Chennai Super Kings are famous for providing a platform to out-of-form players who turn things around with backing from management and MS Dhoni. Ajinkya Rahane is the latest example. However, Rahul Tripathi, after two innings so far does not look like he could turn things around. After scoring 2 against Mumbai Indians, Tripathi scored another single-digit score in the CSK vs RCB clash with 5. With two soft dismissals, a player who is lacking confidence should be dropped for local boy Andre Siddarth in IPL 2025. Another Tamil Nadu star, Vijay Shankar, also remains an option.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who captains Tripathi in Maharashtra, is a big fan of his strokeplay. Despite his poor run of form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, CSK paid Rs 3.4 Cr for his services. However, the magic wand of CSK hasn’t worked on Tripathi so far.
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Rahul Tripathi in a rut
After his best years with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 34-year-old is at a crossroads. He has been a walking wicket for some time now. In the CSK vs MI match, Deepak Chahar’s bouncer left him clueless as he knocked it to the keeper for 2. He was beaten by the pace and bounce. His short-ball weakness was once again out in the open in the CSK vs RCB clash. Josh Halzewood’s short ball caught him off-guard as he tried to play a pull, but it was too late to recover and gave away an easy catch to Phil Salt at midwicket.
Tripathi was beaten by the bounce again and again in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In fact, he had a poor run in domestic after a less-than-ideal IPL 2024, where he scored 165 runs in 6 innings.
Maharashtra Premier League was the only tournament where he showed glimpses of his old form. Rahul Tripathi smashed 383 runs in 10 innings at a 209.29 strike rate. However, he is expected to succeed in MPL, considering the quality of the tournament is not of a high standard.
Rahul Tripathi since IPL 2024
| Series | Inns | Runs | Avg | SR | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 | 6 | 165 | 27.5 | 143.48 | 1/0 |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | 6 | 123 | 20.5 | 144.7 | 0/0 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 8 | 145 | 20.71 | 85.8 | 1/0 |
| MPL 2024 | 10 | 383 | 42.56 | 209.29 | 4/0 |
| IPL 2025 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 116.67 | 0/0 |
CSK should pick Andre Siddarth
18 years ago, Chennai Super Kings played a punt with Ravichandran Ashwin. He went on to become one of the greatest spinners India ever had. By picking 18-year-old Andre Siddarth at the auction, CSK have shown their interest in grooming him. He is in good hands with MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, and Ashwin guiding him.
But without giving him, CSK won’t be able to get the best out of him. Even if he fails, CSK have Vijay Shankar who can fill in No 4 slot with Ruturaj Gaikwad opening with Rachin Ravindra.
Siddarth has already established himself in the domestic circuit. With 612 runs at an average of 68.00 in Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu, he has shown, he has the game. Now, it’s up to CSK to utilise that because if it doesn’t work out, there is a fallback option of an experienced Vijay Shankar. For now, both Vijay Shankar and Andre Sidhharth are warming the bench.
