The excitement of IPL 2025 rolls on as Chennai Super Kings take on Delhi Capitals in Match 17, set to be played on Saturday, April 5, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Preview
Delhi Capitals (DC) have established themselves as early front-runners in IPL 2025 alongside Punjab Kings (PBKS), while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have struggled to find form. CSK head into Saturday’s clash on the back of two consecutive defeats—one being their heaviest-ever loss at Chepauk in terms of runs, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and the other a narrow away defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR). They’ll be hoping that a return to their home ground brings a much-needed turnaround.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently under an injury cloud, and if he fails to recover in time, veteran MS Dhoni is expected to lead the side once again.
Following CSK’s 50-run defeat to RCB, head coach Stephen Fleming was seen in deep discussion with the pitch curator and a groundstaff member. Later, in a press conference, he voiced his frustration over the nature of pitches at Chepauk in recent seasons. Despite loading their squad with spinners in anticipation of spin-friendly conditions, the surfaces haven’t offered the expected assistance.
With three matches played, CSK are still trying to settle on their ideal playing XI. Rahul Tripathi’s poor run at the top continues, while Vijay Shankar—brought in for Deepak Hooda against RR—failed to make an impact. Jamie Overton, typically a death-overs specialist, was handed the new ball but conceded 30 runs in just two powerplay overs, adding to CSK’s early-season woes.
Devon Conway may no longer be New Zealand’s preferred opener in white-ball formats, but he remains a consistent figure across the Super Kings setup—featuring regularly for CSK, Joburg Super Kings (JSK), and Texas Super Kings (TSK). With Ruturaj Gaikwad’s availability still uncertain, there’s certainly a case to be made for Conway to take up the opening slot, regardless of Gaikwad’s status.
CSK, notably, have dominated their recent encounters against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, winning each of their last seven matches at the venue.
One of CSK’s major concerns this year has been their sluggish starts with the bat. They are scoring at just 7.44 runs per over in the PowerPlay across their first three matches—the lowest rate among all teams in IPL 2025 and significantly below the season’s overall average of 10.18. Chennai Super Kings also hold the worst economy rate (10.22) among all ten teams in the PowerPlay, highlighting their struggles at both ends of the innings.
Just three matches into the season, Chennai Super Kings are already under mounting pressure. The heavy home defeat to RCB was a wake-up call, and the subsequent loss to Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati only highlighted more weaknesses in their setup. While much of the spotlight continues to fall on MS Dhoni, CSK’s problems run much deeper. Their bowling unit, traditionally a strength, allowed RCB to pile on nearly 200 runs on a sluggish pitch. Against the Royals, they did finish well with the ball, but not before conceding 129 runs in the first 12 overs.
Their batting woes are even more pronounced. The top order appears overly dependent on Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose fitness remains uncertain ahead of the upcoming fixture. Rachin Ravindra showed promise in the opening games, but Rahul Tripathi and Shivam Dube are yet to find their rhythm. In a move uncharacteristic of CSK’s usually settled approach, the team has already shuffled personnel, with Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton rotating in and out.
However, one bright spot could be Matheesha Pathirana, who has had the upper hand over Tristan Stubbs in T20s—dismissing him four times while conceding only 19 runs off 22 balls.
Saturday’s clash will also feature three of the oldest players in the league—MS Dhoni (43), Faf du Plessis (40), and R Ashwin (38)—proving age is just a number in the world’s most competitive T20 tournament.
Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad is on the cusp of a personal milestone. Just 10 runs shy of 5000 in T20 cricket, if he takes the field and reaches the mark, he will become the joint-fastest Indian to the landmark in just 143 innings—matching KL Rahul. Only Chris Gayle has gotten there quicker, in 132 innings.
Amidst this turbulence, CSK now face a high-flying Delhi Capitals side that has won both of their opening matches. In the first, DC pulled off a narrow win thanks to a resilient middle order despite early top-order failures. In the second, their top-order roared back to form, easily dismantling last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a spin-heavy attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam, a slow surface at Chepauk could actually work to Delhi’s advantage.
This marks just the fifth occasion in IPL history that Delhi Capitals have started a season with back-to-back wins.
Delhi Capitals, in contrast, appear to be in excellent shape, having struck the right balance between seasoned campaigners and promising youngsters. Faf du Plessis continues to defy age with solid performances at 40, while Mitchell Starc has made a blazing start to the season, claiming eight wickets in just two matches at an average of 9.62 and an economy of 10.04. Youngsters Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma have settled in effortlessly, already delivering match-winning contributions.
Even if the Chepauk pitch offers turn, DC are well-equipped to make the most of it with their spin trio—captain Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and the impressive Nigam—ready to apply pressure. The Capitals now seem poised to break a 15-year drought against CSK at this venue; their last win in Chennai came back in 2010, when current head coach Hemang Badani was actually playing for CSK. Since then, Badani has carved out a successful coaching career, leading Chepauk Super Gillies to multiple TNPL titles—a run that earned him a return to the IPL spotlight. Could this be a triumphant return to Chepauk for Badani?
