Dhoni takes the helm once more as CSK’s struggling campaign looks to be revived.

In 2025, Dhoni, who is now 43, is once again leading the team. However, unlike in 2022, Gaikwad’s return is forced because he missed the season because of a shattered elbow.

The Chennai Super Kings were in a similar predicament three years prior. They were defeated in their fifth game after losing their first four as the reigning champs. Like Ruturaj Gaikwad had been in the last few days, a new CSK captain was also under criticism at that time. MS Dhoni went back to the hot seat to steady the ship.

Dhoni’s 2022 return didn’t exactly lead to a change in fortunes.

On the basis of net run rate, CSK finished tenth, ahead of their bitter rivals, the Mumbai Indians. They’ll be hoping that history doesn’t happen again. The challenge is more difficult: in a season where the top order has already struggled, CSK has lost four of their first five games and now lacks their most crucial batter.

Although their most recent loss saw them break the 200-mark for the first time this season, concerns remain, particularly regarding their ability to chase. In addition to their poor batting performance, CSK has been the team that has dropped the most catches this season. They have lost games as a direct result of some of those misses.

They have also had a lacklustre spin attack, but that might alter now that Dhoni is back in charge. They go back to the comforts of home for the time being, but is it truly so comfortable? Both RCB and DC have outperformed them in Chennai, and a sluggish surface is predicted for their upcoming matchup with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy will be a pain in the ass if it’s their turn. With his variants, Harshit Rana might also be useful. The fact that KKR hasn’t exactly made IPL 2025 spectacular is the one thing CSK may be encouraged by. The reigning champions are still looking for that spark to turn their campaign around after losing three of their last five games. Nevertheless, their batting appears to be in much better form than CSK’s after consecutive 200+ scores.

When: 7:30 PM IST on April 11, 2025

Where: Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium

Expect clear skies and another surface that will likely become more challenging to bat on as the game progresses. When compared to the teams that batted first, the chasing team, CSK, found it difficult to win both of the previous games.

Matchup: CSK 19-10 KKR. In addition, CSK has defeated KKR in five of the previous seven meetings; KKR has won two of their three IPL finals here, by the way.

Team updates

Chennai Super Kings

It would be fascinating to see who CSK chooses to replace Gaikwad in the starting lineup given his injuries and unavailability during the competition. Rahul Tripathi may be the current frontrunner to succeed his statemate, despite the fact that they have choices in the team. They may also consider replacing the third pacer with young wicketkeeper Vansh Bedi to support the middle order.

Strategies & Matches:

Even though CSK hasn’t employed Matheesha Pathirana with the new ball, there is a chance that Sunil Narine will. The hosts will try to get rid of the West Indian all-rounder early before he confronts their spin trio because he enjoys facing spin. Despite his setbacks this season, R Ashwin’s duel with the KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane, is excellent.

MS Dhoni (c&wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary/Anshul Kamboj, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, and Ravindra Jadeja are the probable XII.

Knight Riders of Kolkata

Quinton de Kock hasn’t played well in the competition thus far, except from an undefeated 97 against the Rajasthan Royals. Rahmanullah Gurbaz did spend a lot of time in the nets on the eve of the match, and the Afghanistan wicketkeeper may get his chance given his experience against Noor Ahmad, CSK’s main danger. Moeen Ali might be their third spinner instead of Spencer Johnson, so don’t rule it out.

Strategies & Matches:

Dhoni appears to be CSK’s most dependable power hitter down the order, despite his advanced age of 43. In order to bowl to Dhoni at the end, KKR will be tempted to save an over each from their spin twins. Chakaravarthy has dismissed the veteran three times in four innings, and his strike-rate against Narine is a dismal 52.7. Jadeja’s strike rate of less than 100 and dismal record against Narine further support KKR’s argument to spare a few overs for CSK’s finishers.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali/Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), and most likely XII

Were you aware of:

This is just the third time in an IPL season that CSK has dropped four or more straight games. The other two times were in 2022 (when they placed ninth) and 2010 (when they took home the title).

In CSK victories, Ravindra Jadeja’s average with the ball is 21.98; meanwhile, in losses, it soars to 49.34.

This season, KKR has the second-highest catching efficiency at 87.5. CSK’s, on the other hand, is the second lowest at 67.6.

What they stated:

“This IPL has been dominated by batting, therefore you need to exercise extreme caution. Additionally, using Rachin is part-time spin; I’m not being disrespectful. We have six alternatives, and because we have had excellent options at the correct moment, we have been able to hold scores up from the previous game down to 180 when they are between 200 and 220. Indeed, we may have lost a slot, but Jaddu’s versatility has clearly allowed us to maintain a strong batting order. However, we believe bowling is under pressure. Therefore, the key for us thus far has been having the six alternatives to try and stop some of these long scores.” Stephen Fleming, head coach of CSK, on CSK sacrificing an additional batter.

He has participated in more than 600 professional T20 matches. As I have stated numerous times, experience is the most valuable factor because T20 cricket is an experience-based sport. You have witnessed more instances the more experience you have. He therefore has a response for any circumstance since he has experienced them firsthand. He has also been at CSK for a long period. He knows what strategies to employ and how to bat and bowl on this pitch.” Venkatesh Iyer on the value of mentor Dwayne Bravo’s Chennai experience