IPL 2018: 3 players who could replace Suresh Raina for the game against Punjab

Chennai Super Kings have started off life back in the IPL in spectacular fashion, but their off-field issues do not seem to relent. It was announced on Wednesday that CSK’s home matches have been moved out of Chennai. To add insult to injury, CSK’s batting stalwart Suresh Raina has been ruled out of IPL action for 10 days due to a calf injury.

Raina suffered the injury during CSK's game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. He will now miss Chennai’s games against the Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, and Rajasthan Royals next Friday. This is a huge blow to the team who have already lost Kedar Jadhav and Mitchell Santner for the entire season because of injuries.

On that note, let’s take a look at the players who could take Raina’s place for the game against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.

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#1 Murali Vijay

Vijay could open the batting for CSK on Sunday

Murali Vijay was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 2 crores in the auction. He was a regular opener for the Chennai Super Kings in their previous two title winnings campaigns in 2010 and 2011.

The India opener is currently recovering from a rib injury and has every chance to make it to the CSK squad on Sunday against Kings XI Punjab. He will most likely open the innings along with Shane Watson, pushing Rayudu to take Raina's no. 3 slot.

Rayudu is not new to batting at no. 3 position and was successful in that role for Mumbai Indians in the past IPL campaigns. With this option, CSK does not have to shuffle a lot with their batting lineup.

#2 Faf Du Plessis

Du Plessis could return from injury

Faf du Plessis is not new to Chennai Super Kings. The Proteas captain was one of CSK’s most successful overseas players and has scored more than 1000 runs in IPL at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 128.

He was bought by Chennai in the 2018 auction but injured himself in the fourth Test against Australia, just before the IPL. According to CKS’s batting coach Michael Hussey, Faf du Plessis could be available for selection for their next game against Kings XI Punjab.

If he proves his match fitness, du Plessis could open the batting with Shane Watson, which would once again push Ambati Rayudu to take Suresh Raina's spot at no. 3. Karn Sharma will most likely replace Imran Tahir to accommodate Faf du Plessis in the team.

#3 David Willey

David Willey could replace Suresh Raina against the Kings XI on Sunday

David Willey was bought by Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for the injured Kedar Jadhav. Willey is one of the most versatile T20 players in the world at the moment, and has played 147 T20 games so far and scored more 2000 runs at a strike rate of 143. He has also picked up 143 wickets at an economy of 7.8.

The English all-rounder has opened the batting for Perth Scorchers and Yorkshire in the Big Bash League and Natwest T20 respectively, but bats at no. 7 for his national team. He will give a lot of options for MS Dhoni with both the bat and the ball.

He can swing the new ball and is effective with his yorkers in the death overs, while he can also hit the ball a long distance. Once again, Tahir will be the one to lose his place in the team.