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MS Dhoni Returns As CSK Captain To Rescue Their IPL 2025 Campaign Against KKR

Summary

The much-anticipated clash between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 has captured the spotlight for all the right reasons. With Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out due to injury, MS Dhoni is back leading CSK, reviving memories of past turnarounds. But history offers mixed signs as CSK battles four losses in five games and a misfiring batting unit. Kolkata Knight Riders, too, have their struggles, but their batting unit looks far more settled. At the iconic Chepauk, both sides aim to get their IPL 2025 campaign back on track.

Match Preview: CSK vs KKR - The Battle of Survival at Chepauk

IPL 2025 has been a rollercoaster, but for Chennai Super Kings, it has been more of a horror ride so far. MS Dhoni’s unexpected return as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury blow has given their fans hope but also brought back memories of the forgettable 2022 season when a similar mid-season captaincy change failed to arrest their slide.

Heading into their sixth game, CSK have managed only one win and suffered four defeats. The challenge doesn’t get any easier as they take on a tricky opponent in Kolkata Knight Riders, who themselves have endured an up-and-down start, winning only two of their five matches.

For MS Dhoni and CSK, this is more than just another game it’s a battle to avoid losing three matches in a row at their home fortress, Chepauk, for the first time in IPL history.

CSK’s Problems Are Deeper Than Captaincy

While Dhoni’s return as captain is a massive emotional lift for the CSK faithful, the team’s issues are structural. Their batting has lacked punch, especially in the middle overs. The middle order (positions 4-7) has the lowest strike rate (126.04) this season across all teams.

The absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was their most consistent batter, leaves a huge void. Rahul Tripathi is likely to slot in, but asking him to fill Gaikwad's shoes immediately is a big ask. Moreover, fielding lapses have haunted CSK, as their catch efficiency of 67.6% is the second-worst this season.

While Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway offer a promising start, the dependency on Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni for late fireworks isn’t sustainable if they want to compete against stronger batting sides like KKR.

MS Dhoni vs KKR’s Spin Might: A Key Sub-Plot

One of the most fascinating mini-battles will be MS Dhoni facing KKR’s spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. The numbers tell a concerning story for CSK fans Dhoni has managed only 11 runs in 16 balls against Chakaravarthy in the IPL and has been dismissed thrice. Against Narine, Dhoni’s strike rate dips further to 52.7 across 74 balls.

Add Ravindra Jadeja's struggles against Narine to the mix, and it becomes clear that KKR will save at least two overs from their spin twins to target CSK's finishers.

KKR Looking To Capitalize On CSK's Woes

For Kolkata Knight Riders, this game is a golden chance to push CSK further down the points table and revive their own campaign. Their batting has shown promising signs with back-to-back 200+ scores before this fixture.

Even though Quinton de Kock has struggled apart from his one big knock, players like Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell provide a threatening middle-order lineup. The only question for KKR is whether they will finally push Russell up the order to maximize his impact.

With Moeen Ali likely to replace Spencer Johnson given Chepauk's spin-friendly nature, KKR’s bowling attack looks well-balanced to counter CSK's vulnerabilities.

Chepauk's Changing Reputation

Once considered CSK's fortress, Chepauk hasn't been kind to them in recent seasons. IPL 2025 has seen them lose to both RCB and DC at home. The conditions, expected to favour spinners and slower bowlers, may actually suit KKR better in this clash.

However, the Dhoni factor combined with Chepauk's crowd support could inspire CSK to break their losing streak.

Team Lineups & Key Players

CSK are expected to field a XI led by Dhoni, with Rahul Tripathi likely replacing Gaikwad. The bowling unit led by Matheesha Pathirana and Ravichandran Ashwin needs to fire, while Shivam Dube's power-hitting remains critical.

KKR, on the other hand, have options in Rahmanullah Gurbaz to replace de Kock if needed, while their spin battery of Narine and Chakaravarthy will be central to their plans.