Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris said that Ambati Rayudu is the ideal candidate to replace Suresh Raina at No.3 for Chennai Super Kings when IPL 2020 commences on September 19.

CSK suffered a huge setback when vice-captain Suresh Raina opted out of IPL after arriving in the UAE with the rest of the squad. Raina cited 'personal reasons' as he flew back to India.

"Personally, I'd put Rayudu in there to take that spot," Scott Styris said on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected'.

"...a player of that class, a player who has been so good for so long.

"I know that the CSK squad is deep, they've got a lot of options at the top, but I also believe that as much as the pressure is now on to find that No.3, it's just probably the most challenging time that I can look for any way for CSK.

"And in particular, the leadership of this group? I think with (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and Stephen Fleming? it's up to them now to bring the group together, now that they have lost Raina and Harbhajan (Singh)."

Under Dhoni's leadership, Chennai Super Kings will be eyeing their fourth IPL title and draw level with Mumbai Indians. IPL 2020 is being held in the three cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.

On CSK, Styris added, "Couple of options they could go with, the two overseas players at the top and bring in the youngster Gaekwad as well or they may decide to have a pitch-hitter."

Following Raina, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also pulled out of IPL 2020 after initially delaying his trip to the UAE. Ajit Agarkar opened up on Harbhajan's absence, saying CSK has a lot of options in the spin department.

"...that kind of experience, the quality that you lose, it is going to be a loss, but I think CSK have a lot more cover in that department at least as far as spin is concerned," Agarkar said.

"They have got Piyush Chawla as well that they have brought in. This year they have got (Imran) Tahir, (Mitchell) Santner, so they have got enough spin.

"...And they will be hoping that the conditions are in their favour what they get in Chennai, which is a little bit of turn, then those spinners come into play."