IPL 2025: Predicted XI of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the season
Middle-order: Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk)
Rachin Ravindra was released by CSK ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, the New Zealand international was bought back by CSK via RTM for INR 4 crore at the mega auction. The New Zealand cricketer failed to impress the CSK fraternity in his debut season as he scored 222 runs in 10 games, including one half-century.
Despite his below-average performance in the IPL 2024 season, CSK showed some faith by getting him via RTM. CSK snapped up Rahul Tripathi for INR 3.4 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The right-handed batsman, who came into the spotlight in IPL 2016 while playing for Rising Pune Supergiant under MS Dhoni, will reunite with him at Chepauk. Rahul Tripathi has been a part of the IPL since 2017. Overall, he has made 95 appearances in the competition, scoring 2,236 runs, including 12 half-centuries.
CSK retained Shivam Dube for INR 12 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 31-year-old Mumbai-born cricketer scored valuable runs for CSK in the last couple of seasons. He scored 418 runs in the IPL 2023 title-winning campaign, including three half-centuries, at a staggering strike rate of 158.33.
In the subsequent season, he scored 396 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 162.30, including three half-centuries. Overall, he has scored 1,502 runs in 65 games at an average of 30.04 and a strike rate of 146.68, including nine half-centuries. CSK are expected to benefit from Shivam Dube’s services in the middle order.
Former CSK captain MS Dhoni could be playing his last IPL season. Considering that he has gone past his prime, we can’t expect him to deliver consistently. Dhoni scored 161 runs in the last season at an average of 53.67. Facing just 73 deliveries, he entertained fans by smashing 13 sixes and 14 fours, maintaining a strike rate of 220.55.
