CSK vs DC Head To Head,CSK vs DC Match Preview, IPL 2025: Can MS Dhoni’s Return as Captain Stall Delhi’s Momentum?
IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Preview:
MS Dhoni might return to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they prepare to face the in-form Delhi Capitals (DC), who remain unbeaten in the tournament so far.
Match Details:
- Match: CSK vs DC – IPL 2025, Match 16
- Date: Saturday, April 5
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
Chennai Super Kings’ Struggles and Dhoni’s Possible Return
After a strong start with a win over Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings have faced back-to-back defeats against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), slipping to the bottom of the points table with a net run rate of -0.771.
Adding to their concerns, current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is reportedly nursing an elbow injury and may miss the upcoming clash. In his absence, legendary captain MS Dhoni is likely to return to the helm, a move that could lift team morale and stabilize the playing XI.
Delhi Capitals: Riding the Winning Wave
Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, have been in sensational form. They’ve won both of their opening matches and are joint table-toppers alongside Punjab Kings.
DC narrowly edged out Lucknow Super Giants by one wicket thanks to a clutch performance from Ashutosh Sharma and then chased down 164 comfortably against Sunrisers Hyderabad, with 24 balls to spare. Mitchell Starc was the star of that match, taking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20s.
Head-to-Head Record: CSK vs DC
Historically, Chennai Super Kings have dominated this fixture, leading with 30 wins to Delhi’s 19. At Chepauk, CSK have won 7 out of their 9 encounters against DC. In their last five meetings, CSK have emerged victorious four times.
Team News & Probable XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted XI:
Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Jamie Overton, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Player: Shivam Dube
Delhi Capitals (DC) Predicted XI:
Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Player: T Natarajan
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report:
The MA Chidambaram Stadium usually favors spinners and offers a low-to-moderate scoring contest. The average first-innings score here is around 156. Teams batting first have won 61 times, while chasing sides have claimed victory on 51 occasions.
Weather Forecast:
The weather in Chennai is expected to be humid, with temperatures feeling uncomfortable in the high 60s (percentage). There’s only a 7% chance of rain and about 25% cloud cover, so a full match is expected.
Top Fantasy Picks:
- Noor Ahmad (CSK): The Afghan spinner is CSK’s leading wicket-taker this season with 9 wickets in 3 matches, including a four-wicket haul and an economy rate of 6.83.
- Mitchell Starc (DC): The Australian pace ace has taken 8 wickets in 2 matches, including a five-wicket haul. His economy rate is on the higher side at 10.04, but his match-winning ability is unquestionable.
- Rachin Ravindra (CSK): The New Zealand all-rounder has scored 106 runs in 3 matches at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 132.50, including one half-century.
Conclusion:
All eyes will be on Chepauk as MS Dhoni’s potential return as captain adds an extra layer of excitement to this clash. CSK will aim to bounce back, while DC look to maintain their unbeaten streak. With star performers on both sides, this promises to be a thrilling contest in IPL 2025.
