Chennai Super Kings returned a full circle in the Premier League Indian. For the second time, Mrs. Dhoni was forced to return as a captain of franchises in the middle of a declining form. Dhoni, left the international cricket in 2020, tried to give up his leading role twice, first in 2022 and in the 2024 season.
He was forced to return in 2022 after CSK was in a free fall in the middle of the season under Ravindra Jadeja. In 2024, the transition was more smoother with the CSK Ruturaj Gaikwad, which is ready to take over the cloak. But as they say, some things are written in the stars.
And now, in 2025, Mrs. Dhoni was forced to return again, because the party’s captain after Routuraj Gaiwad was expelled from the season due to the forearm injury. While the circumstances of the return could vary, Dhoni was invited to Chennai Super Kings in the middle of a shrinking form.
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CSK has now lost four matches in a row after winning its seasonal opener against the Indians in Mumbai. Their set of bats in most games looked from depth and their only consistent Batter-Giikwad- is now displaced for the season.
The absence of Gaikwad raises several urgent questions for CSK – not only heading for their conflict against the defending champions Kalkata Knight Riders, but for the rest of the season. Who replaces Gaikwad at the top of the order? What happens to the bat assembly forward? Does Dhoni Bat have higher or will disintegrate? Does the CSK have a specified representative for Gaikwad? And the biggest question: How long can MS Dhoni be, now 43, CSK’s Crisis Man?
Some of these questions will be answered in time, but others require immediate attention. Rahul Tripathi is likely to be invited to replace Gaikwad in the highest ranking. But Tripathi is woeful out of the form and has recently been abandoned due to continuing bad performances.
Dhoni’s return as a captain will undoubtedly be supported by Morality for CSK. The five -fold captain wins IPL remains the main tactic from behind the stump. But there is only so much captain – now he is on the rest of the Chennai team to answer this moment of adversity.
Varun Hrotors Resistance in Chepauuk
It will not be easy for CSK, because it is facing a kr ajinkya Rahane. Rahane’s side called for slower tracks in Eden Gardens, but without success. However, they could get their wishes in Chennai, where the surface could be more suitable for their strengths.
The KRK carries a tremendous threat to Spin, whether they go. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy will eagerly take advantage of Chepauk’s surface if he offers even the smallest turn on Friday.
The matches will play a key role. CSK is likely to be careful about Ravindra’s bowling to the Veneki Iyer, who seems to be regaining form. Last time Iyer played in Chepauk, he dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final and recorded Quickfire 52 of 26 balls.
Similarly, the KKR can try to include Shivam Dube using Andre Russell during medium exceeding. Dube fought against the Pandjab Kings after the Shreyas Iyera team decided not to have Yuzvendra Chahal. KKR could accept a similar tactic by the deployment of Russell against him.
KKR is an inconsistent start
The champions defenders had a mixed start of the season and won only 2 of their first 5 games. Their upcoming game against weakened CSK could be their best opportunity to bounce back from a close loss to LSG.
All eyes will be at Sunil Narine, which must justify their firm opening slot. His position at the top led the lower middle order on the occasion to influence the game.
CSK vs Krk: head to head
Chennai Super Kings historically dominated this accessory and won 19 games. KRKR managed only 10 victories since the beginning of rivalry in 2008.
CSK VS KRKR: Team News
Rahul Tripathi is expected to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad in the CSK line -up on Friday. KKR are without worrying about injury and can stick to the same XI, which just lost with LSG.
KRK continues to seek the best of its powerful lower middle order, which includes similar to Russell, Rink Singh and Ramandeep Singh. Vice-Capital Venkates Iyer defended Russell’s Back position, but for the team would be beneficial for the team if the lower-order dough was given more time to fold.
CSK VS KRKR: Predicated Xis Playing
CSK predicted XI
Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Rashin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Mukesh Choudhary / Anshul Cartar
KRK predicted XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanki, Venkatesh Iyer, Rink Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali / Spaense Ali / Spanger Ali / Spacer Johnson
Impact Sub: VAIBHAV ARORA
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KKR:
- Sunil Narine
- Venkatesh iyer
- VAIBHAV ARORA
- Varun Chakaravarthy
CSK:
- Rachin Ravindra
- Noor ahmad
- Ravindra Jadaja
- Matheesha Pathirana
CSK vs Krk: Pitch and weather conditions
Very few teams were satisfied with the conditions this season. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that in the last two years they have not been able to read the surface of Chepauk accurately. The goal was different from slow Turners to flat tabs – so it’s someone to guess what will show up on Friday.
The weather forecast is clear, without the expected interruption of the rain.
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
April 11, 2025
