Veteran India spinner R Ashwin spoke about the players who could replace Ambati Rayudu in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2024. Rayudu, a veteran who played for both Mumbai Indians and CSK, retired after CSK won the IPL 2023 title early this year.
With 1166 players being shortlisted for the upcoming IPL 2024 auction, which will be held in Dubai on December 19, Ashwin picked one player who he thinks is the perfect replacement for Rayudu in the MS Dhoni-led CSK side.
“I have a feeling that they will invest it on Karun Nair. They are searching for a replacement for Ambati Rayudu. Shahrukh is not a replacement for him at No.4. I have no idea who they are going to play in that position this season. They might try a left-hand option but if you look at CSK’s track record, they have never gone for an unknown commodity. They have never played anybody who just did well in their first season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“So, Karun Nair, folks, brace yourself to see him in yellow. I am not committing to anything, just doing a little Ravi Shastri impression,” he continued.
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Ashwin went on to state that CSK skipper Dhoni is fond of players who can act as a bridge between the top and middle orders, and that Nair could fit in well at the Tamil Nadu club.
“He is somebody who can play spin well, who could sweep and reverse sweep. MS Dhoni loves it when there is a batter who can play between the top order and the middle order in the No.4 slot, especially in Chennai. I feel Karun Nair is perfect for that. I haven’t really seen Manish Pandey play spin too much in Chennai but Karun Nair, remember has a triple hundred in a Test match played in Chennai,” he added.
Ashwin also touched upon Nair’s mental fortitude to stay strong despite setbacks.
“He has had a tough time in the last few years. It is not easy, you score a triple century in Test cricket and all of a sudden you find yourself nowhere. That is very difficult for any person’s mental make up but he has fought it out so hats off Karun. He did well in the KPL as well so, it all looks good for him,” Ashwin concluded.
