Ajinkya Rahane in action for CSK in IPL 2024 (X.com)
As expected, Ajinkya Rahane has been dropped from Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2024 clash against Rajasthan Royals, set to get underway in Chepauk on Sunday afternoon.
The veteran Indian batter was having a miserable campaign with the bat, tallying 209 runs across 12 innings at a questionable strike rate of 120.11 this season, and hence, he was on the verge of getting sidelined.
"We've got the right balance and obviously me and Rachin are back to open with Daryl Mitchell at 3. Since we are bowling, we just got 1 change. Theekshana is coming in for Santner," Gaikwad said at the toss time.
As Gaikwad mentioned that he and Rachin would be back at the top, and Daryl Mitchell would bat at No. 3, it automatically eliminated a place for Rahane, who likes to bat among the top half of the order.
CSK's Playing XI Vs Rajasthan Royals
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Shardul Thakur, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana
Impact Subs: Ajinkya Rahane, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Sameer Rizvi
As you can see, Rahane is still there among the impact substitutes, which does not rule him out of the contest. However, Sameer Rizvi is likely to come on unless CSK bowlers produce a miserable performance altogether, and decide to bring in a bowler.
 (1).jpg?type=mq "GT Vs KKR: Pitch Report")
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