Three Reasons Why Rachin Ravindra Should Open For CSK in Devon Conway's Absence

Rachin Ravindra had a great World Cup 2023 in India Rachin Ravindra had a great World Cup 2023 in India 

As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) brace for the 2024 IPL season, they find themselves in choppy waters with star opener Devon Conway sidelined for the first half of the tournament due to surgery on his fractured left thumb. Conway's absence leaves big shoes to fill, as he has been a consistent performer for CSK since his debut in 2022.

Since his induction into the franchise, Conway has been nothing short of sensational. With a debut season that saw him amass 252 runs in seven games and a stellar follow-up in 2023 with 672 runs across 14 matches, culminating in a Player of the Match performance in the final, Conway's absence is a significant setback for the five-time champions. 

However, in cricket, every cloud has a silver lining. The Devon Conway injury has paved the way for CSK's new recruit, Rachin Ravindra, to potentially grab the limelight and prove his mettle. Let's take a look at why CSK should open with Ravindra in IPL 2024.


1. Capitalizing on the batter's Form

Rachin Ravindra is currently on the crest of a wave, displaying an exceptional run of form across formats. The southpaw was sensational in the ICC World Cup 2023 where he finished as the fourth highest run-getter. 

Moreover, his bat has been talking, and it's been loud and clear - a double hundred, two centuries, and two fifties in his last ten international matches. 

Despite criticisms about his handling of the short ball and early-innings jitters, Ravindra has consistently proven his critics wrong. His explosive 35-ball 68 against Australia recently showed his ability to dominate even the most formidable bowling attacks.


2. The Perfect Mix

While Chennai Super Kings' bench strength has several alternatives for the opening slot, none tick all the boxes quite like Ravindra. Previous stints have shown Moeen Ali and Ajinkya Rahane's opening experiments to be less than fruitful. 

Mitchell Santner, though a talented batter, doesn't fit the bill for the opening gamble that CSK needs, while Daryl Mitchell's strength lies in anchoring the middle order. 

Ravindra, however, brings excellent batting skills and bowling depth to the table, personifying the ideal 'jack of all trades' in the high-stakes environment of the IPL.


3. A move for the future

Promoting Ravindra to the forefront isn't just a stop-gap solution; it's a forward-looking strategy. At 24, he represents the new blood, and CSK would like to groom him for leadership in the post-Dhoni era. 

With captaincy experience under his belt in New Zealand's domestic circuit, Ravindra's early inclusion into CSK's core could be a masterstroke, preparing the ground for a smooth leadership transition. His calm and composed nature is like icing on the cake that can enhance CSK's brand both on and off the field.