When Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went on to take the field to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during Match 57 of the season for IPL 2025, two notable omissions from the playing XI had not gone unnoticed among fans — England all-rounder Sam Curran and young Indian batsman Shaik Rasheed. In a season that has been lacking in terms of momentum for CSK, team management now openly experimented with combinations as they geared up to look towards the future.

In the pre-match briefing, an older CSK player spoke about the emotional value of the ground and how much cricket he used to play there as a child. He made a point that at this stage of the season, the mindset had changed to planning for the next year — figuring out what hasn't worked and where things need to improve in batting and bowling. With playoff chances all but eliminated, this change of strategy is not unexpected.

The CSK think tank is using these remaining fixtures to test bench strength and identify the core squad moving forward. "We’re giving chances to players to figure out our best XI or XII," the player added. It’s a practical move to bring fresh talent into the mix while also analyzing how they fare against quality opposition like KKR.

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Why Curran and Rasheed Miss Out

The reason for firing Shaik Rasheed is due to his disappointing performances over the course of the season. Though he began with promise, Rasheed has failed to convert starts and deliver under pressure. Conversely, replacement Urvil Patel has been in red-hot touch over the past domestic matches and has earned his selection on merit.

As for Sam Curran, the selection looks more tactical than on form. The Eden Gardens pitch is likely to provide turn, and Devon Conway, with his reputation for being a cool customer and having a strong hand against spin, has been selected as a better option for these conditions.