Chennai Super Kings, who are looking for a fresh start as IPL 2025 is coming, have all eyes on Ruturaj and the company to achieve something big, which they failed to do last season. Not to forget, this team has 5 IPL trophies and knows how to get on track, having played 10 IPL finals. Their playoff experience shows how big a team they are.
It’s fair to say that in every successful campaign, there have been a few foreign players who played a vital role, from Matthew Hayden, who was always in the playing XI and did well, to Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson, who also made big contributions in the past. In IPL 2023, we saw how Devon Conway played a crucial role.
Now, with IPL 2025 coming, many things are expected from this quality side. However, since there can only be 4 foreign players in the playing XI, who are the foreign picks that will make it into CSK’s XI? Let’s take a look at the most important foreign players in CSK who could start for the team.
Matheesha Pathirana
Having taken 34 wickets in total, Matheesha Pathirana has always been an important bowler for CSK. The Sri Lankan champion has been a big boon for CSK’s bowling lineup, playing a big role in recent seasons. Known for controlling runs and his exceptional death-over bowling, his skills are well-recognized. His fielding ability also makes him one of the key players for CSK. This is why the team retained him for 13 crores. He is set to play once again in the yellow jersey, and it’s certain that he will be part of CSK’s playing XI.
Sam Curran
Not new to the CSK mix, Sam Curran has been a wonderful addition to the team in the past, and now, after serving Punjab Kings, he is coming back to CSK for IPL 2025. The English all-rounder got back to the CSK team at the price of INR 2.4 crore, and CSK will look to utilize his all-round ability effectively. Known for his crucial bowling and making runs when needed the most, he is one of the bowlers who can handle the middle overs. Additionally, his lower-order batting abilities are not hidden from anyone, making him one of the best choices for CSK’s playing XI.
Devon Conway
Although Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra may miss the first few games for CSK due to international commitments, nothing is confirmed yet. If they do miss out, Devon Conway will likely be their first pick. As mentioned, Conway was a wonderful addition to CSK in IPL 2023, where his opening batting provided several big starts, helping the team push their score beyond 200 runs. In 2024, when he was not in the team, it felt like the squad was lacking aggressive batting. With his return, it will boost the team’s campaign. It will be interesting to see how Devon Conway performs, but chances are he will once again take care of the opening batting for CSK.
Noor Ahmad
The Afghan wrist-arm spinner has been bought by CSK for a significant amount, and he is expected to be a part of CSK’s playing XI from the start. As mentioned, he was acquired by CSK for INR 10 crore, which shows how much the team values him. With spinners like Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and now Ahmad, this spin trio could create havoc in the opposition’s batting lineup. Noor Ahmad impressed everyone in the middle overs while playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. And since the Chepauk surface is expected to favour spinners, we can expect CSK to use him more than anyone in IPL 2025.
