IPL 2025: CSK backed to win sixth title by 1983 World Cup winner

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be keen to win their sixth trophy in the upcoming season. Former India captain Kris Srikkanth predicted another successful season for Chennai Super Kings, adding excitement for fans just days before the start of the tournament.

MS Dhoni stepped down as captain and passed the leadership to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024. CSK finished fifth after losing their final league match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and missed out on the playoffs in IPL 2024. The franchise remains one of the most successful in IPL history with five titles.

I'm Sure It's Going to Be a Great and Exciting Season - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth expressed confidence in Chennai Super Kings having a successful season. Speaking to ANI, Srikkanth highlighted the excitement surrounding CSK’s season opener against Mumbai Indians on March 23, calling it a "big game."

"I'm sure, in my opinion, CSK will do very well. It's great that we have this function today, the opening of Leo: The Untold Story of Chennai Super Kings. Good to see MS Dhoni, Mike Hussey, and everyone there—of course, R Ashwin as well," Srikanth said, speaking to ANI.

"I'm sure they'll do very well because, don't forget, the opening match is going to be a great game on the 23rd—CSK vs Mumbai Indians, the big game. So I'm sure it's going to be a great and exciting season," he added.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On IPL 2025, Former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth says, "Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will do very well (in the IPL 2025)...The opening match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings is going to be a great match. It is going to be a great and… pic.twitter.com/XgqBH6RjaT

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2025

MS Dhoni to Return for Another IPL Season with Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni is set to return for another IPL season with Chennai Super Kings. The 43-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2020, joined the training camp last week before taking a brief break to attend Rishabh Pant's sister's wedding.

The wicketkeeper-batter has not played competitive cricket since May 2024 but looked in great touch during practice, effortlessly hitting big shots in the nets.

Dhoni played a limited role in the previous season. He batted lower down the order but still managed to score 161 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 220.55. CSK fans and team management will be hoping for a similar impact from the legendary cricketer in the upcoming season.

CSK and MI to Clash in their IPL 2025 Season Opener on March 23

Chennai Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will return to CSK after nine seasons. The 38-year-old spinner reunited with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja.

Following their opening match, the Super Kings will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home on March 28. Their first away game of the season will be against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati on March 30. CSK will aim to secure victories in their first two home matches to start the tournament on a positive note.

Also read: IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane’s ‘captain-batter’ conflict will ruin KKR’s season, warns Aakash Chopra