Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Backs This Player To Replace Suresh Raina At No. 3 For CSK

Former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan tips a foreign player to replace Suresh Raina for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Suresh Raina departed from the UAE ahead of the 13th edition of IPL under unfortunate circumstances, citing personal reasons as justification. While the theories exist aplenty none of which has received confirmation. Meanwhile, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan tips Sam Curran to take the place of Raina.

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Sam Curran was one of the four players that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought in the auction for INR 5.50 crores.

The left-arm seam bowling all-rounder made his IPL debut last year for the Kings XI Punjab and scored 95 runs in nine matches and picked ten wickets, including a hattrick. Curran also slammed an unbeaten 55 off 24 deliveries.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan reckons that most teams deploy leg-spinners to trouble right-handed batsmen; however, he remains confident that left-handers would negate them with ease. Hence, the loss of a veteran like Suresh Raina is a massive dent in their squad.

“In T20s, most teams employ leg-spinners to trouble the right-handers. But then, a left-hander could negotiate with leggies easily. So the loss of such an established batsman like Raina would hurt CSK,” the Chennai-born cricketer told Times of India.

He can bat at No. 3 and give CSK those useful runs: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

The 54-year old backed Sam Curran to perform the role, bat at number three to give the yellow army the valuable runs. The former cricketer recollects seeing MS Dhoni preferring left-arm pacemen as well and lauded the 22-year old for his ability to swing the ball and fielding well.

“But they have a utility player in Curran and could send the southpaw up the order. He can bat at No. 3 and give CSK those useful runs. Over the years, we have also seen Dhoni preferring left-arm pacers. Curran can come in handy since he can swing the ball in the air and is a very enthusiastic fielder,”Laxman Sivaramakrishnan maintained.

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