The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are once again ready to create a buzz in the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting on March 22. CSK is one of the most successful teams in IPL history. This season could possibly be the last for Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a player, and under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team will aim to give him a victorious farewell.
CSK’s strategy has always been built on consistency rather than drastic changes, which has been the key to their success. They have won five IPL titles, including two in the last four seasons. Instead of bringing in completely new players, CSK has relied on experienced players making a comeback. R Ashwin, Sam Curran, and Vijay Shankar have returned to the squad. Additionally, Devon Conway, who missed last season due to injury, has been re-signed.
As captain, Gaikwad’s performance has been average. Last season, CSK finished fifth in the points table with seven losses and missed the playoffs after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their final league match. The loss affected their net run rate, leading to their elimination.
CSK IPL 2025 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 23 | Mumbai | Chennai |
| March 28 | Bengaluru | Chennai |
| March 30 | Rajasthan | Guwahati |
| April 5 | Delhi | Chennai |
| April 8 | Punjab | Mullanpur |
| April 11 | Kolkata | Chennai |
| April 14 | Lucknow | Lucknow |
| April 20 | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| April 25 | Hyderabad | Chennai |
| April 30 | Punjab | Chennai |
| May 3 | Bengaluru | Bengaluru |
| May 7 | Kolkata | Kolkata |
| May 12 | Rajasthan | Chennai |
| May 18 | Gujarat | Ahmedabad |
Note: Matches on April 5 and May 18 will start at 3:30 PM, while all other matches will begin at 7:30 PM.
CSK’s Strength: A Strong Batting Lineup
CSK’s biggest strength is its powerful batting unit. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has showcased his batting prowess in the IPL. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra will also play crucial roles in the top order. Rahul Tripathi, known for his explosive batting at Sunrisers Hyderabad, will play for CSK for the first time. The middle order features players like Deepak Hooda and Shivam Dube, who can accelerate the scoring in the death overs.
CSK’s Weakness: Lack of Quality Fast Bowlers
While CSK’s spin attack is one of the strongest in the tournament, with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin forming a formidable pair, the pace attack looks weaker. Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad has also joined the squad, making the spin department even stronger. However, in the fast-bowling section, CSK lacks a standout bowler who can lead the attack. The squad includes names like Khaleel Ahmed, Sam Curran, Vijay Shankar, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Anshul Kamboj, Matheesa Pathirana, and Nathan Ellis, but none are proven match-winners in the IPL yet.
Could This Be Dhoni’s Last IPL Season?
MS Dhoni was outstanding in IPL 2024, scoring runs at a strike rate of 220.54—the highest of his IPL career. He scored 161 runs off 73 balls, including 14 fours and 13 sixes. At 43, all eyes will be on whether Dhoni can have a similar impact in the upcoming season.
Chennai Super Kings Squad for IPL 2025
- Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
- Batsmen & All-rounders: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Shiekh Rashid, Gurjanpreet Singh, Ramkrishna Ghosh
- Bowlers: Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matheesa Pathirana, Nathan Ellis, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Jaimie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddharth
CSK will be looking to bounce back from last season’s disappointment and fight for the title once again in IPL 2025.