IPL 2022: Ambati Rayudu And Robin Uthappa Will Be X-Factors For CSK: Brad Hogg

Former Australian player Brad Hogg said experienced players Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu will be the key players for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022.

In his first season with CSK, although Uthappa played just four games for the eventual champions, he made sure his every contribution was counted. He slammed 63 runs from 44 balls at the strike rate of 143.18, his innings was laced with seven fours and a couple of sixes.

Rayudu scored 602 runs in IPL 2018 which CSK had won after returning from a two-year ban period. The Hyderabad player has been a vital cog in the team’s batting line-up and can bat anywhere as the team management wants.

Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa can take the pressure off the lower order: Brad Hogg

Both Rayudu (6.75 crore) and Uthappa (2 crore) were once again bought by CSK in the IPL 2022 auction.

“Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa, in the middle order are going to be the X-Factors in the CSK side. They can take the pressure off the lower order,” Hogg said on his YouTube Channel. 

Devon Conway could open with Ruturaj Gaikwad: Brad Hogg

CSK tried to bid for South Africa player Faf du Plessis but couldn’t manage to purchase him as Royal Challengers roped him in for INR 7 crore. That breaks CSK’s opening pair of Faf and Ruturaj Gaikwad who were instrumental in the team’s title triumph.

Hogg believes New Zealand’s left-handed batter Devon Conway could become the new opening partner of Ruturaj in IPL 2022.

“I’m also gonna go with Conway opening the batting; I think he can play a huge role and bat through the innings and do a du Plessis job. CSK did really well at the auction, and they’ve got a very very good balanced team. They pick a lot of younger players and hope that they come through as Gaikwad did,” he said. 

CSK also got the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Narayan Jagadeeshan and KM Asif back to their set up with players like Maheesh Theekshana, Chris Jordan, Dwaine Pretorious, Rajvardhan Hangargekar are the new faces in the team.

Also Read: IPL 2022: CSK To Launch Super Kings Academies In Chennai And Salem