Cricket

Murali Vijay can replace Suresh Raina in IPL 2020: Shane Watson

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Shane Watson reckons Murali Vijay has the skills to fill in the big shoes of Suresh Raina in the upcoming season of the IPL 2020. Raina had earlier pulled out of the IPL due to personal reasons. Watson feels it would be difficult to replace a player as big as Raina but has backed Murali Vijay to fill in the void.

 

Vijay hasn’t got a lot of opportunities to be in the playing XI and Raina’s exit can open doors to his selection in the team. The right-hander has done a decent job for CSK in the past but he hasn’t been a regular part of the team in the last few seasons.

 

Consequently, the flamboyant Tamil Nadu batsman will like to grab his opportunities if he gets a place in the final XI of the team. Vijay has the experience under his belt and he has scored 2587 runs in 103 IPL matches at an average of 26.7 and a strike rate of 122.7.

 

Vijay had earlier opened the innings for CSK and had done a fine job. In fact, Vijay had scored a fine knock of 95 runs in the final of the IPL 2011 and thus he was awarded the Player of the match.

 

Watson feels they would need to deal with the absence of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh. However, the former Australian all-rounder added that they have the depth in their squad to make up for these two veteran players.

 

“No doubt he [Raina] is a big loss but we have got someone like Murali Vijay, who is a gun player. In T20 cricket, he has not got a lot of opportunities in the last few years. But he is a seriously good batsman. He was sitting on the sidelines last year, he might get more opportunities this year,” said Watson on a YouTube show hosted by Nabeel Hashmi.

 

Meanwhile, Shane Watson would also look to be at his best for CSK in the upcoming season. Watson is expected to open the innings with Ambati Rayudu and they are going to hold the key for the three-time champions.

 

The Australian has scored 3575 runs in 134 IPL matches at an average of 31.08 and a strike rate of 139.53. CSK will play their opening match against reigning champions Mumbai Indians on 19th September at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Related Post
Share
Published by
Website Admin

Recent Posts

LeBron James opens up on new All-Star Game format, says something had to change

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has opened up on new All-Star Game format. James,… Read More

December 20, 2024

Sunil Chhetri reveals how leadership onus helped him in his career

India’s football icon Sunil Chhetri has had a glorious career as he has ticked the… Read More

December 20, 2024

East Bengal FC midfielder Madih Talal ruled out for rest of the season due to knee injury

East Bengal FC midfielder Madih Talal has been ruled out of the rest of the… Read More

December 20, 2024

Christopher Clarey sheds lights on Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray alliance, says Serb has always tapped into smart, high-level tennis players

Renowned Tennis journalist Christopher Clarey has shed light on Novak Djokovic appointing Andy Murray as… Read More

December 20, 2024

Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim has no regrets after dropping Marcus Rashford

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted he has no regrets after dropping Marcus… Read More

December 20, 2024

Sanju Samson reveals how Gautam Gambhir gave him clarity and confidence

India’s wicket-keeper bat Sanju Samson has revealed head coach Gautam Gambhir has played an instrumental… Read More

December 20, 2024