Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has offered insights into why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might not go after New Zealand sensation Rachin Ravindra in the upcoming IPL 2024 auction in Dubai.
Despite Rachin's standout performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he excelled with both bat and ball, the young New Zealand all-rounder set a modest price tag of Rs. 50 lakhs for the auction.
Notably, Ravindra amassed 578 runs with an impressive average of 64.22, including three centuries and two half-centuries, and scalped five wickets with his left-arm spin in the recent World Cup 2023.
While many anticipate a high bid for Rachin, Manjrekar suggests that CSK might not go for him in the IPL 2024 auction, which is set to take place in Dubai on Tuesday.
The former batter said that CSK would not like to disturb their opening combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway.
He further expressed concerns about Rachin's potential middle-order role, suggesting that it might be challenging for him to replicate the impact he had batting at the top order at the CWC 2023.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports: “As a reserve batter, if it doesn't cost too much after seeing how the auction goes. But I don't see Mahendra Singh Dhoni changing his opening combination because they got virtually 80 percent of their runs from there.”
The cricket expert continued, “Batting in the middle order in the IPL will be tough for a guy like Rachin. He had to be in the top three and top two. If you ask me, to make the kind of impact at number four and five in the IPL for somebody like him will be tough. I don't think they will be looking at that. They've got their foreign players.”
However, Manjrekar said that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could be interested in Rachin, but only if they decide to play Faf du Plessis in the number three spot in the IPL 2024.
He signed off by saying, “RCB. If they decide to Faf du Plessis can bat at number three, then they have Rachin Ravindra and Virat Kohli. That's something they could do.”
(With Star Sports/PTI Inputs)
