Chennai Super Kings (CSK) aren’t just losing, but it feels like they can’t even compete with other Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 teams at the moment. Despite knowing that they are being outclassed, CSK can’t make many changes. They have already discarded a few players and don’t have that many high-quality players left on the bench.
CSK forced to chop and change
Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Deepak Hooda have been brought in, and after their failure to perform, they have been dropped. Given their weak middle order, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has batted at number three.
They were playing an overseas all-rounder, but following their failures and a weak batting line-up, CSK has been forced to bring Devon Conway back. Tripathi failed as an opener, and the same happened with Hooda, who played at numbers four and five.
Bowling lineup to remain the same
They can’t tinker with their bowling much. Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, and Khaleel Ahmed have been doing well. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin provide the needed balance, so they can’t be replaced either.
Vijay Shankar’s struggles
The only position left is that of Vijay Shankar. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 69 in CSK’s loss to the Delhi Capitals. But this knock wasn’t great. Chasing 183, Shankar was 29 (29) by the end of the 13th over. In the next 25 balls, he scored 40 runs. But considering what CSK needs, neither the first half of his innings nor the second did them any good.
His pairing up with MS Dhoni didn’t help either. The former CSK captain took his time, and with Shankar not firing either, they were never really in the chase. That’s why the 5-time champions need to experiment now. They have to move on from an anchor in Shankar to an aggressive player like Vansh Bedi.
Bring Vansh Bedi in the middle order
The 22-year-old hasn’t played much for his domestic side but was exceptional in the Delhi Premier League. He scored a 96 (41) while batting at number five in one match. That’s the sort of intent CSK needs at the moment. Bowlers haven’t seen much of him either and might need some time to readjust.
Predicted CSK Playing XI vs PBKS
Devon Conway
, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Vansh Bedi, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Subs: Shreyas Gopal, Jamie Overton, Shaik Rasheed, Vijay Shankar, Ramakrishna Ghosh
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