After a dismal IPL 2020, the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) came back strongly in this year’s edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021). Failing to qualify for the playoffs last year, CSK was the first side to confirm their playoffs' berth in IPL 2021.

Since the Chennai-based franchise is still unsure of their out-of-form middle-order as they tried replacing Suresh Raina with Robin Uthappa which didn’t seem to be working, the former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reckons CSK will bring back the left-hand batter for the upcoming Qualifier 1.

IPL 2021: Qualifier 1, DC v CSK – COC Predicted Playing XIs

“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,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Jagran.

“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?” he added.

As far as Raina is concerned, he struggled to get going in the UAE-leg of this ongoing IPL 2021 registering scores of 4, 17*, 11, 2, and 3 in five games.

Even though the table-toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) have defeated CSK in both matches during the league stage, it will be exciting to see which team comes out on top as both the top-ranked sides are coming off losses in their final league stage games.

Thus, it will be exciting to see whether MS Dhoni and Co. make it to yet another IPL final or the Rishabh Pant-led DC side makes it to their second consecutive final of the cash-rich league.

(With Jagran Inputs)