IPL 2025: Probable Playing XI for CSK vs KKR

The IPL 2025 25th match has been scheduled for Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (CSK vs KKR). MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) will host this fixture on Friday evening (April 11).

Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings started the IPL 2025 with a four-wicket win against Mumbai Indians, but then suffered four consecutive losses against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (50 runs), Rajasthan Royals (6 runs), Delhi Capitals (25 runs), and Punjab Kings (18 runs).

Meanwhile, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders are struggling to perform confidently. Apart from beating Rajasthan Royals in their second game and SunRisers Hyderabad in their fourth match by eight wickets and 80 runs, respectively, they lost against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (7 wickets), Mumbai Indians (8 wickets), and Lucknow Super Giants (4 runs).

See Also: IPL 2025: CSK vs. KKR - A Head-to-Head breakdown

IPL 2025, Match 25: CSK vs KKR (Playing XIs Status) - MS Dhoni set to return as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury

CSK's batting is a big concern, especially their top-order batters, who have failed to provide strong starts. Meanwhile, bowlers' hard work has been denied due to poor fielding. They need to make strong improvements in their performance. As the skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the tournament due to an elbow injury, MS Dhoni will lead the team for the rest of the tournament. Rahul Tripathy or Deepak Hooda can replace Gaikwad for the upcoming match.

The batting of KKR is also in question, as the top-order batting is a concern for them too. While Chennai offers more for the spinners, English all-rounder Moeen Ali may replace Spencer Johnson for the upcoming match. 

IPL 2025, Match 25: CSK vs KKR Probable Playing XI

Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway/Khaleel Ahmed (Impact Player Sub), Rahul Tripathi/Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (Captain and wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Rinku Singh, Vaibhav Arora/Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Impact Sub), Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Moeen Ali/Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakravarthy.