So then, we are into the first double-header day of the IPL 2025 and Sunday’s evening will see giants CSK take on MI in “Thala MS Dhoni’s home ground”. In the 37 matches both teams have played against each other in 17 years, Mumbai Indians have emerged victorious on 20 occasions, and the remainder of 17 times, Chennai Super Kings crossed the finish line.
Flaming to fire!
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 23, 2025#WhistlePodu #Yellove
@Ruutu1331 pic.twitter.com/ZGVT20QH0W
With hardly to choose anything between the two sides, it just boils down to which team has the better combination on the day. Squad wise, truth be told, CSK seem to possess better resources, but nothing can really be said about the unpredictable nature of the league. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad enters the tournament as the leader of the pack, for the second straight year, and only better things can be expected from him and his side.
So, it becomes imperative to look at the CSK Predicted playing XI vs MI:
Devon Conway vs Rachin Ravindra? Who Makes the Cut?
IPL the league can be a bit harsh. Some of the quality players tend to get overlooked from playing XIs, just because of the four-overseas player rule. And in the line of fire of this rule could be Kiwi players Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.. On current form and his all-round abilities, Ravindra get a chance, but Conway is a stellar bat.. In 23 matches for the franchise, he has over 900 runs at an average of 48 and a strike-rate of 141.
He missed the 2024 season due to an injury, and yet CSK got him back in 2025, so that just means something. Maybe, in this case, it only makes sense to field them both in the XI.
MS Dhoni With Keeping Duties, Don’t Expect Him to Bat 4-5 Overs
Without any iota of doubt, the face of the IPL and CSK, MS Dhoni will be the regular keeper of the side. But just like last year, there is no way he is batting for longer durations. He will come with just 10 balls left or 20 runs to get, and smash a few bowlers around, and entertain the crowd. ‘Paisa vasool’ for the crowd at Chepauk.
Superfans, What’s today…?
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 23, 2025is seated for Absolute Cinema…!
#CSKvMI #WhistlePodu #Yellove
Fairly Simple Choices for All-rounders
R Ashwin is back, so he is a must-have in the side, and so are Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube. The players form the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings. Jaddu has 186 matches under his belt for the franchise, followed by Ashwin at 121, and then Dube rising slowly at 41. There is presence of Sam Curran, Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar too, but they could only get in as impact-subs.
Two Pacers Only at Chepauk
It would only be sane if Ruturaj opts for two pacers + Shivam Dube, if needed at all, on usually slow Chepauk wicket. Matheesha Pathirana will be their main pacer, who has bagged 34 wickets for them in 20 matches.. Along with him someone like an Anshul Kamboj could do wonders, given the rich wicket-taking form he has been in.
CSK Predicted XI vs MI
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
Devon Conway
Rachin Ravindra
Rahul Tripathi
Shivam Dube
Ravindra Jadeja
MS Dhoni (wk)
R. Ashwin
Matheesha Pathirana
Anshul Kamboj
Noor Ahmad
Sam Curran/ Deepak Hooda (Impact Sub)
