Why CSK's match-winner Ambati Rayudu isn't part of playing XI vs RR?

The fourth day of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw the Rajasthan Royals (RR) starting their campaign against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The latter side has already won the opening game defeating the four-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI). But ahead of the game against RR, their fans were surprised not to see Ambati Rayudu in the playing XI.

He was the match-winner for the CSK in the previous game scoring a scintillating half-century when the team was in trouble upfront. He stitched a crucial partnership with Faf du Plessis and the duo made it relatively easy for the team to chase down the total in the final over. Rayudu would’ve loved to keep the form going in the second game as well.

But he has been left out of the playing XI as he is not 100% fit to play the game. Ruturaj Gaikwad has replaced him in the team and MS Dhoni confirmed at the toss that Ambati Rayudu wasn’t entirely fit to take the field on the day. “We have one change – Rayudu is not 100 percent, so Ruturaj comes in his place,” he said after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

This is the IPL debut for Ruturaj Gaikwad and he will be hoping to do well batting in the middle-order for the three-time champions.

Steve Smith opens the innings for the RR

Meanwhile, for the Royals, Steve Smith has opened the innings along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The other overseas players for the team are Tom Curran, David Miller and Jofra Archer. The franchise will be hoping for the team to start well in the IPL 2020 even as Robin Uthappa will be looking to perform well on his RR debut too.

During the toss, Smith also confirmed that he is feeling much better now and had his first realistic hit in the nets since being hit on the head during the England tour. With Jos Buttler not available for this game, Smith will be looking to take up the responsibility of scoring a majority of runs in their innings.