The Chennai-based franchise faced a severe injury crisis before their opening fixture. Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that Dewald Brevis has suffered a side strain, while MS Dhoni remains sidelined with a calf muscle strain, significantly weakening the Chennai Super Kings’ middle-order batting depth.
“The big question is that Dewald Brevis is also not there. You have apparently lost Dewald Brevis for the first three or four games. Spencer Johnson is also not there,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Shouldn’t Open with Sanju Samson - Aakash Chopra
With Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni unavailable, Aakash Chopra urged CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to reconsider his opening position. Chopra suggested that young batter Ayush Mhatre should open the innings with Samson. Earlier, Ruturaj confirmed that he would open the batting alongside Sanju Samson.
In the IPL, Ruturaj has scored 2,289 runs in 60 innings as an opener at an average of 44.02 and a strike rate of 136.90. At the number three position, he managed just 208 runs at a lower average of 26.00 for Chennai Super Kings in 2024 and 2025.
You Will Have Shivam Dube As the Only Senior Player - Aakash Chopra
"Then you will have Mhatre, Urvil Patel or Sarfaraz Khan, and you will have Dube as the only senior player in the entire batting order after the openers. You don't want that to happen. So I feel something should be changed. Captain, come at No. 3," Chopra added.
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