Ruturaj Gaikwad to open, not Rahul Tripathi: Vaughan suggests CSK batting change
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has suggested that Chennai Super Kings need to make a crucial change in their batting order by promoting skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to open instead of Rahul Tripathi, who has struggled in IPL 2025 so far.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Vaughan highlighted Tripathi’s underwhelming show this season so far and insisted that CSK must capitalise on Gaikwad’s form, that saw him score 63 vs RR, by letting him open. Vaughan stated that the team needs a change in approach to bounce back after winning just one of their three matches so far in IPL 2025.
“Rahul Tripathi just didn’t get going. He has got the technique to go at the ‘V’, has the flicks and the tricks to go fine and behind the wicket, but I think in the powerplay, you gotta go downtown. I think there will be many bowlers who won’t mind running in to bowl to Rahul Tripathi at the minute. He just doesn’t seem to be getting it quite right,” Vaughan said.
“It has been three games now that they have used him at the top. I just wonder whether they (CSK) will now use their captain (Ruturaj Gaikwad) at the top,” he added.
While CSK’s fanbase was initially optimistic about Tripathi’s inclusion after the mega auction in Jeddah, his lacklustre performances have sparked concerns. In the recent clash against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, Tripathi managed just 23 off 19 balls, contributing to CSK’s six-wicket defeat. Apart from the RR game, Tripathi had scored just 2 against Mumbai Indians and 5 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
CSK’s batting woes continue
After opting to bowl first, CSK managed to restrict Rajasthan Royals to 182, largely due to Nitish Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls. However, it was CSK’s own batting collapse that cost them the match. The top-order batters — Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, and Shivam Dube — continued their poor run, leaving Ruturaj Gaikwad to shoulder the scoring responsibility.
Gaikwad’s impressive 63 off 44 balls kept CSK in the hunt, but his dismissal marked the collapse of the innings, with the middle order failing to step up. MS Dhoni’s promotion to number 7 briefly lifted the crowd’s spirits, but his departure on the first ball of the final over, bowled by Sandeep Sharma, sealed CSK’s fate.
With just one win from three matches, CSK will now prepare to face Delhi Capitals, where fans can expect some shuffling in the playing XI to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes.