Former cricketers Ambati Rayudu and Aaron Finch have urged Chennai Super Kings to include West Indian player Akeal Hosein in the IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, April 5 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Rayudu suggested that CSK should consider a combination of Hosein, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton and Noor Ahmad to stage a comeback in the tournament. In their previous match, which they lost to Punjab Kings by five wickets, CSK fielded only two overseas players: Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad.
Brevis missed the first two games with a side strain but he returned to training. Rayudu stressed that CSK should not overlook Hosein and highlighted the Caribbean spinner’s ability to trouble key batsmen like Virat Kohli and Phil Salt.
“If Dewald Brevis comes in, he could add a lot of value. Akeal Hosein should definitely play alongside Jamie Overton and Noor Ahmad. I think these four would make a very strong combination. Akeal can be effective against Virat Kohli and Phil Salt in the early innings, while Overton and Noor can control things through the middle overs,” alongside someone who said Rauboj Choulsh or Anhy ESPNcricinfo.
“Mukesh is a very good left-arm batsman and Khaleel Ahmed is also there. So CSK definitely have the resources, they just need to combine properly. If they do that, they still have a big chance,” added Rayudu.
‘FLEXIBLE PANTS’
Meanwhile, Finch said Hosein is a no-brainer for CSK due to his flexibility and ability to play both in the power bowl and in the middle overs, effectively spinning the ball against the right-handers.
“Akeal Hosein comes straight for me because he’s such a flexible bowler. Yes, he can jump in the power bowler and that can come at the expense of one of the left-arm quicks, but he can operate effectively through the middle overs.”
“With two right-handers up top, his ability to curl the ball back into them or really slow it down makes him a no-deal pick,” Finch said.
The Super Kings have had a tough start to this season, losing both their matches. Last year they finished at the bottom of the table and this season they are sitting there again with a -2.562 net run.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
05 Apr 2026 13:23 IST
