The IPL 2025 has started with a bang with RCB demolishing Hyderabad in the opener and Mumbai winning its first match after 2013. There are numerous records to break this season, but it has been a solid start to the tournament already. The last season had terrific youngsters in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Ayush Mhatre and several others rocking the IPL and this season there are a couple of more shining stars to the list. Names like Ashwani Kumar, Prashant Veer are all ready to show their talent and skills. The IPL has had a rollicking start and now two champion teams lock horn for a deadly battle at Assam, Guwahati.
Record over the years
Chennai Super Kings is set to tackle Rajasthan Royals in the third match, and both franchises have a young captain. Rajasthan has a relatively younger captain in Riyan Parag, but he will have the staunch support of coach Kumar Sangakkara, while Chennai has an experienced leader in Ruturaj Gaikwad who won the orange cap in 2021 and was an integral part in the title win.
This is an unheard and unspoken rivalry. Chennai has won 16 games compared to the 15 won by RR which is undoubtedly the closest rivalry by figures but, from 2021 to 2023 Rajasthan has had the upper hand winning four games on the trot. Even in the previous season, Rajasthan had the last laugh.
The yellow army would be chomping at the bits for an early win against the Boys in Pink, but it won’t be as noisy because the Chennai fans will be missing their Thala who has been an entertainer for years. Although, the ability of MS Dhoni is beyond entertainment for CSK.
Dhoni’s experience is key to the franchise’s success plus; he has had terrific amount of success against Rajasthan over the years. Scoring 553 runs in 28 matches with 17 dismissals this clearly indicates his greatness and the skills he possesses even at the age of 42. Even at this stage, Dhoni can produce some unbelievable knocks and surprise fans which is remarkable.
Apart from experience and aura, Dhoni has amazing numbers against this team. He has 17 dismissals as a wicketkeeper which says a lot about his fitness. Dhoni is incredibly fit and he seems to get fitter and fitter by every season. He has had great success with the bat and in the 2019 game he smashed a swashbuckling 57 from just 46 balls which flattened the Royals bowling attack.
His physical strength and humongous hitting at the death overs are nightmares for the bowlers. This in turn forces them to alter their lengths but, the growing age and on-going injuries have affected Dhoni’s batting. Dhoni will miss the first three weeks of IPL due to a calf strain.
Ruturaj has been the real force for CSK against the Royals in the last three seasons. He has scored 273 runs in 8 innings and CSK will need a captain’s special tonight. Personally, Ruturaj has underachieved and underperformed in the last two IPL seasons, and he would be desperate to change that. His ODI century against South Africa should leave him confident and in good mental space.
The captain will need enough contribution from the others as well to give CSK a winning start especially in its first game. There will be loads of expectation from Sanju Samson in the absence of Dhoni. CSK has confirmed the opening pair of Gaikwad and Samson which should be a success for the team.
The injury list keeps growing for Chennai as after Dhoni, Dewald Brevis is set to miss due to the side strain, although CSK has a backup in Prashant Veer and Sanju Samson the mastermind of Dhoni will be a huge hole to fill. Dhoni’s absence now automatically puts entire pressure on Samson as he will now have to keep well but it is a golden chance for Samson to do something extraordinary against his old franchise. Jadeja will be the ex-factor for RR, and he will be pumping to play against his old franchise.  It is the battle of the heavyweights, and both teams will be eager to start off on a good note so what can be the probable squads for the teams?
CSK probable 11:
Ruturaj Gaikwad(captain), Sanju Samson, Mukesh Chowdhary, Noor Ahemad, Shivam Dube, Matthew Short, Ayush Mhatre, Spencer Johnson, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Jamie Overton
Rajasthan and Chennai will look to have a better season this year as they finished at the bottom last year but a lot will rely on Jadeja, Jaiswal, and Vaibav Sooryanvashi for RR to have a fantastic season and it is high time that Jofra Archer repays the trust shown in him by RR management on that note, the RR probable 11 will be somewhat like;
RR probable 11:
Riyan Parag (Capt.) Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryanvanshi, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Hetmyer, Shubham Dube
Expecting a flat deck and a high-scoring tussle between two giants. Let us know which team are you supporting tonight?
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