CSK have had a torrid start to IPL 2025, languishing in the bottom half of the points table with just one win from five games. The absence of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad due to injury has forced MS Dhoni to step up as skipper, adding intrigue to the narrative. Their recent form reads a grim LLLL, with a rare four-game losing streak raising questions about their batting depth and middle-order firepower. The reunion of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra at the top has shown promise, but the likes of Shivam Dube and Vijay Shankar need to step up to bolster a misfiring middle order. On the bowling front, spinners Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad will relish Chepauk’s spin-friendly conditions, while Matheesha Pathirana’s slingy pace could be a game-changer. Playing at their fortress, where they boast a formidable record (19 wins in 30 games against KKR), CSK will look to draw on the passionate ‘Yellove’ crowd to spark a revival.