After a disappointing season in IPL 2021, Chennai Super Kings completely turned around in a spectacular way and was the first team to reach the Playoffs. CSK and DC fought for the top place for almost the whole IPL 2021, and therefore it is appropriate that the first Qualifier is being contested between the 2 teams. CSK has dropped their previous 3 consecutive league matches and will be hoping to end the losing run in order to advance to the final.
CSK doesn’t have to worry too much about team composition. This year, the big hitters were at the frontline of the team’s comeback. Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and others have continued to produce at important stages to guarantee another dominating performance from the side. CSK are still uncertain about the No. 3 and 4 spots, where they would have tried with Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa in the UAE leg.
Gavaskar Feels Raina Is The Match-winner CSK Should Return Him To The XI
Raina was pulled from the playing XI by replacing Uthappa for the final two games. Sunil Gavaskar believes that CSK should bring back one of their greatest and most experienced batters for the crucial match. Even though Raina has failed facing fast bowling, the former India captain believes it is worth a chance to take him back into the XI.
“Coming to experience, the Chennai team would be contemplating the return of Suresh Raina in the playing XI. Raina is the match-winner. Of course, in the last few years, he has struggled especially against the fast bowlers, but he has the ability to change the course of the match,” said Gavaskar.
“Of course, Nortje, Rabada, and Avesh will test him, but it’s okay to take this chance as a chance to take the team to the finals. Delhi has defeated Chennai in both matches this season. So will the Chennai team prove lucky for the third time?”.
Raina, who missed the previous season of the IPL due to personal reasons, started IPL 2021 in glory, scoring a half-century versus Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match, but has since gone down the expectations due to some low scores. In reality, Mr. IPL Raina’s performance in the UAE leg was much worse, with scores of 4, 17*, 11, 2, and 3 in 5 games.
