IPL 2025: Watch - Ravichandran Ashwin becomes MS Dhoni's batting coach

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is soon approaching, all franchises have started their preparations in their team camps. A video of former skipper MS Dhoni and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed the attention of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans across social media platforms.

Ravichandran Ashwin has rejoined Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2025 season after being released by Rajasthan Royals (RR), who chose not to retain him in the auction. The team invested heavily to bring back the veteran spin-bowling all-rounder, securing him for ₹9.75 crores in the 2025 mega auction.

Ravichandran Ashwin, MS Dhoni to Play Together for CSK in IPL 2025

Ashwin began his IPL career with the Super Kings in 2009 and played for the franchise until 2015. The veteran off-spinner has played 212 IPL matches, taking 180 wickets at an average of 29.82 and an economy rate of 7.12, showcasing his vast experience. The 38-year-old recently retired from international cricket.

Meanwhile, the five-time IPL champions retained MS Dhoni as an uncapped player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. According to the new retention rules, a team can retain a capped Indian cricketer as uncapped if the player hasn't played international cricket or held a central contract in the last five years.

Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin Gives Batting Tips to MS Dhoni

After ten years, Ravichandran Ashwin has reunited with Chennai Super Kings after the franchise secured him with a big bid at the mega auction last December.

One CSK fan took to social media X (formerly known as Twitter) to share a video of MS Dhoni and Ashwin batting together. The clip, showing Ashwin giving batting tips to Dhoni, quickly gained attention online.

Ashwin Anna giving batting tips to Thala.😂💛 pic.twitter.com/4XnsBbOnrc

— Hustler (@HustlerCSK) March 6, 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin played 97 matches for the Super Kings from 2009 to 2015. The off-spinner has taken 90 wickets at an average of 24.22 and an economy rate of 6.46, with his best bowling figures for CSK, being 3/16.

With the bat, Ashwin scored 190 runs in 31 innings at a strike rate of 94, with 23 as his highest score. He also contributed in the field, taking 20 catches during his time with the franchise.

After leaving CSK, he went on to represent Rising Pune Supergiant, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals.

Chennai Super Kings to Kick Off IPL 2025 Campaign on March 23

The Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, March 23. Following their opening match, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Chennai on March 28.

The Chennai-based team finished fifth last season, winning seven out of 14 league stage matches. They had the same number of points as Royal Challengers Bengaluru but missed out on the playoffs due to a lower net run rate (NRR). Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also had 14 points.

Also read: BCCI issues official statement on 'unfair advantage' allegations against India in CT 2025