IPL 2024: ‘These are not good signs,’ Sehwag blasts CSK for dropping Rachin Ravindra

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has slammed Chennai Super Kings (CSK)captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for dropping Rachin Ravindra during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday (Apr 23).

Sehwag said Gaikwad was deviating from CSK's core philosophy of giving the long rope to players by making constant changes to the squad composition.

“They aren't playing bad, but this is the first time I have seen Chennai making constant changes. Gaikwad was opening, then Rahane was sent top of the order, now Gaikwad is back as opener and today Rachin Ravindra has been given a break. These are not good signs for CSK," said Sehwag on Cricbuzz.

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Sehwag said the Kiwi batter was not even batting poorly which warranted exclusion from the squad.

"Every time they have done that, they failed to make the playoffs. It's not that Rachin batted horribly so far, couple of his innings were good. Usually, CSK stick with the players," said the ex-Indian opener.

"But first they benched Daryl Mitchell, now Rachin, it could be someone else in the next game. These are not good changes. And these are not tactical changes. I feel CSK look in bit of a haste in making these changes in the last few matches."

CSK's success over the years in the tournament has been built on the belief that players should be given a consistent run to show their true potential. Head coach Stephen Fleming and former captain MS Dhoni instilled the philosophy that has served the franchise well so far, as the five trophies show.

CSK vs LSG

Ruturaj lost the toss yet again as LSG captain KL Rahul opted to bowl first. Rahane opened the batting alongside Gaikwad but the former could not get going and lost to the guile of Matt Henry who bowled excellent lines to set him up.

Mitchell's poor form with the bat continued as he played a laborious 10-ball 11-run innings before being dismissed by Yash Thakur. CSK management persisted with Ravindra Jadeja on the no. 4 spot but the southpaw could not impose himself on the game and departed in the 12th over.

While others struggled, Gaikwad kept hold of one end and smashed his second IPL century, allowing CSK to set the platform for a mega finish.

Playing XI's:

Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana

Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul(w/c), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur