IPL 2023: CSK Pacer Mukesh Choudhary Ruled Out, Akash Singh Named as His Replacement

Mukesh Choudhary was the spearhead of CSK’s bowling lineup in IPL 2022 in the absence of their key seamer Deepak Chahar. However, he has been ruled out of the IPL 2023 as the young left-arm pacer is recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The Maharashtra-based pacer scalped 16 wickets in 13 games that he played in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League. He got the best figures of 4/46 while his economy rate of 9.32 was slightly on the higher side.

Chennai Super Kings had already lost a key pacer in Kyle Jamieson as he is set to undergo surgery. With Mukesh Choudhary getting ruled out, CSK are now in deeper trouble as they don’t have many experienced pacers in their squad. Mukesh Choudhary last played a professional game on December 2, 2022, as is currently recovering from a stress fracture. He featured in the playing XI of Maharashtra that took on Saurashtra for the final of the Indian domestic 50-over tournament, Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Rajasthan pacer Akash Singh joins CSK squad for IPL 2023

The Chennai Super Kings franchise have named Rajasthan pacer Akash Singh as the replacement for injured Mukesh Choudhary. He has earlier played for India’s Under-19 World Cup team in 2020.

The left-arm pacer had made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals against CSK in the year 2021 where he had remained wicketless. While Akash Singh didn’t get any more opportunities for the Rajasthan Royals franchise, he has got some experience playing for his state in all three formats. Akash Singh has till now played 9 T20s, 9 List A matches, and 5 First-Class games and has scalped 31 wickets for his state side Rajasthan. He has got 7 out of his 31 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

While Akash Singh looks like a like-to-like replacement for Mukesh Choudhary, Akash is more of a hit-the-deck pacer while Choudhary got most of his success for CSK with swinging deliveries. With Deepak Chahar back in the CSK squad for IPL 2023, the yellow brigade might not miss Mukesh Choudhary with the new ball.