NEW DELHI: When discussing title contenders within the IPL, the title Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) inevitably rises to the highest, due to their on-field dominance and a file 5 titles. With IPL 2025 set to begin on March 22 and CSK kicking off their marketing campaign towards fellow five-time champions Mumbai Indians on March 23 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium, all eyes can be on the Yellow Military and their iconic chief Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
CSK’s dominance might be attributed to the legendary Dhoni, beneath whose captaincy the group has secured 5 titles, reached the ultimate ten occasions, and superior to the playoffs on 12 events.
PAST PERFORMANCES
After ending as runners-up within the inaugural 2008 season, CSK made it to the semifinals in 2009. The next two years, 2010 and 2011, noticed them clinch back-to-back titles, establishing their supremacy.
In 2012 and 2013, CSK reached the finals however fell brief, dropping to Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians, respectively. In 2014, they missed out on the ultimate after being defeated by Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Qualifier 2.
CSK’s resurgence got here in 2015 after they reached the ultimate as soon as once more, solely to lose to Mumbai Indians. Nevertheless, the group confronted a significant setback after they have been suspended from the IPL for 2 years (2016 and 2017) as a result of 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal.
The suspension didn’t diminish CSK’s spirit. They returned triumphantly in IPL 2018, successful the title. In 2019, they narrowly missed out on the championship, dropping to Mumbai Indians by only one run in an exhilarating ultimate.
In 2020, CSK skilled their first failure to qualify for the playoffs, exiting after the league stage. Nevertheless, they rebounded strongly in 2021 to assert their fourth title.
The 2022 season noticed one other setback as CSK as soon as once more failed to succeed in the playoffs. But, they staged a exceptional comeback in 2023, clinching their fifth title.
The 2024 season marked a big change as Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Sadly, the transition didn’t yield the specified outcomes, as CSK confronted an early exit, ending fifth within the league stage with seven wins and 7 losses, amassing 14 factors.
As IPL 2025 approaches, the burning query stays: Can CSK add a sixth trophy to their adorned cupboard?
SWOT ANALYSIS
CSK have constantly checked all of the bins heading into tournaments, which explains their sustained dominance over time.
With the strategic brilliance of Dhoni nonetheless within the squad, CSK boast a formidable top-order lineup that includes New Zealand batting stars Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, together with the skilled Rahul Tripathi. Staying true to their custom of prioritising all-rounders, CSK have as soon as once more picked a strong facet, together with Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
CSK’s bowling assault additionally seems well-balanced, with the likes of Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Khaleel Ahmed, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, and Noor Ahmad.
The one chink in CSK’s armour appears to be their captaincy.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was entrusted with the management position in IPL 2024, fell in need of expectations as CSK completed fifth in IPL 2024 with seven wins and as many losses.
CSK can be hoping that Ruturaj can put the 2024 disappointment behind him and lead the group with fiery dedication to safe their sixth title.
BEST XI
Devon Conway/Rachin Ravindra*, Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran*, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad/Nathan Ellis*, Matheesha Pathirana*, Khaleel Ahmed (*denotes abroad participant)
CSK SQUAD FOR IPL 2025
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, C Andre Siddarth, Vansh Bedi, Shaik Rasheed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary, Kamlesh Nagarkoti
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