IPL 2022: Wasim Jaffer Elaborates On Why CSK Is Missing Faf du Plessis In Their Batting Lineup

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer opined that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting order has been severely affected due to the absence of their prolific South African opener, Faf du Plessis.

They didn’t retain him ahead of the auction and he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) where he was also named the captain. In his absence, CSK has had a poor start in all four matches they have played and lost.

“Du Plessis did a wonderful job with Gaikwad because of which their three, four, and five could bat freely and that is not happening this year. That is why they are not able to put up the total they want to put and help their bowling defend their total,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.

Their new opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa hasn’t had the same impact as Ruturaj and du Plessis, who were the top two run-getters in CSK’s title-winning campaign in the IPL 2021 season.

“They miss a wicket-taker in the powerplay. Plus, Ruturaj and Uthappa not scoring. If one of your top four does not bat for 14 or 15 overs it’s going to be very hard,” he further added.

Notably, CSK is also missing the services of Deepak Chahar, who is their chief wicket-taker in the powerplays. Without him, the Chennai franchise has struggled to defend totals in excess of 200 as well.

CSK squad for IPL 2022:

Ravindra Jadeja (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Dwaine Pretorious, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Tushar Deshpande, Deepak Chahar (injured), Adam Milne, Chris Jordan, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, KM Asif, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, Bhagath Varma, Hari Nishanth, Subranshu Senapati.

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