Why CSK haven't been able to find a proper replacement for Suresh Raina?

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina, often hailed as Mr. IPL, has been the backbone of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the Indian Premier League's inception in 2008. The left-handed batter's absence seems to have left a massive void that the five-time IPL champions struggled to fill.

It was evident in the ongoing IPL season, where their middle order suddenly collapsed in their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, making them lose their second and third crucial encounters. The side has failed to chase down the totals and suffered three back-to-back defeats despite the great start, winning their opening clash against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at Chepauk.

Notably, Suresh Raina's form and ability to bolster the innings, especially in terms of chasing the total, seem unparalleled now. Surprisingly, the stats have showcased that the franchise was able to chase down over 180 runs rather than nine times out of 17 matches when the Indian dasher was with the franchise. On the other hand, they didn't even manage to get their first win in the absence of Raina in the last ten matches while chasing a 180+ target.

The above stats highlight that Raina was a dependable top-order batter on whom CSK heavily relied. After him, they have not been able to replace him, who could boost the innings and stitch the partnership in the middle order for CSK.

What is the key reason for instability in the middle order for CSK?

The cricketer-turned-analyst was well known for his versatility, which CSK have been struggling to find after the franchise parted ways with Raina in IPL 2022. Raina, being a left-handed batter, always seems to provide a balance with right-handed batters, which has been crucial in stitching the big partnership in the middle order alongside demolishing the opponent's bowlers.

The side possessed great all-rounders in the past, with the likes of Moeen Ali and Mitchell Santner, but they did not manage to replicate Raina's role for the side, which saw both of them getting released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. With former CSK skipper MS Dhoni remaining the cornerstone of the CSK, Suresh Raina's absence exposed a big gap for this franchise.