Ravichandra Ashwin, a former Chennai Super Kings player and veteran India off-spinner, has reached out to his ex-employers, asking for “help” with tickets for his kids to watch the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener between CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. “Unreal ticket demand for the #CSKvRCB #IPL2024 opener at Chepauk. My kids want to see the opening ceremony and the game. @ChennaiIPL pls help,” Ashwin posted on microblogging website ‘X’ on Monday. He expressed gratitude towards former India skipper MS Dhoni for providing him with opportunities that contributed significantly to his growth in the sport.
Ashwin recalled his early days with CSK during the inaugural edition, where he was surrounded by cricketing legends like Mathew Hayden and Dhoni. Despite initially feeling like an outsider in the team dominated by stars like Muttiah Muralitharan, Ashwin cherished the experience and guidance he received. Ashwin made his Test debut in November 2011 against the West Indies and recently achieved the milestone of playing 100 Test matches for India during the fifth Test against England in Dharamshala. He also joined an elite club by becoming only the second bowler, after Muttiah Muralitharan, to claim 500 wickets in fewer than 100 Test matches.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey said that CSK captain MS Dhoni is as match-fit and has been batting as well as ever during practice in the lead-up to the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He said that Dhoni will reprise his batting role from last season and that Rachin Ravindra and even Ajinkya Rahane might open the innings in Devon Conway’s absence. CSK opener Devon Conway and pacer Matheesha Pathirana are set to miss the first set of fixtures due to injury. Hussey said that they have enough depth in the squad to cover it at this stage, but we will miss them for their skills and character around the team.
He said that Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane might open the innings in Conway’s absence. CSK bought 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh batter Sameer Rizvi for Rs. 8.40 crore in the auction. Rizvi, with two centuries and a fifty, scored 455 runs in 10 matches at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of over 188 in the UP T20 League last year. Recently, he smashed a triple ton (312) against Saurashtra in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy quarterfinal. CSK is working with Sameer Rizvi personally and helping him improve his game for this IPL and for the coming years. Asked if Rizvi is about to play Ambati Rayudu’s role, the Australian said that he can definitely play that role.