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Suresh Raina is undoubtedly a big synonym to the Indian Premier League (IPL), called as Mr. IPL for being a long-time leading run scorer in the history of the competition (obviously that’s now Virat Kohli). Suresh Raina had the most glorious career with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL.

Suresh Raina was part of the CSK setup from the start to the end of his IPL career. There was a two-year gap when Raina played for the Gujarat Lions as CSK was banned from the IPL. But, since Raina has retired, CSK has been long in search of a replacement for Raina, but the team has yet to found one.

Going into the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Chennai Super Kings will once again try to find a solid middle-order batter who can bat aggressive and would be handy if he can bowl too as Suresh Raina regen. Today, we take a look at some of those potential players.

Sameer Rizvi

I know, I know, Suresh Raina was a left-hand batter and the batter we are talking about here is, Sameer Rizvi, is a right-hand batter. But, one of the attribute that made Suresh Raina special was his ability to play against the spin bowlers. Rizvi was part of the CSK team in IPL 2024 but has been released ahead of the Mega Auction.

When it comes to playing against spinners, most importantly playing big shots against spin bowlers, Sameer Rizvi is a huge prospect with sublime ability to bat against the spinners. The 20-years-old displayed his quality against the spinners in the last two seasons of the UP T20 League. Even though CSK have let him go, don’t be surprised CSK is in for him again.

Nitish Rana

When we talk about Suresh Raina replacement, then Delhi born batter Nitish Rana ticks all the boxes. Nitish who played for KKR for the last 7-8 years, has been vital in their middle-order. Nitish Rana is a left-hand stylish batter and much like Raina, is equally adept at playing aggresive inning against be it the pacers or the spinners.

What makes Nitish Rana standout even further is the fact that he can bowl off-spin, much like Raina. He has been a golden arm for the KKR in the IPL, taking 10 wickets despite being a part-time bowler who bowls occasionally. He has also scored 2636 runs with a strike rate of 135.00. Nitish Rana would be the perfect replacement for Raina for CSK and is available in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

Venkatesh Iyer

Another KKR batter who can be CSK’s next Suresh Raina is all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. Iyer is not a spin bowler and neither a captain’s first choice for bowling, but he can provide the much needed solidity in the middle-order for CSK much like what Raina used to. The left-hand batter Venkatesh Iyer has been an important member of the KKR outfit and played a key role in guiding the team to the IPL trophy in IPL 2024. 

What makes Venkatesh so good is his performance in much needed situations. Other than providing solidity in the middle, Venky is also an aggressive batter who has the ability to score 50 runs in 18 balls. Venkatesh made his IPL debut with KKR in 2021 and has scored f1326 runs with a strike rate of 137.1. He would be a great addition to the CSK set-up but is likely to cost big in the auction.

Nehal Wadhera

24-years-old Punjabi batter Nehal Wadhera can be another top quality addition to CSK’s middle-order. Wadhera really stole the spotlight in his first season in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians in 2023, scoring 241 runs with a strike rate of 145.18. But, he was deprived of game time in IPL 2024 and has been released ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

Although there are chances that Mumbai Indians might go back for their man, CSK could also benefit from the Punjabi batter. Wadhera is a stylish left-hand batter who much like Raina, is a great strokeplayer and can play those big shots. Although he is not an off-spinner like Raina, he can bowl leg-spin when in need. CSK could look into bringing the Punjabi batter to their side ahead of MI.

Priyansh Arya

The next batter we are going to talk about is a raw talent that still needs the IPL platform to showcase his breathtaking batting. We are talking about 23-years-old Delhi batter Priyansh Arya. Arya took everyone by surprise with his mammoth batting in the inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024.

Arya, who is a left-hand stylish batter, scored 608 runs in 10 innings with a strike rate of 198.69 in the Delhi league and tore apart each and every kind of bowlers, showing how levels ahead he is. Throughout the campaign, he scored 2 centuries and came close to two more but was dismissed in his 80s. He has also been shining for Delhi state team and just needs the IPL as platform. 

Interestingly, he can also bowl off-spin, much like, obviously, Suresh Raina. While it is not a guarantee if CSK will go for him, but there is a lot of chance that Arya will be going to an IPL team for big bucks.

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