Indian Premier League's (IPL) legendary leg-spinner Piyush Chawla feels that the five-time champions seemed confused looking at their selection calls for the campaign opener against Rajasthan Royals (RR). In the absence of an injured Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan made his CSK debut at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati. Chawla feels Sarfaraz was not in CSK's initial plans and they only played him because the top-order collapsed. He wanted either Sarfaraz or Urvil Patel to bat at no.3.
“CSK did not look ready at all. As I mentioned earlier, they looked really confused, and when a team lacks clarity, these things tend to happen,” Chawla told ESPNcricinfo.
“Sarfaraz Khan batted at No.3 for Mumbai this season and had a strong run. But if CSK really wanted him in the top order, especially with Dewald Brevis injured, he should have been in the playing XI from the very beginning - the same applies to Urvil Patel,” Chawla added.
With skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad confirming that he will open with Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre was pushed to no.3. Mhatre opened for CSK in the previous season and did reasonably well. In their IPL 2026 opener, he fell for a golden duck to left-arm pacer Nandre Burger.
Sarfaraz walked out to bat at no.5. He hit two fours and a six in his 12-ball 17 before getting out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja. Had it not been for Jamie Overton's 36-ball 43, CSK would've been bundled out under 100. The English all-rounder's knock took them to 127.
CSK’s first home game of IPL 2026
CSK will go up against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next clash on April 3 in a home fixture. Skipper Gaikwad and batting coach Michael Hussey have defended the team after their poor start.
Short fails in Brevis’ absence
Meanwhile, there is uncertainty over Brevis’ availability as he is recovering from a side strain. In Brevis’ absence, Matthew Short batted at no.4 and managed to score just two runs from seven deliveries. Short has not been at his best which also cost him his place in Australia’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026. If Brevis misses a few more games, Short may get a chance as CSK don’t have another overseas batting option to fill in for him. However, they can try other domestic players to bolster the middle order.