IPL 2018: 3 players who could replace Suresh Raina for the game against Punjab
Chennai Super Kings have started off life back in the IPL in spectacular fashion, but their off-field issues do not seem to relent. It was announced on Wednesday that CSK’s home matches have been moved out of Chennai. To add insult to injury, CSK’s batting stalwart Suresh Raina has been ruled out of IPL action for 10 days due to a calf injury.
Raina suffered the injury during CSK's game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. He will now miss Chennai’s games against the Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, and Rajasthan Royals next Friday. This is a huge blow to the team who have already lost Kedar Jadhav and Mitchell Santner for the entire season because of injuries.
On that note, let’s take a look at the players who could take Raina’s place for the game against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.
#1 Murali Vijay
Murali Vijay was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 2 crores in the auction. He was a regular opener for the Chennai Super Kings in their previous two title winnings campaigns in 2010 and 2011.
The India opener is currently recovering from a rib injury and has every chance to make it to the CSK squad on Sunday against Kings XI Punjab. He will most likely open the innings along with Shane Watson, pushing Rayudu to take Raina's no. 3 slot.
Rayudu is not new to batting at no. 3 position and was successful in that role for Mumbai Indians in the past IPL campaigns. With this option, CSK does not have to shuffle a lot with their batting lineup.