IPL 2024: 3 players who can open for CSK with Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings suffered a big blow ahead of IPL 2024 after their talismanic opening batter Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first half of the season. The New Zealand international sustained a thumb injury during the second T20I against Australia in Auckland.

Devon Conway left the field for an X-ray and scan reports ruled out a fracture but was instructed to undergo surgery. He underwent surgery recently and his recovery period is estimated to be for at least eight weeks.

Conway was the leading run-getter for CSK in the last season, piling up 672 runs at an average of 51.69. Notably, he was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 47 off 25 against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024 final.

His absence will indeed be a big blow for CSK going forward in the next season. Here are the three options who can open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad for the forthcoming season.

1. Rachin Ravindra

CSK recruited New Zealand international Rachin Ravindra for INR 1.8 crore at the IPL 2024 auction held in Bengaluru in late December. The left-handed batter who has no prior experience playing the IPL could prove to be a formidable batting weapon for CSK.

Rachin Ravindra will head into the IPL optimistically after a stellar World Cup 2023 campaign, scoring 578 runs in 10 games including 3 centuries and 2 fifties. He could be the right partner for Gaikwad and the left and right-hand combination would work wonders for CSK.

Read more: IPL 2024: 3 Players CSK can sign as Devon Conway’s replacement