Team combination forces Dhoni to sit out Rachin Ravindra

The inevitable finally unfolded, albeit slightly delayed, as Chennai Super Kings made a decisive move ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The MS Dhoni-led side opted to bench the struggling Rachin Ravindra, marking a bold shift in strategy for the high-pressure contest at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

In his place, South African power-hitter Dewald Brevis has been drafted into the playing XI, making his much-anticipated debut for CSK. While the call to sideline Ravindra might have caught some fans off guard, the decision stemmed from two pivotal factors that left the team management with little choice.

Underwhelming strike rate of 128

Chennai’s powerplay struggles have been glaring this season. As a team, CSK have managed to clear the boundary only five times during the first six overs, and all those sixes came in their previous match, courtesy of young guns Ayush Mhatre and Shaikh Rasheed. This glaring lack of firepower has often left the middle order under pressure, and Ravindra’s conservative approach at the top has contributed to the problem.

With a strike rate of just 128 as an opener, significantly lower compared to peers from other franchises consistently striking at 150 or more, Ravindra’s inability to accelerate has weighed heavily on the team’s overall momentum. In the fast-paced format of T20, such a sluggish start can prove costly.

Lack of impact after tournament opener

Rachin Ravindra’s tournament began on a promising note with a vital half-century in the opening match against Mumbai Indians. However, since that innings, the left-hander has failed to make a meaningful contribution. In the following seven games, he has looked completely out of sorts, amassing only 191 runs across eight innings with a solitary fifty to his name.

Despite being given an extended run to regain form, Ravindra was unable to justify his place in the starting lineup. Consequently, the CSK think tank has turned to the dynamic Dewald Brevis, known for his explosive strokeplay and ability to take the attack to the opposition from ball one, exactly the intent Chennai needs in the powerplay.

With playoff hopes hanging by a thread, CSK have made it clear that there’s no room for compromise, only performance will dictate selection.