Battle of Exes: Three former RR players who are in CSK squad for IPL 2023

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a platform for many talented cricketers to showcase their skills on the global stage. Over the years, there have been several marquee players associated with a single franchise, while many others have represented numerous franchises. Among these players are three former Rajasthan Royals (RR) players currently representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane is one of India's finest Test batters and has been a revelation in the IPL this season, scoring 209 runs at an average of 52.25 with a strike rate of 199.25. Batting at No. 3 for CSK, Rahane's transformation into an attacking style of batting has been a breath of fresh air. Rahane started his IPL career with the Mumbai Indians before moving to the Rajasthan Royals between 2011 and 2015 and again from 2018 to 2019.

The elegant right-hander enjoyed some of his best years in the IPL playing for the Royals, scoring over 350 runs in five of his seven seasons with the franchise. Rahane also captained RR in 2018 and 2019, leading them to the playoffs in 2018. He boasts impressive overall numbers in the IPL, averaging 31.49 at a strike rate of 123. His experience and composure at the top of the order will be crucial for CSK as they look to defend their IPL title.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, the CSK all-rounder, started his IPL career with the Rajasthan Royals in 2008 under the captaincy of Shane Warne. Nicknamed Rockstar by Shane Warne, Jadeja played a vital role in helping the Royals win the inaugural IPL in 2008. The left-hander did even better in 2009, scoring 295 runs and picking up six wickets. After a couple of indifferent seasons in 2010 and 2011, where the all-rounder missed out due to contractual issues and played for the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers (2011), Jadeja joined CSK in 2012.

The 34-year-old became one of their lynchpins and helped them win  titles in 2018 and 2021. Jadeja has scored 2,559 runs at an average of 26.11 while picking up 142 wickets in his IPL career. He is known for his all-round abilities and is a genuine match-winner for CSK.

Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube, the hard-hitting middle-order batter, has become a lethal batsman since joining CSK a year ago. Dube is averaging 30.67 at a strike rate of 157.26 this season, with similar numbers last year as well. Before joining Chennai, Dube had a couple of forgettable seasons with RCB in 2019 and 2020, where he averaged less than 20 in 15 matches at a mediocre strike rate of 122. The tall left-hander then played for RR in 2021 and scored 230 runs at an average of 28.75 and a strike rate of 119.17.

With his reputation at stake due to a few indifferent knocks at inopportune times, Dube has found the perfect franchise in CSK, where he has been entrusted with batting at the critical No. 4 position. Dube has already made a couple of impressive half-centuries this season and has used his long levers to good effect, particularly against the spinners in the middle overs. His ability to hit the big shots and score quickly will be vital for CSK in the latter half of the tournament