CSK, in their Ruturaj Gaikwad era, have been happy to evolve with the times. But they would also dearly welcome some retro comforts, especially at home ©BCCI
What's new with CSK in the new cycle?
Nobody expects sea changes in Chennai any more, come new cycle or new rules. 'Stirred, not shaken' remains the anti-Bond ethos to CSK's team building. Glance through a possible playing XII below for IPL 2025 and you'll not be surprised to find out that nine of the names have previously donned the yellow - a staggeringly high number even amid the constant churn that the format's rapid evolution as well as the mega auction dynamics frequently conspire to co-create.
But even in this purpose-built environment that auto-renews yearly subscription to these virtues of consistency and continuity, there are bound to be upheavals. CSK have failed to make the playoffs only thrice in their storied history, but two of those have come in the last three-year cycle with a championship sandwiched in between. That 2023 season, however, did see them pioneer a top-down, 'knives-out' approach to T20 batting, one that KKR and SRH elevated even further last year.
CSK, now in their Ruturaj Gaikwad era, have been happy to evolve with the times. But they would also dearly welcome some retro comforts, especially at home. The standardization of conditions in this Impact-Sub era has altered the dynamics of games at Chepauk in the last two years, with spin not a driving force as it once was. Coaches Stephen Fleming and Michael Hussey even bemoaned the diminishing home advantage at different stages of their campaign last year. But having splurged a combined INR 19.75 crores to make two spinners - prodigal son Ravichandran Ashwin and upstart Noor Ahmad - their two top picks at the auction table, CSK are looking to turn back the clock and hope that it still ticks.
Full Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Andre Siddarth C, Shaik Rasheed, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devon Conway, MS Dhoni, Vansh Bedi, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Gurjapneet Singh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed
The best XII as things stand
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar/Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, MS Dhoni (wk), Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad/Jamie Overton
The player with a point to prove is...
Sam Curran. A little over two years ago, Curran was the player of the tournament at a T20 World Cup in Australia. Subsequently, he was signed on for INR 18.50 crore by Punjab Kings. More success followed on the domestic front as he won back-to-back Hundred trophies, one of them as MVP. But, after earning more than 100 England caps, the 26-year-old's fortunes have strangely dipped at the international level with Brendon McCullum leaving him out even amid England's current white-ball travails.
Even at this IPL auction, he didn't have many suitors lined up before his old employers forked out INR 2.4 crores. It may prove to be an astute purchase especially if CSK use him as a middle-order batter, where he has recently flourished. He hit his first T20 hundred in last year's Vitality Blast against Hampshire. He also enjoyed a fine season with the bat for the Desert Vipers, who he also captained to the final of this year's ILT20. A solid season here and he could just find himself holding the key to England's project rebuild.
A player who could have a breakout season...
Noor Ahmad. The 20-year-old Afghan left-arm wrist spinner carries strong T20 cred with him around the circuit and has already played 23 times over two seasons of the IPL for his 24 wickets. But his third season, the first at CSK, could be where he bursts into mainstream prominence to join the likes of his compatriot Rashid Khan. At INR 10 crores, Noor was CSK's costliest signing at the mega auction with Fleming & Co. outlasting Mumbai Indians in a bidding battle as well as thwarting Gujarat Titans' attempt to Right To Match (RTM) him. If pitches in Chennai do offer any kind of grip and turn, Noor could be a nightmare for opposition to face through the middle overs.
Fixture build-up and run-in
CSK's campaigns are typically built on their formidable home record. To that effect, they'll want to ensure a fast start given they'll play four of their first six games at home including the first two, against MI and RCB respectively. Points in the bank in the first half will be needed to offset a somewhat tricky run in. They will be on the road for three of their final four league fixtures, which includes trips to Bengaluru and Ahmedabad - where they lost at a corresponding stage last year.
A home ground stat to watchout for this season
CSK's spinners managed only five wickets at 55.40 at home last season - the worst for them on both metrics. It is to be noted that they gave away runs at only 6.92 runs to the over, which is more than passable in this era. But Gaikwad will want a little more penetration from his spinners, especially through the middle phase, to ease the burden on those bowling the unforgiving overs at the death.
© Cricbuzz
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