Ruturaj Gaikwad To Open With Conway; Where Will Dhoni Bat? CSK's Strongest XI For IPL 2025

MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK [Source: @kurkureter/x.com]MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad for CSK [Source: @kurkureter/x.com]

Chennai Super Kings have done well in the IPL 2025 mega auction. After the two days in the mega event, the five-time champions did their best to fill all their spots and made great use of their money. 

Before going ahead and analysing what could be the strongest playing unit of the Chennai Super Kings, let us have a look at the squad of the team for the upcoming season - 

CSK Squad For IPL 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni, Devon Conway ✈️, Rahul Tripathi, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra ✈️, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Matheesha Pathirana ✈️, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad ✈️, Sam Curran ✈️, Shaik Rasheed, Anshul Kamboj, Deepak Hooda, Gurjapneet Singh.

Trusted Opening Pair

Devon Conway - Ruturaj Gaikwad

The opening partnership of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad worked wonders for the team in IPL 2023. One of the prime reasons behind the title run of the CSK in that season was the consistent and solid starts these two players gave. 

During the season, Conway and Gaikwad scored 849 runs  and broke the record of Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj from IPL 2021 (756). Looking at the consistency of the two openers together, CSK will be looking to use them once more.

Perfect Balance Of Dynamism And Stability In The Middle Order

Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Rachin Ravindra, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja

Rahul Tripathi has played under MS Dhoni in the Rising Pune Supergiants. The Indian batter has the ability to take the attack to the bowlers from the very beginning of his innings. Tripathi's IPL strike rate of 139.31 is a testament to his dynamic batting style.

Alongside Tripathi, Deepak Hooda can provide stability to CSK in the middle order. Hood has the ability to stabilise the team's progress under pressure, he can also take the attack to the bowlers when needed and once set in the crease. There will be Shivam Dube, who will be used as a spin hitter in the middle overs. Ravindra and Dube can add the dynamism to increase the scoring rate of the team.

Ravindra Jadeja has been a hero for the Chennai Super Kings for long with his ability to perform under pressure. The Indian all-rounder has scored at a strike rate of 129.72 and has also picked up 160 wickets for the team. 

All Purpose Bowling Attack

Chennai have kept in mind their home turf while selecting their bowlers. While they have formed a strong trio of spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmed. These three bowlers together might turn out to be a winning combination for the team in Chennai. 

Along with these three spinners they have Khaleel Ahmed and Sam Curran. These two bowlers can use their cutters and variations to decieve the batters. 

Matheesha Pathirana has emerged as a match winner in the last couple of seasons for CSK. The young Sri Lankan bowler has been brilliant with his death over exploits. As far as death over is concerned, CSK seemed to have an headache less.

MS Dhoni, The Mastermind

MS Dhoni will be a crucial cog once more in the CSK set up as far as tactical battles are concerned. Yes, he is well past his prime and will only bat for at most a couple of overs. But the strategic acumen and the man managing abilities of MSD is priceless for the team. He will be seen batting in the lower order and keeping the wickets for the team. 

CSK's Strongest XI For IPL 2025

Devon Conway✈️
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
Rahul Tripathi
Deepak Hooda
Ravindra Jadeja
MS Dhoni (wk)
Sam Curran ✈️
Ravichandran Ashwin
Noor Ahmad ✈️
Matheesha Pathirana ✈️
Impact Player - Khaleel Ahmed/Shivam Dube