s playing XI, given his capability to steer the team well in the middle overs and provide a late flourish.

4. Maheesh Theekshana in place of Dwayne Bravo

The leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history, Dwayne Bravo has looked off-colour after the first game against KKR. The 38-year-old has scalped one wicket each against LSG and PBKS at an economy of 8.80 and 10.70 respectively.

The veteran West Indian has also failed to make an impact with the bat, managing only one run in two outings so far. With CSK desperate for a win, Bravo can be rested for a while and Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who hogged the limelight after doing exceptionally well for the national team in the last six months, can be tried.

In 15 T20Is since his debut in September 2021, Theekshana has 14 wickets to his name at an impressive economy of 6.41. His 16 scalps in 10 appearances at the Lanka Premier League 2021 have provided wings to his franchise T20 career. He can bowl in the powerplay as well and scalp early wickets which CSK are lacking at the moment.

5. Rajvardhan Hangargekar for Mukesh Choudhary

Although Mukesh Choudhary has done quite well in the domestic circuit across all the formats, he has not been up to the mark with his execution so far this season. In the last two league matches, he has picked up just one wicket and has given away 91 runs at an economy of 12.13.

Chennai might give youngster Rajvardhan Hangargekar a rope in place of Mukesh. Besides his contribution with the ball, Hangargerkar is also handy with the bat in the lower order. In the U19 World Cup earlier this year, he did show a glimpse of his all-round talent. Hangargekar scored 52 runs, including an unbeaten 39 and picked up five wickets in six matches. He has List A appearances for Maharashtra to his name, picking up 10 wickets in five matches.

With Deepak Chahar and Adam Milne not expected to make it to the playing XI for the next game against SRH, the team needs a potent bowling option to contain the opposition and Hangargekar fits the bill.