Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Chennai Super Kings will make a tactical error if Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson open the innings. Chopra picked the CSK playing XI ahead of their match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
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.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the injury problems currently plaguing the Chennai Super Kings camp before they have bowled a single delivery in the tournament.
“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.
"You took an injured player for an injured player. Nathan Ellis has already been ruled out. MS Dhoni is not there for two weeks. Not even one ball has been bowled and your problems have mounted,” he added.
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.
“Since Dewald Brevis is not there now, your XI will automatically change, but your order should also change. Ruturaj Gaikwad shouldn’t open with Sanju Samson now. Make Ayush Mhatre open with Sanju Samson and bring Ruturaj at No. 3. I feel you will do wrong if you still open with Ruturaj and Sanju," Chopra stated.
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
Chopra said that keeping the Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson opening combination would leave the CSK middle order inexperienced. The analyst pointed out that Shivam Dube would remain the only senior batter after the openers.
"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.
Aakash Chopra's CSK probable playing 11 for IPL 2026 clash vs RR: Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan/Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry
Also read: Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2026 schedule revealed
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