Match No. 43 of IPL 2025 is set to feature a thrilling clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, April 25.
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Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Preview
IPL 2025 is just over a month old, and teams are now entering the second half of the league stage. It’s still too early to count anyone out of the playoff race — even the two sides languishing at the bottom. Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) remain mathematically in contention for a playoff spot if they manage to win all six of their remaining matches, starting Friday.
The atmosphere at Chepauk is unusually subdued. The buzz that typically surrounds IPL matchdays seems noticeably absent. With just 24 hours to go before the game, there’s a lack of the usual fanfare, and at a venue that once drew 10,000 fans for a practice session after a two-year break, the silence is striking. Inside the press room, head coach Stephen Fleming offered little in the way of new insights. Meanwhile, local reports suggest uncertainty around ticket sales — a rare occurrence in Chennai’s cricket-mad environment.
It mirrors the kind of season Chennai Super Kings have endured so far. With just two wins from their first eight games, they find themselves at the bottom of the table. MS Dhoni has spoken briefly about trying to get the “combinations right” and “settling on a core” with an eye on the “next year,” while Fleming struck a slightly more hopeful tone than he did after CSK’s nine-wicket loss in Mumbai.
“We’re still hopeful of winning six out of six,” said CSK head coach Stephen Fleming on the eve of their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “Some might chuckle at that, but RCB laid out the blueprint last year.”
With just two victories under their belt, CSK have matched their worst-ever start to a season, replicating their 2022 run when they also had two wins from eight games and eventually finished ninth. A key concern has been their underperforming batting line-up.
Most of their auction picks — with the exception of Noor Ahmad — haven’t delivered, and even some of their seasoned performers seem to be heading in the wrong direction.
The match also marks a significant personal milestone for CSK captain MS Dhoni, who will be playing his 400th T20 match. He joins an elite group of Indian players with the most appearances in the format, alongside Rohit Sharma (456), Dinesh Karthik (412), and Virat Kohli (407).
Shivam Dube, once known for his dominance against spin, has struggled this season. His strike rate of 114.86 against spin is the second-lowest among batters who’ve faced at least 50 deliveries. Topping that unwanted list is fellow CSK teammate Ravindra Jadeja, who has managed just 87.93.
CSK’s Rachin Ravindra has also found it tough going. Among batters who have faced at least 100 balls this season, he holds the fourth-lowest strike rate — and the lowest among specialist openers. His only fifty came in CSK’s season opener against Mumbai Indians.
CSK might look to hold back Matheesha Pathirana’s overs for Heinrich Klaasen, given their head-to-head history in T20s: just 26 runs conceded in 22 balls, with three dismissals.
SRH’s struggles this season are baffling, especially considering this is largely the same batting unit that was regularly racking up scores in excess of 250 less than a year ago. They even bolstered their line-up by adding Ishan Kishan, yet the firepower that once looked unstoppable has collectively failed to fire.
That RCB blueprint — a late-season surge where they won six of their last seven matches to sneak into the playoffs — is also something SRH head coach Daniel Vettori referred to following a seven-wicket defeat at home, incidentally also against Mumbai Indians. “There have been teams that managed to turn their season around. You only need to look at RCB last year after a tough start. If we’re drawing inspiration from anyone, it’s probably them,” Vettori had remarked.
SRH have never managed a win against CSK in Chennai. But could this be their moment to finally break the jinx, especially with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals already breaching the fortress earlier this season? CSK’s usually formidable home record — a 68% win rate — has dipped sharply to just 25% in IPL 2025.
SRH’s Rahul Chahar could be key in exploiting CSK’s batting weaknesses. With 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.2 — second only to Sunil Narine’s 5.9 among bowlers who’ve delivered at least 25 overs at Chepauk — he also has impressive numbers against CSK’s middle order. Dhoni (strike rate 56), Jadeja (88), and Dube (114) all struggle against him, making a strong case for his inclusion in the playing XI.
Heinrich Klaasen is SRH’s top batter this season with 281 runs at an average of 40.14 and a strike rate of 159.65. Should he move up the order to take control of the innings — especially against a CSK side likely to rely on spin — or continue in his current role as the designated finisher in the middle order?
SRH have struggled heavily in the Powerplay this season, losing the joint-most wickets (16) and posting the lowest batting average (27.81) in the phase. On the other hand, CSK haven’t fared much better, registering the lowest scoring rate during the same period.
Interestingly, this game also features four of the five batters who have faced 30+ balls in the powerplay without hitting a six this IPL: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ishan Kishan, and Shaik Rasheed.
While an RCB-style comeback is a long-term mission, the immediate focus is on the two crucial points on offer — a lifeline both teams are desperate to grab to stay in the playoff hunt. But calling a clear favourite here isn’t easy. It’s more of a contest of vulnerabilities than strengths. CSK have lost three of their four home games this season, while SRH are still searching for their first away win and have never beaten CSK in Chennai.
