Which players will sit on the bench in CSK vs RCB match? Aakash Chopra reveals

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra, in his latest YouTube video, picked his predicted playing XI for Chennai Super Kings‘ IPL 2024 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore later tonight. Chopra’s CSK XI looks very strong and from the first look, the team, which is now going to be under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, looks very balanced and has plenty of depth in it.

Yesterday, major shockwaves were sent all over the cricketing fraternity when MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, just a day before their title defense commencement. The 5-time winners will set out for their title defense under Gaikwad with his captaincy tenure starting from today in the first South-Indian derby of IPL 2024. With anticipation going over the roof, all of us are just waiting for the clock to turn to 8 PM, but how will CSK line up? Aakash Chopra explained.

Aakash Chopra backs Rachin Ravindra to open with Gaikwad and pushes Dhoni to number 8

Aakash Chopra, who himself has played 2 IPL seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders, backed New Zealand top-order batsman Rachin Ravindra to make his debut later today. The Kiwi, who had a sensational ICC Cricket World Cup 2024 campaign in India last year, was bought at a bargain price of 1.8 Crore.

Given his quality, that was a clear theft from the CSK management and Aakash Chopra wants to see him open along with new captain Ruturaj. Then Ajinkya Rahane, who is coming fresh from Mumbai’s 42nd Ranji Trophy title win will come in at number 3. Rahane had a decent last season, scoring 326 runs at a daunting 172.49 strike rate from 14 matches. He had a revelation kind of a season in 2023 and expect nothing less from the experienced batter this year.

Up next at number 4, Aakash Chopra picked CSK’s 14 crore Kiwi buy Daryl Mitchell, who too, had a sensational outing in CWC 2023. From 10 matches, including the semi-final, Mitchell scored 552 runs at an average of 69 and a best of 134. Then at 5, it will be left-hand batter Shivam Dube who had a 418-run 2023 season where he was key in CSK’s charge to their 5th IPL title.

In at 6 will be experienced English all-rounder Moeen Ali and at 7 and 8 will be two of Chennai’s pillars – Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni. In the bowling front, Aakash Chopra chose to go with Deepak Chahar, and Shardul Thakur and since Pathirana was not available, he backed Maheesh Theekshana to start.

“Rachin Ravindra will open alongside Ruturaj. Ajinkya Rahane at No. 3, Daryl Mitchell at No. 4, and then Shivam Dube. After that, you will say whether you need Moeen Ali there. You might need him as (Matheesha) Pathirana is not there and which other overseas options are available.” – Aakash Chopra said via his latest YouTube video.

“After that, Ravindra Jadeja, and then there is MS Dhoni. If you are bowling first, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur and because Pathirana is not there, Maheesh Theekshana of course.” – Chopra concluded.

CSK aiming to continue their dominance over RCB

Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings will be aiming to keep their dominance intact against Royal Challengers Bangalore and hope to start their 2024 campaign in style. CSK have had a solid grip in the South Indian derby as they have won 20 out of the 31 matches with RCB winning just 10. The contest has come without a result only once. If RCB wins, it will be their first victory against the Yellow Army since May 4, 2022.