Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – IPL 2025 Captain of CSK

🏏 Overview

The Chennai Super Kings enter the 2025 IPL season as one of the most consistent and celebrated franchises in the tournament’s history. After winning five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), CSK now finds itself at a pivotal moment: transitioning from the MS Dhoni era to a fresh, dynamic core led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 2025 squad is a strategic mix of youth, experience, international powerhouses, and domestic stalwarts. Let’s dive into the players, their roles, strengths, and the team’s vision this season.

🧢 Leadership and Management

🔹 Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain of CSK in 2025)

Role: Opening Batsman, Captain
Style: Calm, technical, and consistent
Strengths: Solid technique, ability to anchor innings, fearless against pace and spin

Ruturaj takes over the reins from MS Dhoni — a responsibility both inspiring and daunting. Known for his elegant stroke play and composure, he’s expected to lead by example at the top of the order and bring tactical clarity to the team.

👥 Core Indian Players

🔸 MS Dhoni (Mentor/Wicketkeeper – Retired)

Role: Iconic leader, now mentor and strategic guide
Strengths: Tactical brilliance, finishing ability (when active), calming influence

While he’s no longer an active player, Dhoni continues to play a vital role behind the scenes — guiding players, shaping game plans, and acting as a bridge between generations.

🔸 Ravindra Jadeja

Role: All-rounder (LHB, SLA)
Strengths: Explosive finisher, world-class fielder, economical bowler

Jadeja remains a cornerstone of CSK’s strategies — capable of changing games with bat, ball, or fielding. His role has expanded to supporting Ruturaj in leadership decisions.

🔸 Shivam Dube

Role: Batting all-rounder (LHB, RM)
Strengths: Big-hitter, handy bowler, strong against spin

Dube has matured into a dependable middle-order power hitter. With his ability to bowl useful medium-pace overs, he offers flexibility in team combinations.

🔸 Tushar Deshpande

Role: Right-arm Fast Bowler
Strengths: Death overs specialist, aggressive lines

Tushar’s performances in IPL 2023 and 2024 showed growth. He is expected to be CSK’s Indian pace spearhead in 2025.

🔸 Sameer Rizvi (Young Talent)

Role: Middle-order batsman
Strengths: Attacking intent, quick hands, fearless attitude

Rizvi impressed in the domestic circuit and was one of the hot picks at the auction. He’s likely to get chances in the top or middle order.

🔸 Mukesh Choudhary

Role: Left-arm Fast Bowler
Strengths: Swing with new ball, control in the powerplay

Back after injury, Mukesh adds variety and balance to the CSK pace attack.

🌍 Overseas Players

🔹 Moeen Ali (England)

Role: All-rounder (LHB, Off-spin)
Strengths: Versatile batsman, useful spinner, experience

Moeen has been a mainstay in the CSK setup. His ability to bat anywhere in the order and bowl tight overs gives CSK tremendous balance.

🔹 Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)

Role: Right-arm Fast Bowler
Strengths: Slingy action, deceptive pace, yorkers at death

Nicknamed the “Baby Malinga,” Pathirana has become a reliable death bowler for CSK. His variation and fearlessness make him a crucial asset.

🔹 Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Role: Left-arm Fast Bowler
Strengths: Cutter specialist, effective in slow conditions

Mustafizur’s inclusion strengthens the left-arm pace options. Particularly effective on two-paced tracks, he’s vital in Chennai’s home games.

🔹 Dwaine Pretorius (South Africa)

Role: All-rounder (RHB, RM)
Strengths: Finishing capabilities, slower balls, international experience

Pretorius offers backup to the all-rounder slot, particularly for finishing roles and bowling in the middle overs.

🧠 Spin Department

🔸 Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)

Role: Mystery spinner
Strengths: Powerplay bowling, variation, control

Theekshana has filled the shoes of Sunil Narine-esque mystery spinners in CSK’s attack. He’s Dhoni’s go-to bowler during powerplays.

🔸 Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – New Signing

Role: Off-spinner
Strengths: Smart tactics, experience, match-winner

Returning to CSK after many years, Ashwin brings unmatched experience and can bowl in all phases. Also a thinking cricketer who’ll assist Ruturaj tactically.

🏏 Batting Line-Up Summary

Player	Role	Style	Likely Position
Ruturaj Gaikwad Captain of CSK in 2025	Opener	Technical	#1
Devon Conway (if re-signed)	Opener	Compact	#2
Moeen Ali	Aggressive All-rounder	Left-hand bat	#3
Shivam Dube	Finisher	Left-hand bat	#5–6
Sameer Rizvi	Young Batsman	Aggressive	#4–5
MS Dhoni (Mentor)	NA	NA	NA

The top order is built for stability with aggression in the middle overs. The combination of Gaikwad’s consistency and Moeen/Dube’s power is ideal.

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🎯 Bowling Attack Summary

Bowler	Type	Overs Focus
Tushar Deshpande	Right-arm Fast	Death / Powerplay
Mukesh Choudhary	Left-arm Fast	Powerplay
Pathirana	Slingy Fast	Death Overs
Theekshana	Mystery Spin	Powerplay
Jadeja	Left-arm Spin	Middle Overs
Ashwin	Off-spin	Flexible

Bowling attack has variety — pace from both arms, mystery spin, orthodox spin, and cutters. The attack is built to suit Chennai’s spin-friendly Chepauk pitch.

🧪 Bench/Backups

Rajvardhan Hangargekar – Young Indian pacer
Simarjeet Singh – Right-arm fast-medium bowler
Ben Stokes (if available) – Potential match-winner, but injuries might affect participation
Nishant Sindhu – Young all-rounder
Shaik Rasheed – Backup top-order batsman

🔍 Tactical Approach

Bat First Strategy at Home: Chepauk often favors slower pitches. CSK may look to bat first and defend totals using their spin-heavy attack.
Floating Moeen/Dube: Depending on the opposition and match situation, Moeen or Dube may be promoted to accelerate the innings.
Youth + Experience Blend: With emerging players like Rizvi and Choudhary, and veterans like Jadeja and Ashwin, CSK strikes a balance between aggression and wisdom.

💡 Key Strengths

Strong Spin Attack: Jadeja, Theekshana, Ashwin, and Moeen – a dream spin quartet, especially at home.
Flexible Batting Order: Ability to rotate batting combinations based on matchups.
Mentorship Culture: Dhoni’s presence, even off the field, provides stability.
Pace Variety: Right-arm sling (Pathirana), left-arm swing (Mukesh), and cutters (Mustafizur).

⚠️ Areas of Concern

Injury Risks: Stokes, Mukesh, and Moeen have had past fitness issues.
Finishing Role Depth: With Dhoni retired, Dube and Pretorius need to consistently deliver in tough chases.
Top Order Pressure: If Gaikwad fails early, inexperienced batters might be exposed.

📈 Expectations in IPL 2025

CSK is expected to be playoff contenders, thanks to their solid bowling and stable batting core. Much depends on:

Ruturaj’s captaincy growth
Jadeja’s all-round consistency
Middle-order contributions from Dube and Moeen
Death-over execution by Pathirana and Tushar

🔚 Final Thoughts

IPL 2025 is a fresh chapter for Captain of CSK in 2025 — the first season without MS Dhoni in the XI. Yet, the team appears well-structured with intelligent acquisitions, a home advantage at Chepauk, and strong domestic talent.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, combined with the tactical minds of Fleming and Dhoni, could ensure CSK continues to roar. With a well-balanced squad full of match-winners, a 6th title is not out of reach.

Who is the captain of CSK in 2025?