Chennai Super Kings desperately need to get back to winning ways after losing five consecutive games. MS Dhoni and co. need to take down Pant’s LSG at any cost to keep any hopes of making their way out from the bottom half of the points table alive. After suffering a horrific collapse at the hands of KKR in the previous game, all eyes will be on CSK’s top and middle-order.
CSK predicted XI vs LSG
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Devon Conway | Batter |
| 2. | Rachin Ravindra | Batter |
| 3. | Rahul Tripathi | Batter |
| 4. | Shivam Dube | Batter |
| 5. | Vansh Bedi | Batter |
| 6. | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 7. | MS Dhoni (C & WK) | Batter |
| 8. | Ravichandran Ashwin | Bowler |
| 9. | Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
| 10. | Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler |
| 11. | Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
Conway, Rachin, Tripathi need to fire
The opening combo of Rachin and Conway desperately need to get going for CSK. After showing some promising signs in the game against PBKS, the duo failed to fire against KKR, managing just 4 and 12 runs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad being ruled out of IPL 2025 comes as a huge blow to CSK. This is primarily because the team lacks a consistent batter at the number three position. Tripathi hasn’t been great this year and is turning out to be more of a liability than an asset.
While Ayush Mhatre’s arrival can allow CSK to push Rachin back to number three, that can only happen in the next game. Therefore, Tripathi must make amends and start firing against LSG.
Vansh Bedi to get a chance?
CSK’s middle-order lacks no talent or firepower. It is just that the intent shown, especially in the middle-overs, has been quite poor. Perhaps CSK could bench Vijay Shankar for the game against LSG and give a chance to the young Vansh Bedi.
Bedi had a stellar run in Delhi Premier League 2024. In 8 matches for Dilli 6, he amassed 221 runs at a strike-rate of 185.71, averaging 44.20. This young firepower might give CSK the exact boost needed in the middle-order.
Meanwhile, in what will be a relief for CSK, coach Fleming informed that Dube has no injury concerns. It will be important for him along with Dhoni and Jadeja, to go all guns blazing against a fidgety LSG bowling attack.
Pathirana returns
Pathirana will return to the line-up after missing the previous game. He will play a crucial role in tackling the Pooran menace, having dismissed him 4 times in 25 deliveries and conceding just as many runs. Ashwin will also be effective against Pooran, given that he has dismissed him 3 times in 43 deliveries and has conceded just 40 runs against him.
CSK squad for IPL 2025
Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Hooda, Matheesha Pathirana, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shaik Rasheed, Jamie Overton, Shreyas Gopal, Sam Curran, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C, Vansh Bedi
