Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra questioned Chennai Super Kings’ batting order after MS Dhoni’s team suffered a six-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Tuesday.
Chopra questioned the five-time champions for sending Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja at number four and five, respectively. While Jadeja was dismissed for a solitary run, Ashwin managed a 7-ball 13.
In-form batters like Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube batted at number six and seven, respectively for MS Dhoni’s team.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Very interestingly, Chennai made changes in their batting order. They sent Ashwin at No. 4 and Jaddu at No. 5. This team does incredible things. I couldn’t understand it. How can you send Ashwin and Jaddu at No. 4 and No. 5? It’s okay if you send one as a pinch-hitter, but why the second?”
The renowned commentator highlighted that Shivam Dube, who scored 39 runs off 32 balls, was forced to bat cautiously after CSK lost five wickets.
“You keep wondering as they have Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube as well. If Jadeja is coming at No. 5, Brevis at No. 6, that means Shivam Dube at No. 7. Is that right? You might say that he still got to play 30 balls, but there is a small difference. Five wickets would have fallen when someone comes at No. 7, and then he feels he has to play cautiously because if he gets out while hitting, they won’t even play 20 overs,” he observed.
The former Delhi player noted that CSK is not utilising Dube’s power-hitting by batting him lower down the order.
“Shivam Dube, who used to be an incredible player, has become half this season because he has been pushed so low in the batting order. I am not particularly impressed. Dewald Brevis at No. 6 and Shivam Dube at No. 7, it makes very little sense,” Chopra stated.
CSK will play their last game of the season against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.
