‘The days of diesel engine are over, we have EVs now’ - Aakash Chopra’s strong message to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2023

After a disappointing season last time around, Chennai Super Kings will eye to make a comeback in the 16th edition of the IPL and once again challenge for the prestigious title. In order to do so, they have signed some top-quality players like Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, and Sisanda Magala, among many others, in the IPL auction, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has his doubts regarding CSK’s tactics for the forthcoming season.

The 45-year-old pointed out that Stokes often takes his time to settle down, and thus, the franchise should have signed an attacking player. He believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad plays a similar brand of cricket, and thus, the team could have looked for other options. However, since the signings are done, and the plans are ready, Chopra wants Ruturaj to play an aggressive brand of cricket, just like Robin Uthappa used to do in the past.

“As we saw in the World Cup as well, he (Stokes) likes to take his time in the middle. He plays better at no.3 as well, and in the IPL, his only century came when he batted up in the order. So, it's hard to understand what's happening there. Robin (Uthappa) isn't there anymore, so were they searching for his replacement?” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel

“It is possible that Ruturaj Gaikwad hits the ground up and running. Right now, he starts slowly and picks pace as he builds the innings. But the days of diesel engine are over, we have EVs now. Ruturaj has to become an electric vehicle,” he added while talking about Gaikwad.

Notably, the MS Dhoni-led side will begin their season against the defending champions Gujarat Titans on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of that, the Men in Yellow played some intrasquad matches at their den, Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, where the skipper got a great reception from the home crowd. 

Read the IPL schedule here