‘If Jadeja is coming at No. 6, your batting has become extremely weak’- Aakash Chopra questions CSK’s Batting Strategy

Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricket player, has expressed concern about the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) weak batting lineup in advance of their April 8 IPL 2025 matchup with the Punjab Kings (PBKS).

The five-time champs’ middle- and lower-order batting order continues to be a huge worry, Chopra noted, despite some improvement in the top order. Ravindra Jadeja is batting too high in the lineup, which might be costly, particularly if the top order isn’t doing well, he expressly pointed out.

“They appear to have a lot of flaws.” How are you going to get by? Even while you may have corrected the top three, the batting after that is in terrible shape. They weren’t game-winning runs, but Vijay Shankar did score some. So far, Shivam Dube has failed to score runs,” Chopra posted on his YouTube page.

“If Jadeja is at number six, Jaddu is at least one or two numbers too high. Jadeja’s noteworthy T20 knocks—I’m not referring to cameos—have grown increasingly rare, if we are being completely honest. Chopra continued, “Your batting has gotten really poor if Jaddu is coming at No. 6, especially if your top order is disintegrating and you aren’t making runs in the powerplay.

The left-handed all-rounder has amassed 76 runs in four innings of the current IPL 2025 season at a strike rate of 122.58.

Dhoni’s batting is lacking: Aakash Chopra,

Concerns regarding MS Dhoni’s batting performance and CSK’s general strategy under duress were also raised by the former player. Regardless of Dhoni or any other player at number seven, he saw that the squad lacks purpose and frequently surrenders too soon during difficult chases.

“The truth is that Dhoni is not batting well, regardless of who the number seven pick is. Even if you weren’t trying to win the last match, there was a huge question. No matter if it was the Guwahati match or the last match, you accept defeat extremely easily. You tend to run out of steam quite fast. Chopra put it this way: “You give up and say you can’t do it.”

Let’s give Shaik Rasheed a chance: Aakash Chopra

The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster has doubts about CSK’s prospects of getting better and questioned Ravichandran Ashwin’s continued presence in the starting lineup. He recommended giving young batsman Shaik Rasheed, who has been with the team for some time, a chance.

“I’m afraid that things won’t get much better from here. It was mentioned elsewhere that Shaik Rasheed should be given a chance because they have kept him in the team for a long time and Ashwin shouldn’t be playing because he hasn’t been very efficient. I have no idea,” Chopra continued.