Ashwin, Noor To Partner Jadeja At Chepauk: Rating CSK’s Bowling Lineup For IPL 2025

Pathirana, Jadeja, Ashwin, Noor & Curran (Source: @IPL/X.com, @TexasSuperKings/X.com)

It will be tough for the opposition teams when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hold the ball at their fortress in Chepauk. The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, will be aiming to get their hands on the silverware once again.

The CSK side will open their account against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 at their home in M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where spin will once again hold prime importance. 

Despite having to let go of their prime pacer Deepak Chahar, the CSK side have added the likes of Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj while bringing back their ace Sam Curran to the lineup. However, the X-factor for them this season has to be the inclusion of left-arm chinaman Noor Ahmad.

Therefore, with all that in mind, let's rate the bowling lineup of the Chennai Super Kings as to who will hold the key for them in the upcoming season.

Rating Chennai Super Kings' Pace Attack

Starting with the pace attack, the Chennai Super Kings have the Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana in their lineup, who can deliver searing yorkers at exorbitant pace, especially in the death, making it difficult for batters to score runs.

While another player who could be crucial in the death is Nathan Ellis. Although, him getting all fourteen games is difficult, there are high chances that whatever matches he gets to feature in will make a difference.

Additionally, they have also acquired the services of left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, who is a powerplay specialist with swing his forte, while the English allrounder Sam Curran can be vital in both powerplay and death with his great accuracy.

Other than that, they also have the likes of Anshul Kamboj and Mukesh Choudhary who have done well in domestic cricket. Meanwhile, England's Jamie Overton was also roped in their lineup. And not to forget the all-round pace skills of Shivam Dube and Vijay Shankar, while Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Gurjapneet Singh are also possible to get a few games under their belt this season.

Chennai Super Kings' Seamers Stats In IPL

Pace Attack Ratings - 8.5/10

The CSK bowling attack has been rated 8.5, considering the fact that they have an excellent pace bowling battery with plenty of options and a plethora of all-rounders in their lineup. While Pathirana can be lethal with the ball, Khaleel can take care of the powerplay alongside either Mukesh Choudhary or Sam Curran.

Although Anshul is largely inexperienced in the IPL, his skills in T20 cricket are not questionable under any circumstances, as he can make quick impressions with the ball. Nathan Ellis can prove to be a versatile option with his slower deliveries causing batters great difficulty to go against him, especially in the death.

The major concern for CSK is that bowlers can be pretty expensive for them. Looking at the economy rates, most of them except Pathirana have an economy rate of above 8.5, which means it is hard for them to control runs when batters are in flow. Therefore, this is the primary cause why they have been rated 8.5.

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Rating Chennai Super Kings' Spin Attack

While Ravindra Jadeja has been CSK's spin bowling maestro from the past decade, he will be joined back by his spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin, who will don the yellow jersey after 10 long years.

Additionally, the left-arm leg-spin of Noor Ahmad will only be a blessing for the Chennai-based lineup, as the Afghan spinner can cause some serious problems, something we have seen so far in the IPL.

In the backup, they will have Shreyas Gopal, who has done a decent job in the IPL so far, while the all-around capabilities of Rachin Ravindra and Deepak Hooda with the ball add value to their already strong spin bowling setup. 

Chennai Super Kings' Spinners Stats In IPL

Spin Attack Ratings - 9.5/10

Undoubtedly, the trio of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor will be nothing but essentially, a serious threat to the opposition. At their home games in Chepauk, these three will be the chief destroyers with twelve overs of real destruction in the south of India.

There is no doubt that Jadeja and Ashwin will once again be the dominant force with the ball, while Ahmad is the X-factor in the CSK lineup who can demolish the batting lineups at the famous dust bowls of Chennai.

Therefore, with everything in mind, beating this bowling lineup will be hard for any side in the tournament, and that is why they have been honoured with the rating of 9.5 out of 10.

Conclusion

Overall Bowling Ratings - 9/10

CSK's pace bowling lineup will be complemented extremely well by their spin bowlers in this Indian Premier League, as they have done so far. And to know that they will be playing half of their games at Chepauk, the CSK's think tank have picked their bowlers accordingly.

While Pathirana can be of paramount importance in the death, Nathan Ellis' slow deliveries are a must in Chennai's slower tracks. Whereas the trio of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor will hold the key for them on many occasions, more often than not.

As we all know, this side is more than just horses for courses, considering they can be bowling with the same lineup in away matches as well and prove to be equally dangerous even on flat surfaces. Therefore, with all the factors in mind, the CSK's entire bowling lineup has been rated overall nine out of ten.

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