NewsPhotos MS Dhoni To Play As Finisher, Ruturaj Gaikwad As Opener; CSK's Predicted Playing XI For IPL 2025

MS Dhoni To Play As Finisher, Ruturaj Gaikwad As Opener; CSK's Predicted Playing XI For IPL 2025

MS Dhoni will once again be part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who will be eyeing their sixth title in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The five-times couldn't qualify for the playoff in IPL 2024 after the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their last group game.

Having assembled a formidable squad after the mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the five-times champions CSK will look to put their best foot forward in IPL 2025.

Here's is CSK's predicted XI and squad composition for the IPL 2025:

Zee Media Bureau|

Updated:Jan 07, 2025, 08:26 PM IST

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

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Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will lead Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 season, will play as an opener for the team. In the last few seasons, Gaikwad has been the best batter for CSK and he will look to repeat his heroics with the bat.

2. Devon Conway

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New Zealand batter Devon Conway, will open the innings for CSK in the IPL 2025 season, alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo of Gaikwad and Conway have been successful opening pairs for CSK in the past.

3. Rahul Tripathi

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Rahul Tripathi is likely to bat at No. 3 spot for CSK in the IPL 2025 season. The 33-year-old Tripathi has played for many teams in the IPL in the past.

4. Shivam Dube

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Shivam Dube has been one of the most successful batters for CSK in the last few IPL seasons. Dube, who is known for his six-hitting ability, is likely to bat at No. 4 spot for CSK in the IPL 2025 season. It will be interesting to see whether he bowls or not.

5. Deepak Hooda

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Deepak Hooda, a flexible batter, is likely to bat at No. 5 spot for CSK in the IPL 2025 season. The 29-year-old Hooda has played for multiple franchises in the past IPL season. He can bowl off-spin as well.

6. Sam Curran

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It will be a home-coming for Sam Curran in the IPL 2025 season, having played for the five-times champions in the past. England all-rounder Curran is likely to bat at No. 6 spot for CSK in the IPL 2025 season and bowl crucial overs as well.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

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Ravindra Jadeja is likely to bat at No. 7 spot for CSK in the IPL 2025 season. Jadeja is likely to do the finisher's job for CSK in the upcoming season along with his left-arm spin role with the ball.

8. MS Dhoni

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MS Dhoni has batted very lower down the order in the last few seasons. During IPL 2024, Dhoni was struggling with his knees and used to face very less ball but he is fully fit for the upcoming season. Along with his wicket-keeping duties, Dhoni is likely to bat at No7 or No. 8 spot.

9. Ravichandran Ashwin

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It will be a home-coming for Ravichandran Ashwin in the IPL 2025 season, having played for the five-times champions in the past. Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, will play a key role for CSK in the upcoming season with both bat and ball.

10. Noor Ahmad

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Noor Ahmad, who was CSK's biggest buy at Rs. 10 crore during the mega auction, will play a major role for the Chennai-based franchise with his left-arm unorthodox spin in IPL 2025. Chennai's pitch will also assist his bowling.

11. Matheesha Pathirana

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Matheesha Pathirana has played a key role in CSK's success in the last few IPL seasons. Once again, CSK's fate in the bowling department will be very much dependent on Pathirana in IPL 2025 season.

12. Impact Player

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Five-times champions Chennai Super Kings are likely to use Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Anshul Kamboj as their Impact Player in the upcoming IPL 2025 season.