Why did CSK bat Ravindra Jadeja instead of Shivam Dube at No. 4 against LSG?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sprung a surprise by promoting all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to No. 4 in their match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Tuesday. Shivam Dube averages 42.18 with a strike rate of 154.53 at No. 4, whereas Jadeja was dismissed for 16 off 19 deliveries by Mohsin Khan in the 13th over.

However, the CSK management seems adamant to play Jadeja higher up the batting order in a bid to maximise his batting abilities. Lately, the southpaw used to play downt the order in the wake of the waning finishing abilities of former skipper MS Dhoni. Especially in the IPL seasons of 2020 and 2021, Jadeja scored 232 and 227 runs at a strike rate of 171.85 and 145.51 respectively.

However, Dhoni seems to have rediscovered his batting touch this year, limiting his role to the final few overs of the innings. His brute force with the bat is back again, striking at nearly 255 after having notched 87 runs so far. Dhoni has produced impactful cameos against Mumbai Indians (20 off 4) and LSG (28 off 9), taking on the best of bowlers and displaying a wide array of shots that have brought the fans to the edge of their seats.

With Dhoni firing in all cylinders again, CSK perhaps felt the need to use Jadeja in a position where he could get more time to get his eye in. Jadeja has hit 2849 runs in his IPL career, averaging 27.34 at a strike rate of 128.74. He has scored 207 boundaries and 101 maximums, showing a remarkable ability to replace Dhoni as the designated finisher of CSK in the last few seasons.

But, is moving Dube from his preferred position a logical move for that. Ahead of the game against LSG, Dube was averaging 52.80 with a strike rate of 159.04 in IPL 2024, totalling 264 runs in eight matches. He has hammered 22 boundaries and 16 sixes, helping CSK dominate the middle overs given his prowess against spinners and newfound big-hitting skills against speedsters. Will CSK continue with this ploy or return with Dube at No. 4 after Jadeja failed to get going in this match?

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow