IPL 2020: 5 legends who might not get to bat at their preferred opening slot

#4 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis opens for CSK but not for South Africa

Faf du Plessis has played at a number of positions for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but he most recently played as an opener alongside Shane Watson in IPL 2019. And in this year's tournament, the South African might not be given an opening slot due to the acquisition of Sam Curran and the withdrawal of Suresh Raina.

If Murali Vijay is trusted to open alongside Shane Watson or even Ambati Rayudu, Du Plessis could find himself at No. 3 or even No. 4. CSK could even opt for a left-field choice by promoting Curran to the top of the order, leaving the former Proteas skipper to come in at the fall of a wicket or two.

In the absence of Raina, Du Plessis could lend some much-needed solidity to the middle order and having played the role for his country throughout his career, he will be well equipped for the job.

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#3 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has batted at No. 4 for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL

Another player whose batting position might be sacrificed by the withdrawal of Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu could also be pushed to No. 3 or No. 4 alongside Du Plessis. The Hyderabad batsman came in at No. 4 for the major part of last year's IPL and played at the position for his previous franchise, the Mumbai Indians (MI), as well.

Rayudu playing after the openers would lend some balance and solidity, and if he were to play the anchor role, the other middle order batsmen among MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Dwayne Bravo could play attacking roles around him.

This seems like the most likely option that CSK will pursue in IPL 2020, which leaves Rayudu resigned to lose the opening slot at which he's had so much success for the team in the previous editions of IPL.