Another former player for the team, Shane Watson, discussed CSK’s peculiar IPL 2025 start. The former CSK batter stated at the IPL 2025 Rivalry Week event that the five-time champions typically used a specific predetermined lineup that was set for the remainder of the season. The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster revealed that under MS Dhoni, the players were given their roles prior to the commencement of the competition.
The Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) IPL 2025 campaign hasn’t gotten off to a great start. The squad has only won one of its four games, against the Mumbai Indians (MI), and will subsequently suffer back-to-back losses against the RCB, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals.
“Even before the competition started, Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni were extremely clear about each player’s position during my tenure with the team, and those responsibilities seldom ever changed. However, given the type of auction they held this time, it appeared that they were still working to fill in a few gaps. For CSK, the season has gotten off to an unexpected start. CSK often meticulously plans and locks in their combinations—whether it’s the bowling or batting order—after every major auction. Therefore, it’s very unusual to see that many changes in the first four games,” Watson stated via JioStar.
“They will discover their rhythm,” hopeful Shane Watson tells CSK.
The 2018 IPL champion thought the five-time champions’ lineup against DC was superior to that versus MI, RCB, and RR. He concurred that Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were a strong opening duo, with Gaikwad following at three.
“The team’s lineup was far more evenly distributed in the previous game, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra starting the innings. In my opinion, that combination is stronger, with Ruturaj Gaikwad ranking third. The World Cup-winning cricketer continued, “In the past, when Tripathi was opening, it left a few too many holes in the lineup overall.”
“With the changes made in the last game and a few games played together under various circumstances, I’m sure they’ll settle into a groove. Whether they are chasing or batting first, a solid top three or four can set the tone, which makes it much simpler for the middle and lower order to make the most of a strong start,” Watson said.
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