A key battle to watch on Saturday will be between Jake Fraser-McGurk and Khaleel Ahmed. Since IPL 2024, the explosive Australian opener has smashed 72 runs off just 35 balls against left-arm seamers at a staggering strike rate of over 205, though he has fallen to them three times.
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Head-to-head
- Total Matches Played: 30
- Won by Chennai Super Kings: 19
- Won by Delhi Capitals: 11
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: May 2, 2008
- Most Recent Fixture: March 31, 2024
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The surfaces in Chennai have generally been on the slower side, though RCB’s pacers did manage to generate some bounce and movement with the new ball. With this match scheduled for the afternoon, spinners are likely to have a bigger say.
The Chepauk pitch remains unpredictable, prompting Stephen Fleming to admit that CSK no longer enjoy a distinct home advantage. Expect a hot and humid atmosphere for what will be the only day fixture at this venue in IPL 2025.
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Team News and Predicted XI
Chennai Super Kings – Team News
If Ruturaj Gaikwad is unavailable for Saturday’s clash, CSK could consider bringing Devon Conway back to open and replacing Jamie Overton with a domestic fast bowler. Gaikwad’s participation remains uncertain, with the team set to make a late decision. Notably, he only took throwdowns briefly and did not bat against live bowling during the final training session.
Rahul Tripathi’s struggles against pace might prompt CSK to push him down the order where he can face more spin. Interestingly, he has a strong record against Delhi’s premier spinner Kuldeep Yadav, boasting a strike rate of 200.
Chennai Super Kings – Predicted XI
- Devon Conway
- Rahul Tripathi
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt)/Rachin Ravindra
- Shivam Dube
- Vijay Shankar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jamie Overton/Anshul Kamboj
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- R Ashwin
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Noor Ahmad
- Matheesha Pathirana
Delhi Capitals – Team News
DC are expected to stick with their current XI unless T Natarajan is fully fit. Kuldeep Yadav indicated that while Natarajan is nearing a return, he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming game, with a potential comeback more likely for the April 10 match against RCB in Bengaluru.
A key contest to watch will be how DC handle Noor Ahmad, who has had the better of Faf du Plessis in the past—dismissing him three times in just ten deliveries. The conditions, coupled with CSK’s spin-heavy approach, could also see Axar Patel play a more prominent role for his side.
Delhi Capitals – Predicted XI
- Faf du Plessis
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abhishek Porel (wk)
- KL Rahul
- Axar Patel (capt)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Vipraj Nigam
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mitchell Starc
- Mukesh Kumar
- Mohit Sharma/T Natarajan
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Players To Watch Out For
Khaleel Ahmed (Chennai Super Kings)
Khaleel Ahmed’s ability to swing the new ball has been a rare positive for CSK amid their tough start to the season. His control and movement in the air have even drawn comparisons to an upgraded version of Deepak Chahar. However, his effectiveness drastically changes depending on the time of play.
Since 2023, in night games, he has claimed 11 wickets across 22 innings at an average of 32.18 and an economy of 7.37. In contrast, his day-match returns drop sharply, with just two wickets in five innings, averaging 64 and conceding at 11.63 runs per over.
Faf du Plessis (Delhi Capitals)
Faf du Plessis, a former CSK stalwart, is set to face his old franchise at Chepauk. At 40, he remains a dominant force in the powerplay, an agile presence in key fielding positions, and a seasoned leader across leagues.
His remarkable longevity in the T20 circuit continues with Delhi Capitals and their sister team, Southern Brave, in The Hundred.
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Delhi Capitals Total: 190-200
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Delhi Capitals win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60-70
- Chennai Super Kings Total: 200-210
- Match Result: Delhi Capitals win the match
When and Where To Watch Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals is set to begin at 3:30 PM IST on Saturday, April 5, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between CSK and DC in the IPL?
Chennai Super Kings lead the rivalry with 19 wins out of 30 matches, while Delhi Capitals have won 11.
Why is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s availability for CSK vs DC uncertain?
Gaikwad is under an injury cloud and faced only throwdowns ahead of the game, with CSK expected to take a late call on his fitness.
Who could replace Ruturaj Gaikwad if he misses the match?
Devon Conway is likely to open in Gaikwad’s absence, with Jamie Overton potentially making way for a local seamer.
What’s the pitch condition for the CSK vs DC match at Chepauk?
The Chepauk pitch has been slow and inconsistent, and spin is expected to dominate the afternoon clash.
How has Khaleel Ahmed performed in day vs night IPL matches?
Since 2023, Khaleel has excelled in night matches but struggled in day games—averaging 64 with an economy of 11.63 in the latter.
