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In three IPL 2025 matches played so far for Chennai Super Kings, the 34-year-old right-handed batter has scored 2, 5 and 23 runs.
Harbhajan Singh wants CSK to drop Rahul Tripathi from playing XI. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has now donned the hat of an expert and commentator, is not happy with Chennai Super Kings performance in the ongoing 2025 season of the Indian Premier League. According to the three-time IPL winner with the Mumbai Indians and one-time champion with the Chennai Super Kings, the Super Kings are making too many mistakes.
He questioned the team management’s decision to play Rahul Tripathi as opener. Harbhajan feels Tripathi is a good player, but he should not be picked in the playing XI. The 2011 ODI World Cup winner slammed Tripathi’s batting stance and said he is shaking too much while batting.
“Chennai lost back-to-back matches. They are making too many mistakes. First, they are playing Rahul Tripathi as an opener. Tripathi is shaking his body more but not scoring runs. Sorry, Tripathi is a very good player, very hard-working, but I am crystal clear that he should not be picked in the XI. If you are shaking too much while batting, then when will you see the ball? – runs are not coming, and the intent is also not visible at the moment from him,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is a proper opener, has sacrificed himself at number 3 for Tripathi. The opening pair has always been a big strength for Chennai Super Kings, be it Matthew Hayden, Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, or even Devon Conway,” he added.
In the three IPL 2025 matches played so far for Chennai Super Kings, Tripathi has scored 2, 5 and 23 runs for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side.
For the upcoming matches, Harbhajan wants CSK team management to include New Zealand batter Devon Conway in the playing XI and open the innings with him.
“Conway is also in the team, but he is not getting the chance in the XI. They have been clueless so far while picking the XI. I don’t think Tripathi should get a place in the XI, but Conway definitely does,” he said.
CSK signed the left-handed batter from New Zealand for Rs 6.25 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 32-year-old cricketer has played 23 matches for the Men in Yellow, and with the help of nine fifties, has scored 924 runs.
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