MS Dhoni to Ravichandran Ashwin: CSK stars to watch out for in IPL 2025

After failing to qualify for the Indian Premier League 2024 playoffs, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will start their IPL 2025 campaign on March 23 against Mumbai Indians (MI). Here are the players to watch out for in the 2025 season from the Men in Yellow.
 

Chennai Super Kings is the joint most successful franchise in the history of the IPL. CSK won five IPL titles under MS Dhoni's leadership. 
 

MS Dhoni remains the heart and soul of the franchise, with the spotlight firmly on him wherever he goes. Embracing his role as a finisher, his arrival at the crease—whether for a few balls or a crucial cameo—is met with such electrifying anticipation that, at times, even the departing batter finds their dismissal overshadowed by the crowd’s cheers for Dhoni’s entry. Since stepping away from international cricket in 2020, the IPL has been his only stage. In 2024, he showcased his brilliance once again, amassing 161 runs at a staggering strike rate of 220 while averaging 53.66.
 

Ruturaj Gaikwad

It will be intriguing to see how Gaikwad handles the pressure of captaincy, especially after CSK missed out on the playoffs last season. Equally interesting will be his dynamic with Dhoni. However, having the legendary skipper around hasn’t impacted Ruturaj’s batting in the slightest. In 2024, he piled up 583 runs in 14 matches, maintaining a stellar average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 141.16. With a century, four fifties, and a top score of 108*, he finished as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer.
 

Andre Siddarth

At just 18, this rising star was one of the standout performers in the latest Ranji Trophy season, amassing 612 runs in 12 innings for Tamil Nadu at an impressive average of 68.00. With a century and five fifties to his name, he has already showcased his talent in red-ball cricket. The big question now—can he replicate this success in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket?
 

Ravichandran Ashwin

This season marks Ashwin’s long-awaited return to CSK after a decade, with his last appearance for the team dating back to 2015. With 180 wickets in 212 matches, the seasoned spinner will look to weave his magic once again at Chepauk under the leadership of Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The big question remains—can he reach the coveted 200-wicket milestone in familiar conditions?
 

Rachin Ravindra

This talented Kiwi all-rounder is proving why he’s considered a generational talent, smashing two centuries in New Zealand’s CT 2025 campaign and maintaining an impressive run across formats since the 2023 World Cup in India. Last IPL season, he tallied 222 runs in 10 innings, including a half-century, while maintaining a striking rate above 160. With CSK investing ₹4 crore in him, the question now is—can he carry this form into the IPL and make a big impact?