Dhoni’s 400th T20: Do-or-Die Clash as CSK and SRH Fight to Stay Alive in IPL 2025
Chennai, April 25, 2025
It’s a milestone match for MS Dhoni as he steps out for his 400th T20 appearance, but there’s little room for celebration as both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) find themselves in a precarious position this IPL season. With just six games remaining, the playoffs dream hangs by a thread—and every match from here is a virtual knockout.
Will the Chepauk Curse End for SRH?
The Sunrisers have never beaten CSK at Chepauk, a record they’d desperately like to rewrite this Friday. But with both teams languishing near the bottom of the points table and struggling with inconsistent batting, it’s hard to call either a favorite.
Both Former Champions in Survival Mode
This IPL marks a slow start for both sides. CSK have managed only two wins so far—matching their worst-ever start from 2022—while SRH’s form has been equally erratic. Their famed batting line-up, which once posted scores north of 250 with ease, now appears lost.
Despite acquiring Ishan Kishan to boost firepower, SRH have stumbled repeatedly. CSK, meanwhile, are still trying to find the right mix, with most of their auction picks underperforming—except for Noor Ahmad, who has been a rare bright spot.
Who’s in the Spotlight?
- Ayush Mhatre (CSK): The youngster offered hope in the previous match against Mumbai Indians and could play a key role again in stabilizing CSK’s shaky top order.
- Pat Cummins (SRH): Despite his leadership and work rate, the Aussie pacer is leading a bowling unit that has the fewest wickets (38) and highest economy rate (10.59) this season. He’s also their second-highest wicket-taker—but at an average of 40 runs per scalp.
Probable XIs and Team News
Chennai Super Kings
Likely 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
CSK have used 20 players this season, and rotation is likely to continue. New signing Dewald Brevis batted at No. 4 during training and might feature.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Likely XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (capt), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Chahar/Kamindu Mendis
Given the spin-friendly Chepauk pitch, SRH might bring in Rahul Chahar or Kamindu Mendis to exploit CSK’s weakness against spin.
Talking Point: Should Klaasen Bat Higher?
Heinrich Klaasen, SRH’s standout performer with 281 runs at a 159+ strike rate, continues to bat too low in the order. With CSK relying heavily on spin at home, promoting Klaasen up the order could help shape the game early. However, it would mean sacrificing his finishing duties—an ongoing dilemma for SRH.
Chepauk Trends: Spinners Rule, CSK Falt
Chepauk has seen 27 of 50 wickets fall to spinners this season, but CSK have failed to capitalize—even struggling against KKR, losing 6 wickets for 55 in 12 overs against spin.
Dhoni Hits a Milestone, But CSK Hit a Slump
- This will be MS Dhoni’s 400th T20 game, putting him alongside elite company: Rohit Sharma (456), Dinesh Karthik (412), and Virat Kohli (407).
- CSK’s win percentage at home this season has plummeted from their historic 68% to just 25%.
- Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja, once known for their dominance against spin, now have two of the lowest strike rates against spin this season—114.86 and 87.93 respectively.
- Rahul Chahar has strong numbers at Chepauk (14 wickets, 6.2 economy), and keeps CSK’s big hitters quiet, making a strong case for his inclusion.
- Matheesha Pathirana might be held back specifically to counter Klaasen, who has fallen to the Sri Lankan three times in 22 balls across T20s.
Did You Know?
- Four players in this game—Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Ishan Kishan, and Shaik Rasheed—have faced over 30 balls in the powerplay without hitting a single six this season. Powerplay conservatism might be a shared weakness.
Verdict:
Both CSK and SRH are in “now or never” mode. With MS Dhoni hitting a massive milestone and both franchises fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, expect an emotional and strategic battle under the Chennai lights.
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