Aakash Chopra hopes for Ambati Rayudu to go big in CSK vs GT IPL 2023 Qualifier 1

The four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to take on the defending champions Gujarat Titans for qualifier 1 of IPL 2023 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. MS Dhoni’s men will be looking to register their first win against Hardik Pandya’s GT and make it into their 10th IPL final.

Before the match, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra made a big statement about the star CSK batter Ambati Rayadu and backed him to score big in the upcoming clash against GT. Rayadu has been predominantly used as an impact player throughout the season. However, he didn’t had a great outing with the bat as he scored 122 runs at a below-par average of 15.25 in his 10 innings thus far.

In a video posted on his Youtube channel, Chopra reflected on the batting of CSK in the ongoing season and opined that Rayadu could come as a handy batter to tackle Rashid Khan’s spin. He also added that he doesn’t see Ajinkya Rahane batting at number three as the Chennai pitch will not suit him. He then picked Moeen Ali to take charge of batting against GT.

Ambati Rayudu hasn’t scored runs thus far but…: Rayadu

“They have the depth in batting. There is no doubt about that. Ambati Rayudu hasn’t scored runs thus far but this could be his match because he might play Rashid Khan well. One thing we have seen with Chennai’s team is that they are not sending Ajinkya Rahane regularly at No. 3. I will tell you why. This pitch is not suiting him. Ajinkya Rahane’s numbers are extremely ordinary at Chepauk. That is why he is moved below No. 3. They are absolutely okay with it if he doesn’t get to bat at all,” Chopra said on his Youtube Channel.

“They didn’t get Moeen Ali to bowl in the last match and his batting is not going good. So I see it as a minor concern. Shivam Dube is in red-hot form, so that’s brilliant. Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) is batting well. I don’t know why he is putting cryptic tweets. After that, MS Dhoni,” he further added.