Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have decided that they don’t need Devon Conway as their designated opener. Following his coming of age, CSK has decided that Rachin Ravindra will open alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Gaikwad unsure about Chepauk pitch
After winning the toss against Mumbai Indians’ (MI) interim skipper Suryakumar Yadav in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season opener, CSK decided that he’d bowl first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
“We are bowling first. Playing on this pitch for the first time, so I don’t really know how it will play. So we just want to adapt and chase accordingly. Looks like a good wicket to bat,” Gaikwad said at the toss.
CSK’s young wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
Gaikwad also joked about how their ‘young’ wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni, joined them a little earlier this time around. Having retired from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni, who doesn’t have any other cricket commitments, joined CSK on February 26.
With retirement looming large, Gaikwad decided he’d pull his senior pros leg. “Preparations have been good. We had our young wicket-keeper coming back early to the camp,” he said.
No need for Devon Conway
The experienced New Zealand batter has done well for CSK. But the last 12 months haven’t been kind to him. He didn’t play in the IPL 2024 season, and in this time, Rachin’s star has risen. That’s why Gaikwad didn’t include him. The three other picks were bowlers or all-rounders.
“Noor, Ellis, Rachin, and Sam Curran are the overseas players,” Gaikwad added.
CSK Playing XI vs MI
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra
, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Subs: Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed
