Suresh Raina's exit from IPL 2020 has put the Chennai Super Kings team in a big spot as they aim to win the title for the fourth title. Raina's exit from the pivotal No.3 spot has put the Chennai Super Kings team composition in slight disarray. Who can step up to the No.3 position? The options that we have boiled it down to are MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu.
Suresh Raina's exit from IPL 2020 has put the Chennai Super Kings team in a big spot as they aim to win the title for the fourth title. Raina's exit from the pivotal No.3 spot has put the Chennai Super Kings team composition in slight disarray. Who can step up to the No.3 position? The options that we have boiled it down to are MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu.
1. MS Dhoni No.3 CSK IPL 2020
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MS Dhoni has always achieved phenomenal success while batting at No.3 or No.4 during his international playing days. It is a surprise why he did not bat in that position so often. His success in the 2011 World Cup by moving up the order worked brilliantly. However, Dhoni is acknowledged as the greatest finisher in history. Suresh Raina's exit though has put the team in a bit of a quandry. With Dhoni's finishing prowess on the wane, he might be tempted to shore up the middle order and then hang in until the death overs where he can explode. Dhoni can have the best of both worlds. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. Sam Curran CSK IPL 2020
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With only two foreign spots vacant in the Chennai Super Kings playing XI due to the confirmed selections of Shane Watson and Imran Tahir, the choice boils down to Sam Curran and Faf du Plessis in the middle order. Du Plessis has been a kind of a floater in the team, opening the batting, playing in the middle order as well as lower down the order on some occasions. However, this time, Chennai Super Kings might be tempted to have Sam Curran at No.3. He is a power-hitter, can clear the field during the powerplay and also can bat sensibly when the situation demands. But, with du Plessis' experience, Curran's chances at No.3 are more of a dark horse. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. Ravindra Jadeja CSK IPL 2020
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If Dhoni moves up the order, then the only potential bit will be for Ravindra Jadeja to be the finisher. However, what if Dhoni decides to stay down the order? Then, it makes sense for Ravindra Jadeja to move to No.3 in a bit of a shock and awe moment. Jadeja's power-hitting has improved considerably in the last couple of years but his finishing has still struggled. Jadeja at No.3 can put the opposition plans in disarray as he is equally good in clearing the outfield and sensibly rotating the strike. Jadeja's role in IPL 2020 will be important in many ways. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. Ambati Rayudu CSK IPL 2020
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Ambati Rayudu has been Chennai Super Kings' untold hero. In 2018 and in 2019, he was in fine form at the top of the order but he was also plagued by injuries. Rayudu has also been a finisher for the Mumbai Indians and he is capable of holding his own in the middle order. Rayudu's flexibility will be the key for Chennai Super Kings but he might lack the power and finesse of Suresh Raina. But, Rayudu is capable of shattering perceptions and in IPL 2020, he may have to do the same in the absence of one of the team's stalwarts. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. Kedar Jadhav CSK IPL 2020
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Kedar Jadhav set the tone for Chennai Super Kings' magnificent 2018 IPL title triumph with a spirited performance down the order on one leg. Injury plagued him in 2018 and in 2019, he did not have much impact. In Suresh Raina's absence, Kedar Jadhav might be used as a sheet anchor at No.3. However, in the IPL, Raina's power in that position was the X-factor and one has not seen that kind of impact from Jadhav for a long time. If the match situation demands, perhaps in a low-scoring encounter, Jadhav can be used as an anchor around which the innings revolves. (Image credit: Twitter)
