Aakash Chopra Questions the Selection of Rahane in CSK 11: Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has laid questions on CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming over the persistent selection of Ajinkya Rahane despite the right-hander being in poor form.
Rahane, who had a career-turning season last year with CSK, has struggled to get going this season. In 11 innings, he has scored 209 runs at an average of 19 and a strike rate of 120, with the highest score of 45.
Since CSK didn’t have the services of the injured Devon Conway, they paired Rachin Ravindra with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top, but the CSK captain then switched his position with Rahane.
In his latest outing, against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, while chasing 232, Rahane got out for only one run, which he scored in five balls. Rahane played his flick a bit early against Sandeep Warrier and the leading edge was taken by Tewatia at mid-off.
Aakash Chopra Questions the Selection of Rahane in CSK 11
His poor numbers this season prompted Aakash Chopra to raise questions over CSK’s decision to back Rahane until now.
In his YouTube video, Chopra said, “You got him (Ravindra) to open, but Rahane came with him. You (the fans) were thinking – ‘Ruturaj, you are scoring runs daily as an opener, so why are you not opening?’.
“Ajinkya Rahane got out to the first ball off the next over. Two were out, and when Ruturaj was the third out for zero, the match was almost set because it had become 10/3. There is no idea about Rahane’s role. Why are you persisting with him for so long? Sameer Rizvi could have played in this match,” the commentator added.
Shubman Gill, the GT captain, and his opening partner, Sai Sudharsan, cracked centuries in their massive opening stand of 210 runs. This is the joint-highest opening partnership in IPL history and the third-highest stand overall.
Chasing 232, CSK were reduced to 10/3. Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell hit half-centuries in their partnership of 109 (57); however, Mohit Sharma broke the back of CSK’s middle order with the wickets of the pair and Shivam Dube. CSK lost by 35 runs.
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