IPL 2020: 5 potential replacements for Suresh Raina in Chennai Super Kings

Suresh Raina has opted out of the IPL 2020 for personal reasons.

In what was shocking news to all Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, their ‘Chinna Thala’ Suresh Raina returned to India citing personal reasons and will not play in the upcoming IPL 2020 which begins in UAE from September 19.

This blow came after 2 of the franchise players and 11 staff members tested positive for Coronavirus, leading to their quarantine being extended by a week. But nothing can be compared to losing their vice-captain for the upcoming season. Raina is the second-highest all-time run-getter in the IPL and one of the best batsmen in the history of the tournament.

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He has held the batting together with his mix of attacking cricket with a blend of style and his leadership and bowling skills always came in handy for MS Dhoni across the years, something that he will miss dearly.

But with him missing the IPL 2020, the CSK franchise needs to find a suitable replacement for Suresh Raina, and Team COC picks five such players who the franchise can give a thought on.

Here are the 5 potential replacements for Suresh Raina in CSK for IPL 13

MANOJ TIWARY

Manoj Tiwary has been one of the unsung heroes of the IPL, providing valuable support in middle-order and was part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ twin IPL victories in 2012 and 2014. After that he joined the Rising Pune Supergiants, having one of his most successful IPL seasons in 2017, where he helped the RPS team to the finals with 327 runs in 15 matches.

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Tiwary has shown that he can bat according to situations and has an attacking game as well. He can dominate bowling attacks at will and bat through the innings if needed. Tiwary has also shown his bowling acumen in domestic cricket, a skill that Dhoni values in the game. Tiwary, if chosen, will certainly bring enthusiasm in the field as well, given that he is an outstanding fielder.

HANUMA VIHARI

Hanuma Vihari has played three seasons of IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. He has 284 runs at a strike rate of 88.47. Vihari is a technically proficient batsman, who is suited for batting in top order and can hold one end up, while his teammates go bonkers at the other end.

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The 26-year-old player can bowl off-breaks in the middle overs, Chennai might recruit him as Suresh Raina's replacement.

SHELDON JACKSON

Sheldon Jackson has also been part of the IPL for a long time with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, however, got only a handful of games to prove his mettle. The former Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batsman has 5634 runs in FC and 1869 in List A cricket and has won the Ranji Trophy as well.

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Jackson can bat well in top order or play as a finisher as the team requirement, something MS Dhoni looks for in his players. He can be a valuable replacement for Suresh Raina for the CSK franchise if they pick him.

DHRUV SHOREY

Delhi batsman Dhruv Shorey was a part of the Chennai Super Kings setup for IPL 2018 and 2019 seasons, but warmed the bench, only getting to play a game each in two seasons scoring a total of 13 runs. He was let go ahead of the IPL 2020 auctions.

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Shorey has a fine record in the domestic cricket with 1217 runs in 18 FC matches and 700 List-A runs in 24 matches. The right-hander may be the left-field choice for the CSK team if they want to have a solid batsman at the top, who can bat through.

YUSUF PATHAN

Yusuf Pathan is a giant of IPL history who requires no introduction. Winner of three IPL titles with Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Pathan played a big role for both the teams through the years and also for Sunrisers Hyderabad, for who he played in a couple of seasons.

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Pathan surprisingly went unsold in IPL 2020 edition but his record of 3204 runs in 174 matches at a strike rate of 142.97 with 158 sixes and 262 fours speaks for itself. Chennai Super Kings have a string of finishers in MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, and Ravindra Jadeja, but they need someone at the top to take advantage of the powerplays as Suresh Raina did.

That’s where Yusuf Pathan comes in, as he has the ability to hit the big shots over the fielder in the 30-yard circle and also hit the spinners if they are put to use in powerplays. Pathan will be a valuable addition to the Daddies’ Army as he can also bowl a few overs in the middle if needed and is a safe fielder.