![Ruturaj Gaikwad](https://sportsamaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SDVFFD-780x470-optimized.jpg)
The CSK opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had won the orange cap during the last IPL, is struggling with a bit of a wrist injury at the moment and although he might join the CSK camp ahead of IPL 2022, he might miss the first few games of the tournament.
CSK, in that scenario, might have try a different opening combination. Devon Conway is one of the players who is likely to open for CSK right from the start of the tournament. Apart from Conway, CSK has a few other options for the second opener’s slot
Here are the three openers CSK can try in the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad –
C Hari Nishanth
Nishanth was a part of the CSK squad in the last IPL season too, but didn’t get an opportunity as CSK had a settled opening pair in Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj. Nishanth, during the last Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, impressed one and all with the way he batted at the top of the order for Tamil Nadu. The left hander scored 200 runs in 8 games at a strike rate of 135 with 12 sixes. He might get his first go at CSK in the absence of Ruturaj.
Shubranshu Senapati
Shubhranshu Senapati is a batsman who is very much in the mould of Ruturaj and although he was not quite at the top of the run scoring chart during the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy 2021, he played a couple of very impressive knocks for his state side Odisha.
Because of his ability to hit boundaries consistently with conventional cricketing shots, Shubhranshu can be a good opening partner for Devon Conway.
Robin Uthappa
It might also be possible that CSK doesn’t try any of the new opening batsmen and they rather decide to open the batting with the veteran top order batsman Robin Uthappa, who had batted at no. 3 for CSK in the playoff round of the last IPL. CSK can do that because they have got a middle order batsman in Shivam Dube, whom they can play at no. 4, if they push Uthappa to open and slot Moeen Ali at no. 3.