CSK stars to watch out for in IPL 2025 | MS Dhoni to Andre Siddarth

After failing to qualify for the Indian Premier League 2024 playoffs, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on March 23 against the Mumbai Indians. The Men in Yellow’s players to watch in the 2025 season are listed below.

André Siddarth

At the age of 18, this budding talent was one of the outstanding performers in the most recent Ranji Trophy season, scoring 612 runs in 12 innings for Tamil Nadu at an amazing 68.00 average. With a century and five fifties, he has already demonstrated his skill in red-ball cricket. The major issue now is whether he can duplicate his performance in the fast-paced realm of Twenty20 cricket.

Rachin Ravindra

This exceptional Kiwi all-rounder is demonstrating why he is regarded as a generational talent, blasting two century in New Zealand’s CT 2025 campaign and maintaining a solid record across forms since the 2023 World Cup in India. Last IPL season, he scored 222 runs in 10 innings, including a half-century, while keeping his strike rate over 160. With CSK investing ₹4 million in him, the issue is whether he can continue his form into the IPL and make a significant impact.

Ravichandran Ashwin

This season marks Ashwin’s long-awaited return to CSK after a 10-year absence, with his previous appearance dating back to 2015. With 180 wickets in 212 matches, the seasoned spinner will try to repeat his success in Chepauk under the leadership of Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The major issue remains: can he achieve the desired 200-wicket mark in familiar conditions?

Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)

It will be interesting to watch how Gaikwad handles the strain of captaincy, especially after CSK missed the playoffs last season. His relationship with Dhoni will also be fascinating. Ruturaj’s batting has been unaffected by the presence of the great leader. In 2024, he scored 583 runs in 14 matches, with an impressive average of 53.00 and strike rate of 141.16. With a century, four fifties, and a best score of 108*, he was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer.

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is the franchise’s heart and soul, with the limelight focused on him wherever he goes. Embracing his position as a finisher, his approach at the crease—whether for a few balls or a critical cameo—is welcomed with such explosive anticipation that, at times, even the leaving batter’s dismissal is eclipsed by the crowd’s screams for Dhoni’s appearance. Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, the IPL has become his exclusive platform. In 2024, he once again shown his talent, scoring 161 runs with a remarkable strike rate of 220 and averaging 53.66.