Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Chennai Super Kings to make subtle changes to their batting order after they suffered a hammering loss of eight wickets against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Monday.

With Dewald Brevis currently injured, Ashwin reckons Ayush Mhatre and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad should open whereas Sanju Samson should bat at one drop. Ashwin wants CSK’s top-order to keep wickets in hand and accelerate after getting settled at the crease.

CSK found themselves under the cosh at 38-4 in the Powerplay overs against RR as they could not survive in tough batting conditions. Ashwin believes Gaikwad was forced to show intent after getting off to a sluggish start against RR.

“The game was over when Sanju, Ayush, and Ruturaj were dismissed in the powerplay. Gaikwad’s dismissal was a Catch-22 situation. T20 is a format where you have to show intent. What Ruturaj did today, I won’t say that was wrong, because he showed intent,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“If this remains CSK’s batting order for the next two games, I can say one thing 100 per cent, these guys should not lose their wickets in the first 10 overs. Keep the wickets in hand, and then you can accelerate accordingly and increase the score. Capitalise towards the end. Now that Brevis is not there, Ruturaj and Ayush should open, and Sanju should come in at No.3,” he suggested.

The former CSK all-rounder said the five-time champions’ situation is not that good as they don’t have depth in bowling.

“Their situation is not that good, there is not much depth in bowling as well. We already know there is something lacking in the bowling, but even the batting failed today, But this will not happen in every match. The wicket in this match was also like this, they lost a crucial toss as well. All said and done, quite a disappointing game for CSK,” the former India player said.

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Friday.