IPL 2025: 3 Game changers in CSK squad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have built a strong squad of 25 players for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead them even as he will have the veteran MS Dhoni to guide him as well through the season. CSK will be chasing their sixth IPL title this season especially after a not-so-great 2024 season when they couldn’t make it to the playoffs.

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The franchise has picked a few game-changing players in their squad and can certainly make a huge difference in almost every match for the team. On that note, let us have a look at the three game-changers in CSK squad for IPL 2025:

1. Rachin Ravindra

CSK did well to get Rachin Ravindra back into their line-up via RTM card during the auction. The kind of form the youngster is in at the moment, Ravindra can really turn the game on its head for CSK. To smack your first five ODI centuries in ICC events needs extremely brilliant temperament and Ravindra has it in him.

Ravindra will open for CSK and can go berserk right from the word go. He has done it before last season smashing 222 runs in 10 innings at an impeccable strike rate of 160.86. He is coming off a sensational show in the Champions Trophy and can definitely carry the same form in the shortest format of the sport for CSK.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

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Another overseas player, Matheesha Pathirana could be a game changer with the ball for CSK. The bowler with an action similar to Lasith Malinga has delivered a lot of brilliant spells for his franchise in the IPL and would be expected to do so yet again.

He has featured in 20 matches for CSK so far in three editions and picked up 34 wickets at a brilliant strike rate of 13.2. However, his fitness can be troublesome at times. For the same reason, Pathirana could only play six matches last year but even then, accounted for 13 scalps. Clearly, if the young bowler stays fit for the entire season, CSK’s death bowling worries would be vanished.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin can write a book on experience and how to read a game. The man has so much experience not only at the international level but also playing for different teams in different conditions. Having played 212 matches so far combined for CSK, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, Ashwin will look to bring all his experience to work.

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The off-spinner reads batters’ minds well and is always one step ahead of them. He has picked up 90 wickets so far for CSK and overall 180 in the cash-rich league. His spell often turns the game on its head and given the kind of variations Ashwin possesses, he can be the gamechanger for CSK in IPL 2025. Will be able to deliver just like he used to do in 2015? Well only time will tell if he can make an impact.

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