IPL 2020: 4 ways CSK's middle order can line up in the absence of Suresh Raina

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vice-captain Suresh Raina recently pulled out of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), with the brutal attack by robbers on his family in Punjab reported to be the reason behind his withdrawal.

CSK's leading run-scorer in the history of the league will certainly be missed in IPL 2020. Raina, who has all but reserved the No. 3 spot in the CSK batting line-up, has played every single IPL season so far.

Given that he will not be a part of IPL 2020, various pundits have voiced their opinions on possible replacements, with Hanuma Vihari, Yusuf Pathan and Manoj Tiwary being some of the names thrown into the mix.

CSK haven't yet confirmed their plans to replace Raina, and with the current options in the team, we take a look at 3 ways in which the middle order (positions 3 to 5) can line up.

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#4 CSK captain MS Dhoni could step in for Raina at No. 3 in IPL 2020

MS Dhoni could finally move up the order in IPL 2020

Middle Order: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav

Perhaps the most left-field choice on this list due to the fact that it has been more than a decade since MS Dhoni came in regularly at No. 3, the option of the CSK skipper moving up the order is one that greatly appeals to fans.

Dhoni has always expressed his desire to bat higher up the order and now that he has retired from international cricket and is heading towards the twilight of his IPL career, he now has the freedom to do so. The wicket-keeper's experience and big hitting could make him a perfect candidate to replace Raina at No. 3, with CSK having a host of lower middle order batsmen who could undertake the finisher's role.

Dhoni batting at No. 3 is an option that has been backed by legendary Indian cricketers, with the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly stating that the former Indian captain can be at his destructive best at the position. As the 39-year-old's career winds down, an unbridled version of his batting could be unleashed during IPL 2020.

Murali Vijay could open alongside Shane Watson or Faf du Plessis, with Ambati Rayudu coming in at No. 4. If CSK opt to replace Raina in the playing XI with someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rayudu could be made to open, with the young batsman coming in at No. 4.

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#3 Sam Curran could be a like-for-like replacement at No. 3 in IPL 2020

Sam Curran has shown what he's capable of with the bat in hand

Middle Order: Sam Curran, Ambati Rayudu/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kedar Jadhav

A highly underrated aspect of Raina's success at No. 3 is the fact that he is a left-hander, and he has given opposition bowlers all sorts of dilemmas both in the powerplay and in the middle overs.

Since the only other southpaw at CSK's disposal is all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, they could majorly benefit from new acquisition Sam Curran being given a promotion. With his cutters and slower balls, the England all-rounder is expected to be a fixture in the CSK playing XI for IPL 2020.

And while Curran is perhaps better suited to the opener's role, he could certainly be a like-for-like replacement for Raina, although this is another left-field choice. The replacement names that are doing the rounds are also all right-handers, and the 22-year-old would add variety to the middle order.

Curran is more than capable with the bat in hand, as he has shown on multiple occasions for the Three Lions, and could prove to be a very smart buy by CSK in 2020 IPL auction.

As mentioned above, either Gaikwad or Rayudu could step in at No. 4, with MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja making up the lower middle order.

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#2 Ruturaj Gaikwad could be a straight swap at No. 3 in IPL 2020

Gaikwad could slot right in at No. 3 for CSK in IPL 2020

Middle Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu/Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav

Young Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad recently tested positive for COVID-19, and this option is clearly subject to his fast recovery. The 23-year-old has been on the fringes of the CSK playing XI for some time now, and absence of Raina may just catapult him right into the No. 3 position in IPL 2020.

Gaikwad has a superb T20 record, with 843 runs in 28 games at an average of 33.7 and a strike rate of 135.3. With his youthful exuberance and electric fielding, the Maharashtra batsman could inject energy into an ageing CSK side.

Should Gaikwad be trusted with the crucial No. 3 role, either Ambati Rayudu or Faf du Plessis could fill in at No. 4. Depending upon CSK's overseas combination (the inclusion of Sam Curran looks highly likely), one of the two batsmen could be promoted to the an opening slot.

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#1 CSK could opt for a tried-and-tested combination in IPL 2020

Rayudu's experience could make him the best candidate for the No. 3 role in IPL 2020

Middle Order: Ambati Rayudu/Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni

As mentioned earlier, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson might just fight it out for the final overseas slot if Curran is trusted to play a big role for CSK (with Bravo and Imran Tahir being the other two).

Should the former get the nod, he could make the No. 3 position his own, while if he is made to open, Rayudu could come in at one-drop. This would probably be the best possible middle order combination for CSK, given both batsmen's experience and solidity.

MS Dhoni has shown a propensity to stick to a stable XI, and this is the team that will look least different from one that has Suresh Raina it. After either Rayudu or Du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav could come in at No. 4, followed by Dhoni and Co.

Murali Vijay could open the innings, as he has done so many times for CSK in the past, and the 3-time IPL champions might just manage to make do without Raina.