Big picture - 2025 going the 2020 and 2022 way for CSK
Twice in the last five years, poor starts have spelt doom for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). IPL 2025 is showing signs of heading the same way.
In 2020, CSK lost three of their first four matches and stumbled to a seventh-place finish with just six wins. In 2022, they opened with four consecutive defeats and ended ninth again, this time with only four wins.
Everything that could go wrong for them this season has, starting with the apparent lack of home advantage, according to coach Stephen Fleming. Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda, two big Indian signings, have failed to deliver and have already been dropped from the XI.
Their refusal to back young Indian talent - like Shaik Rasheed and C Andre Siddarth - has left CSK's batting heavily dependent on their overseas signings and Ruturaj Gaikwad. To make matters worse, Gaikwad isn't even batting in his preferred position at the top of the order, where he won the Orange Cap during CSK's title-winning campaign in 2021.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) may not be in as deep a hole as CSK, but have had their own battles, particularly at home. Mullanpur hasn't been a high-scoring venue, and PBKS have managed just one win in six matches there in two seasons. Unlike CSK, they split their home games across two venues, making the task of adapting even more demanding.
PBKS are coming off a tough home loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR), but they started the season with two commanding wins. Unlike CSK, their Indian core - led by Shreyas Iyer - is firing. Under new coach Ricky Ponting, there's a clear belief in youth, with players like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera getting consistent backing. It's a stark contrast to CSK's cautious approach.
CSK thrive on slower conditions, and the surface in Mullanpur could play right into their hands. RR showcased how effective spin could be here, using all three of their spinners - Maheesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya and Wanindu Hasaranga - to great effect. Even Sandeep Sharma's mix of slower balls and yorkers proved difficult to put away.
Maybe CSK will feel a lot more at home here?
Form guide
Punjab Kings LWW (Last three matches, most recent first)
Chennai Super Kings LLL
New loyalties
Sam Curran, who captained PBKS last year after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out injured, is now back at CSK. Curran, signed by CSK for INR 2.4 crore at the mega auction, was the costliest overseas signing when PBKS signed him ahead of the 2023 auction for INR 18.5 crore.
Nathan Ellis, a specialist death bowler who played 16 games for PBKS between 2021 and 2024, is now part of CSK.
Ambati Rayudu, meanwhile, reckons R Ashwin hasn't been at his usual best for CSK
Team news and likely XIIs
Mukesh Choudhary, the left-arm quick, looked off the pace and undercooked in his outing against Delhi Capitals (DC) three days ago. That could open the door for fast-bowling allrounder Anshul Kamboj to make his debut for CSK.
Likely XII: 1 Rachin Ravindra, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 4 Vijay Shankar, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 MS Dhoni (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Anshul Kamboj, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Matheesha Pathirana, 12 Khaleel Ahmed
Suryansh Shedge has the potential to be a finisher, but at PBKS, he has so far had very little to do. He has batted just once and hasn't bowled a single over. Perhaps there's a case for them to consider Harpreet Brar, who offers batting depth in addition to his left-arm spin.
Likely XII: 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 4 Nehal Wadhera, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Shashank Singh, 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Marco Jansen, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Lockie Ferguson, 12 Yuzvendra Chahal
The big question
Should Gaikwad, currently batting at No. 3, return to open where he's had most success? This season, he's come out to bat in the second over three times, and once in the first over.
In the spotlight: Yuzvendra Chahal and Shivam Dube
Yuzvendra Chahal hasn't bowled his full quota in two of the three games so far this season, while picking up just one wicket. Chahal's lack of assistance off the surface in a game where RR employed three spinners with winning returns could potentially be worrisome. Against CSK, he'll have to counter the possibility of bowling to a succession of left-handers which could add to his challenge.
CSK have been the slowest scoring side in the powerplay this season. It's against this backdrop that Shivam Dube's lack of runs make their situation quite dire. Dube has a top score of 19 in four innings, and hasn't been able to stamp his authority against spin, a role he thrived in during their title-winning season in 2023.
Pitch and conditions
RR breached the 200-run mark at the venue in the previous game. Mullanpur is among the bigger venues in terms of ground dimensions. Also, temperatures in the region have touched 37 degrees Celsius. Sunil Joshi, PBKS assistant coach, expects the surface to play slower, but not necessarily lower.
Stats and trivia
CSK have lost five out of their last six matches against PBKS.
CSK have the lowest powerplay run rate (7.5) and overall run rate (8.1) in IPL 2025.
The three wickets picked up by PBKS spinners are the least among all teams this season.
Arshdeep Singh has had a favourable match-up against Devon Conway, having dismissed him three times in four innings.
