Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa are going to be X-factors for Chennai Super Kings in the middle-order in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Uthappa was bought by CSK for his base price of INR 2 crores whereas Ambati Rayudu was roped in for INR 6.75 crores.

Thus, CSK continued with its philosophy of backing experience in the team. Uthappa had scored a crucial knock of 63 runs in the Qualifier of IPL 2021 against Delhi Capitals. Furthermore, he had scored a fine cameo of 31 runs off just 15 balls in the final against KKR.

On the other hand, Ambati Rayudu had scored 257 runs in 13 innings of IPL 2021 and had scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.17. Rayudu and Robin Uthappa have all the experience under their belt and they would aim to once again deliver for CSK. As CSK could not retain Faf du Plessis, Robin Uthappa can also open the innings for four-time champions.

Brad Hogg said on his YouTube Channel, “Ambati Rayudu and Robin Uthappa, in the middle order are going to be the X-Factors in the CSK side. They can take the pressure off the lower order.

“I’m also gonna go with Conway opening the batting; I think he can play a huge role and bat through the innings and do a du Plessis job. CSK did really well at the auction, and they’ve got a very very good balanced team. They pick a lot of younger players and hope that they come through as Gaikwad did,” he explained.

Chennai Super Kings will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against previous season runners-up Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26.

CSK Squad: Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Devon Conway, Subhranshu Senapati, Hari Nishanth

Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni, Ambati Rayudu, N Jagadeeshan

Allrounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Dwayne Bravo, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorious, Mitchell Santner, Chris Jordan, Bhagath Verma

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, KM Asif, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekhana, Adam Milne, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki.