Why is Ambati Rayudu not playing today’s IPL 2020 match vs Rajasthan Royals?

Ambati Rayudu not playing: The in-form batsman from Chennai Super Kings will miss tonight’s match against Rajasthan Royals.

During the fourth match of the ongoing 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and opted to field for the second time in this tournament.

“We will bowl first. Dew is one of the factor. What we have seen is consistent amount of dew all over, whenever there is a question mark when it comes to dew you want to chase.

“I feel this is one venue where the wicket will be entirely different compared to the other two venues. People will prepare differently for the matches over here. As of now looks good but it will slow down as the match progresses. I don’t know how hard the surface is underneath,” Dhoni was quoted as saying during the toss.

Why is Ambati Rayudu not playing today’s match?

Rajasthan Royals, who will be playing their first match of IPL 2020, have handed a debut to opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal, South Africa’s David Miller, all-rounder Rahul Tewatia and England’s Tom Curran.

“Probably would have bowled as well. The dew factor as MS [Dhoni] just pointed out will come into the game. Bat first and hopefully we do it well. Took a little bit longer than I would have liked. I had my first hit yesterday and it went well,” Smith said during the toss.

As far as the changes for CSK are concerned, they have included uncapped batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad for veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu. In what is a forced change, Dhoni talked about their ‘Man of the Match’ from the previous match not being 100% fit.

Last Match’s hero Rayudu not a 100% Promising Ruturaj gets a go. Forced changes is what you see with Dhoni. The key to #CSK successful run is Dhoni’s ability to identify the best XI right at the beginning. And then sticking to it for as long as possible. #CSKvRR

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 22, 2020

“We have one change – [Ambati] Rayudu is not 100 percent, so Ruturaj [Gaikwad] comes in his place. Adaptability is the key in the shortest format. You need to quickly judge what length to bowl on that particular surface and to that particular batsmen,” Dhoni added.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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