Delhi Capitals (DC) have kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign in style, sharing the top spot with Punjab Kings (PBKS), while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) find themselves under pressure after a rocky start.
CSK has suffered back-to-back losses — including their heaviest-ever defeat at Chepauk against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and a narrow miss against Rajasthan Royals (RR). With the team returning home this Saturday, they'll be hoping to turn things around at their fortress.
However, concerns linger over captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s fitness after he sustained an injury in the previous game. Should he be unavailable, veteran MS Dhoni is expected to take over the captaincy reins once again.
Frustration has also been building within the CSK camp regarding pitch conditions. Following the RCB loss, head coach Stephen Fleming was seen inspecting the surface with the curator. He later voiced concerns about the Chepauk pitches, which have failed to offer the spin support CSK had banked on while assembling their squad.
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni to return as CSK captain against Delhi Capitals? Shane Watson drops a big hint
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals look in commanding form. Their blend of experienced players and rising stars has clicked early in the tournament. Faf du Plessis, still going strong at 40, continues to impress, while Mitchell Starc has been lethal with the ball — grabbing eight wickets in just two games at an average of 9.62.
DC will also be eyeing a rare feat: breaking their 15-year losing streak at Chepauk. Their last win at the venue came in 2010 — when current DC coach Hemang Badani was donning the CSK jersey.
CSK vs DC Pitch report
An afternoon game at Chepauk will add to the spin quotient at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. While the surface has been slow and slow at the start, there has been assistance for the seamers as well in IPL 2025. However, that could be shortened with the afternoon start.
Chennai weather prediction
As per Accuweather, Chennai is expected to get sweltering hot conditions on Saturday with the humidity markers moving above 60 percent. It is slated to be over 30 degrees Celsius during the afternoon encounter. Bear in mind, a Yellow Alert has been issued for Chennai so there is a small chance of rainfall.
CSK vs DC Predicted Playing XI
CSK Predicted playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Jamie Overton
DC Predicted playing 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 Sub: Ashutosh Sharma
CSK vs DC Head-to-Head Record
Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have met 30 times in the IPL. Chennai hold a 19-11 lead in the head-to-head.
At Chepauk, CSK haven't lost to DC since 2010, when current coach Hemang Badani was part of the Chennai setup. Can he take Delhi to victory today?
CSK has suffered back-to-back losses — including their heaviest-ever defeat at Chepauk against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and a narrow miss against Rajasthan Royals (RR). With the team returning home this Saturday, they'll be hoping to turn things around at their fortress.
However, concerns linger over captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s fitness after he sustained an injury in the previous game. Should he be unavailable, veteran MS Dhoni is expected to take over the captaincy reins once again.
Frustration has also been building within the CSK camp regarding pitch conditions. Following the RCB loss, head coach Stephen Fleming was seen inspecting the surface with the curator. He later voiced concerns about the Chepauk pitches, which have failed to offer the spin support CSK had banked on while assembling their squad.
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni to return as CSK captain against Delhi Capitals? Shane Watson drops a big hint
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals look in commanding form. Their blend of experienced players and rising stars has clicked early in the tournament. Faf du Plessis, still going strong at 40, continues to impress, while Mitchell Starc has been lethal with the ball — grabbing eight wickets in just two games at an average of 9.62.
DC will also be eyeing a rare feat: breaking their 15-year losing streak at Chepauk. Their last win at the venue came in 2010 — when current DC coach Hemang Badani was donning the CSK jersey.
CSK vs DC Pitch report
An afternoon game at Chepauk will add to the spin quotient at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. While the surface has been slow and slow at the start, there has been assistance for the seamers as well in IPL 2025. However, that could be shortened with the afternoon start.
Chennai weather prediction
As per Accuweather, Chennai is expected to get sweltering hot conditions on Saturday with the humidity markers moving above 60 percent. It is slated to be over 30 degrees Celsius during the afternoon encounter. Bear in mind, a Yellow Alert has been issued for Chennai so there is a small chance of rainfall.
CSK vs DC Predicted Playing XI
CSK Predicted playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Jamie Overton
DC Predicted playing 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 Sub: Ashutosh Sharma
CSK vs DC Head-to-Head Record
Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have met 30 times in the IPL. Chennai hold a 19-11 lead in the head-to-head.
At Chepauk, CSK haven't lost to DC since 2010, when current coach Hemang Badani was part of the Chennai setup. Can he take Delhi to victory today?
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