CSK Playing XI: MS Dhoni returns as captain, makes two major changes

IPL 2025, CSK vs KKR: The home side had to of course replace the injured skipper, and also went in with additional change in bowling unit.

After almost two years, MS Dhoni returned as the skipper for CSK in the match vs KKR, after Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured in the previous outing. It was a treat for the Chennai crowd, but the CSK management had to introduce two changes to the side, that is struggling to find some rhythm. At the toss, Dhoni announced the return of Rahul Tripathi in place of Rutu, and Anshul Kamboj in place of Mukesh Choudhary.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Out, MS Dhoni New Skipper

After the toss, MS Dhoni summed up, as to what ails the CSK team in the IPL 2025. He said, “We were looking to bat first. Quite a few occasions where we tried to chase it down and what we realised is that the wicket slows down a bit, so if you don’t get a good start then the middle order comes under pressure.”

The stand-in captain was visibly disappointed over the loss of Ruturaj, but made it clear that the team needs to move on in the tournament. “(On Ruturaj) He has fractured something on his elbow, so he is ruled out of the tournament. He is a very authentic batter, someone who looks to time the ball well. So yeah, he will be a big miss.”

MSD Makes Two Changes

In five matches, they have won only one, and now the road to qualification to playoffs only gets tougher. “It is important now, every game is important. We have lost too many matches and now it is important to do the basics right – have dot balls, take our catches. A couple of games we lost by big margins, but otherwise it was about the small things – about one over going for 20 runs.

“Our batters are more authentic as batters, they won’t slog everything. They just need to back their instincts. It is important to start well, get boundaries early on and try to get a couple of early wickets as well. Couple of changes for us – Tripathi comes in for Ruturaj, and Anshul Kambhoj in for Mukesh.”

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed