New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have faced heavy criticism for allowing Rachin Ravindra to practice at CSK academy ahead of the three-match Test series against India. He scored 256 runs in the series at an average of 51.20, including one century.
He was the highest run-scorer for New Zealand and helped his team win their first-ever Test series in India. Rachin was bought by CSK in the IPL 2024 auction for INR 1.8 crore. He played 10 matches and scored 222 runs at an average of 22.20 at a strike rate of 160.87.
He was not retained by CSK ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction but the Chennai-based franchise allowed him to practise at CSK academy which helped him immensely in the series. After scoring a match-winning hundred in the first Test in Bengaluru, Rachin said that he practiced on both red soil and black soil surfaces and was grateful to CSK for the invaluable experience.
“I was trying to get a read of different surfaces, red roil and black soil, and seeing what sort of guard I can stand on for different kinds of bowlers. Nets every single day, net bowlers coming in, all that was invaluable experience. Very grateful for those guys putting it on (facilities in Chennai)” Rachin said in the post-match presentation.
‘The interest of the country comes ahead of your franchise players’: Robin Uthappa
Former India and CSK player Robin Uthappa slammed the franchise for helping Rachin Ravindra ahead of the India series. He said that CSK need to draw a line where the interest of the country comes ahead of your franchise players, especially when he is a foreign player and comes to play against your own country.
“Rachin Ravindra came here and practiced at the CSK Academy. CSK is a beautiful franchise that will always look after its franchise players but a line has to be drawn where the interest of the country comes ahead of your franchise players, especially when he is a foreign player and comes and plays against our country” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
Uthappa further added that he loves CSK and is not surprised that the franchise always goes over and above for their players but when it comes to the country, there should be a line somewhere.
Former India cricketer slammed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for helping Rachin Ravindra ahead of the Test series against India. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
