Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will look to create history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The Men in Yellow will look to become the first franchise to win the IPL trophy for a sixth time. Tied with Mumbai Indians (MI), CSK would like to break the record in what looks like the final IPL season for MS Dhoni.
Of course, doing so is easier said than done. CSK were going for the record last season as well but couldn’t qualify for the playoffs. But before thinking about any of this, CSK will have to find their best/ideal XI for IPL 2025. Having reshuffled their squad, they need to find the right balance.
Who will be CSK’s number four in IPL 2025?
Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu has given his two bits on what will be the right starting eleven. For him, Rachin Ravindra won’t open with Ruturaj Gaikwad, unlike last year. For him, Devon Conway will partner with the CSK captain.
Rayudu isn’t certain on who to pick from Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, and Vijay Shankar at number four but has Shivam Dube at five. Like the last couple of years, he has slotted Ravindra Jadeja ahead of MS Dhoni.
The 6-time IPL champions surprisingly don’t have Khaleel Ahmed or Noor Ahmad. Instead, he has opted for Anshul Kamboj and Sam Curran.
Rayudu’s ideal CSK Playing XI for IPL 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda/Rahul Tripathi/Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Sam Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Anshul Kamboj
Bench: Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddharth, Jamie Overton
