'Rachin Ravindra has all the ingredients to become the most valuable player' - Aakash Chopra backs young Kiwi to excel in IPL 2024

Aakash Chopra supported Rachin Ravindra's potential to make an impact for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and make up for the absence of the injured Devon Conway.

Ravindra came of age during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India as he finished as the fourth-highest run-getter in the competition, amassing 578 runs from 10 matches, at an average of 64.22 and also notched up three centuries. The defending champions CSK acquired his services in the IPL Auction for the 2024 edition for INR 1.80 crore.

On Monday, March 4, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that star Chennai and New Zealand opener Devon Conway, who was the third-highest run-getter in IPL 2023, will be out of action with a left thumb injury for at least eight weeks. This came as a huge blow for the Men in Yellow as they will have to find a new partner for Ruturaj Gaikwad up top for the first leg of IPL 2024.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Big blow for Chennai Super Kings as Devon Conway to remain out of action until May

Aakash Chopra, however, is of the opinion that Ravindra will be able to fill up the void left by his compatriot. The former Indian opener pointed out that the southpaw is in the form of his life and backed him to come up trumps in his maiden stint in the marquee league.

“I still feel this team will be fine because they do something and find someone. Here they had already kept an amazing player in the form of Rachin Ravindra as his (Conway's) backup. He had a very good World Cup and he scored runs in Tests also recently. He is in the form of his life,” said Chopra in a video on his official YouTube channel.

You might see Rachin Ravindra's T20 avatar now: Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that Ravindra's T20I numbers aren't too convincing. The 24-year-old has played 20 T20Is for the Black Caps and scored 214 runs at an average of 16.46 and a strike rate of 133.75. However, Chopra lauded Ravindra's all-round abilities and placed his bet on him to be the most valuable player for the five-time champions.

“However, let's be fair, his T20 numbers are not good. T20 numbers not being good and playing for CSK is a good thing. So you might see Rachin Ravindra's T20 avatar now. Left-handed opener and left-arm spin, he has all the ingredients to become the most valuable player,” Chopra added.

Chennai won the title last year after emerging victorious in a thrilling final against Gujarat Titans where Ravindra Jadeja hit a boundary off the last ball of the match to help CSK to its fifth title. The Chennai-based franchise will begin their title defence in IPL 2024 with a clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the curtain-raiser at Chepauk on Friday, March 22.

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