CSK vs PBKS: Ravindra Jadeja Is Under Pressure, Ruturaj Gaikwad Needs To Give Himself Some Time- Ravi Shastri

Former Indian player Ravi Shastri pointed out Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) weakness in their successive losses in the IPL 2022. CSK lost their first two games against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) while defending their target.

CSK vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction

CSK posted a low score of 131 in the IPL 2022 opener against KKR and despite scoring 210 against IPL debutants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the inexperienced bowling unit of CSK failed to defend the big total.

Ravindra Jadeja loses the first two matches as CSK captain

The only solace for CSK supporters in those two matches was the return of Dhoni – the finisher- as the former skipper scored 50 off 38 balls in the first match to power CSK to 131 and made 16 in six balls to take past his side over 200-run mark.

Just ahead of the season, CSK stalwart MS Dhoni stunned his fans by announcing his decision to relinquish the captaincy after leading the team in 213 matches in 12 seasons.

CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was the highest run-scorer of IPL 2021 with 635 runs in 16 games, hasn’t delivered up to his potential for the four-time IPL champions in the first two games. The Maharashtra player was dismissed for a duck by KKR pacer Umesh Yadav in the first game and could only add one run in the second before he was run out by Ravi Bishnoi.

Ruturaj Gaikwad can make up for the slow starts later in the innings: Ravi Shastri

Shastri believes Jadeja is under pressure after losing the first two games and Ruturaj should allow himself the space to score runs and play an anchor’s role in the innings.

“It’s a cause for concern when both openers are not performing. It’s very important for one of the openers to strike form as soon as possible because they have lost two matches. There’s a new captain at the helm, and he’s under pressure. Yes, Dhoni is in form but if one of those openers doesn’t score then CSK will find it difficult in this tournament,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo.

“Ruturaj needs to give himself some time. He’s a good timer of the ball, he can make up for the slow starts later because he has a lot of shots. If he’s a bit careful at the start and gets a bit used to the pace of the wicket, the runs will automatically come… These pitches are good for batting. In comparison to last year, there’s more bounce on this wicket and the ball is coming onto the bat nicely,” Shastri added.

CSK will play against Mayank Agarwal-led Punjab Kings on Sunday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: LSG vs CSK: There Was A Lot Of Dew, We Will Have To Practice With Wet Ball – Ravindra Jadeja After 6-wicket Loss To LSG