Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s shot selection, which led to his dismissal in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as well. However, he could only score six runs off 11 deliveries in the eight-wicket defeat at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, on Monday, March 30.

“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,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

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“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 again shared.

However, R Ashwin also added that there are a few issues, particularly in CSK’s bowling department, as RR chased down the score quite comfortably. He also expects the team to bounce back and put the poor performance down to conditions as well.

“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,” R Ashwin concluded.