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Recent Form
Chennai Super Kings: LWLLL (last five matches, most recent first)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: LLWLL
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Head-to-Head
- Matches Played: 22
- Won by Chennai Super Kings: 16
- Won by Sunrisers Hyderabad: 6
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 25, 2013
- Most-recent Fixture: April 28, 2024
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
It will be another challenging contest at a venue that has proven tough for batsmen. The uneven ground dimensions and the hot, humid weather conditions are expected to play a role.
Spinners have accounted for 27 of the 50 wickets taken at Chepauk this season. However, CSK has been unable to capitalize on this, as their batting has struggled against spin, most recently seen in their home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, where they lost six wickets for just 55 runs in 12 overs.
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Team News and Predicted XI
Chennai Super Kings – Team News
There are no injury concerns in the squad. CSK have fielded 20 out of 27 players this season, making it difficult to predict their XI. Many of the younger players participated in match simulation training at their High Performance Academy on Wednesday, with new recruit Dewald Brevis batting at No. 4.
Matheesha Pathirana has a strong record against Heinrich Klaasen in T20s, having dismissed him three times in 22 balls while giving up only 26 runs.
Bowling consultant Eric Simons had an extensive discussion with an out-of-form Rachin Ravindra during a net session, and it remains to be seen whether CSK will continue to back him. Wicketkeeper-batter Vansh Bedi impressed during his net session and in an intra-squad practice match, potentially earning him a spot. The fourth overseas slot could go to Sam Curran.
Chennai Super Kings – Predicted XI
- Rachin Ravindra
- Shaik Rasheed
- Ayush Mhatre
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shivam Dube
- Vijay Shankar
- MS Dhoni (capt & wk)
- Jamie Overton
- R Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmad
- Matheesha Pathirana
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Team News
There are no injury concerns within the squad. SRH may consider adding an extra spinner, such as Rahul Chahar or Kamindu Mendis, for the Chennai game. Their spinners have only taken eight wickets at an average of 50.75, with an economy rate of 9.80 per over, the worst in the league. However, spinners like Zeeshan Ansari and Rahul Chahar might have a more favorable match-up against CSK, who have struggled against spin this season, losing 25 wickets at an average of 18.84 and scoring just 6.61 runs per over.
SRH did not have a practice session before the match due to back-to-back games. With Mohammed Shami struggling for form, Jaydev Unadkat may retain his place in the XI.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Predicted XI
- Abhishek Sharma
- Travis Head
- Ishan Kishan
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Aniket Verma
- Abhinav Manohar
- Pat Cummins
- Harshal Patel
- Jaydev Unadkat
- Rahul Chahar/Zeeshan Ansari
- Kamindu Mendis/Eshan Malinga
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Players To Watch Out For
Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK’s batting lineup once had a reliable stabilizer, a “luxury player” as MS Dhoni would call them, who would step in during collapses. Players like S Badrinath or Ajinkya Rahane, with their experience, could handle challenging situations.
This year, however, the experienced core has faltered, pushing CSK to seek alternatives. Ayush Mhatre showed promise in their previous match against Mumbai Indians, and on Friday, he gets another opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
As evidence that T20 cricket often seems to favor batsmen, Pat Cummins, one of the finest bowlers of his generation, leads an attack that has struggled to make an impact and has been costly. SRH have claimed the fewest wickets (38) and conceded the highest run rate (10.59) among all 10 teams.
Cummins has taken it upon himself to spearhead the effort, bowling more overs than anyone else in the squad, but the results have been far from ideal. While he is the team’s second-highest wicket taker, those wickets are coming at an average of 40 runs each.
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Sunrisers Hyderabad Total: 180-190
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 40-50
- Chennai Super Kings Total: 180-190
- Match Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad win the match
When and Where To Watch Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Friday, April 25, 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.
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FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between CSK and SRH?
CSK and SRH have faced each other 22 times, with CSK winning 16 matches and SRH winning 6.
Who is CSK’s top performer in IPL 2025 so far?
CSK’s key players like Shivam Dube and Rachin Ravindra have struggled, with Dube particularly struggling against spin.
What are SRH’s biggest struggles in IPL 2025?
SRH’s primary challenges include poor bowling performances, with the team having the fewest wickets (38) and the highest run rate (10.59) in the tournament.
How have CSK’s batting woes impacted their season?
CSK’s batting line-up has underperformed, particularly against spin, contributing to their slow start this season.
Which overseas players are expected to play in CSK’s upcoming match?
CSK might opt for Dewald Brevis and Sam Curran, with Brevis likely to bat at No. 4 and Curran filling the fourth overseas spot.
