IPL 2025: 5 changes CSK should do to get back on track

<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/csk-chennai-super-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chennai Super Kings</strong></a> (CSK) suffered their biggest defeat at home in the history of the IPL. CSK never witnessed such a massive loss at home in a long time, especially since the MA Chidambaram Stadium started hosting their matches from 2019. Considering their performances in the first two matches against the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively, there is room for a lot of changes.</p>
<p>While CSK's troubles did not get exposed completely in the game against MI since they claimed a win, their loss against RCB has raised a lot of eyebrows. CSK is a team known for backing players and not taking major decisions in haste. However, the composition of their Playing XI (12) might force them to make changes in personnel and playing positions of the players.</p>
<p><strong>Also Check: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/3-reasons-why-ruturaj-gaikwad-as-csk-captain-is-wrong-choice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 Reasons why Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain is wrong choice</a></strong></p>
<hr>
<h2>Here are the five changes CSK should make to get back on track:</h2>
<h3>5. Drop Rahul Tripathi</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1743248182129_Rahul-Tripathi.jpeg" alt="Rahul-Tripathi" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Rahul-Tripathi. (Photo Source: X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Rahul Tripathi has somehow not been able to fire for CSK despite batting as an opener. It's the position where he can be successful, but hasn't been able to replicate. The talented batter hasn't been able to score more than 5 runs in either of his innings. Against MI, he scored 2(3) and managed 7(6) against RCB.</p>
<p>While CSK is a team known for backing players, Rahul might not be someone who fits into their combinations. Considering there are a lot of top order batters who are on the bench, it's better to consider dropping Tripathi for a few games. It might allow CSK to have a better combination, which might help them perform better as a team.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Replace Sam Curran with Devon Conway</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1682097080972_Devon-Conway.jpeg" alt="Devon Conway" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Devon Conway. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sam Curran hasn't been at his best in T20 cricket since winning the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2022. The star All-Rounder has changed a lot both as a batter and as a bowler. With the ball, he has mostly been a Powerplay bowler, who has not often been able to take wickets. Not to forget, his pace has gone down significantly.</p>
<p>As a batter, he has been batting higher in the order. He's more of an anchor who can rotate the strike in the middle overs than someone who can finish the innings. The way he has batted so far, finishing doesn't seem natural for him at this point. A good solution would be to replace him with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/devon-conway" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Devon Conway</strong></a>, who can contribute well as a pure batter.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Use Mukesh Choudhary as the Impact Substitute</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1743248237959_Mukesh-Choudhary.jpeg" alt="Mukesh-Choudhary" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Mukesh-Choudhary. (Photo Source: X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dropping Curran would mean the inclusion of an additional bowler. Curran was supposed to claim wickets at the top, which he hasn't been able to. Mukesh Choudhary can do that job, as he is a specialist bowler to take wickets at the top. The left-arm pacer can swing the ball and make a difference on many surfaces.</p>
<p>Chepauk has offered swing and a bit of extra bounce for the pacers in the ongoing season. The red soil makes a difference for different types of bowlers. Swing bowlers can be successful. Khaleel Ahmed has done a brilliant job for CSK so far. If he can get the support of Choudhary at the other end, CSK can pick more wickets with the new ball.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Replace Deepak Hooda with Vijay Shankar</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1730555585410_Vijay-Shankar.jpeg" alt="Vijay Shankar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Vijay Shankar. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Much like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda has batted badly in the ongoing season. His scores against MI and RCB have been 3(5) and 7(14), respectively. It has not helped CSK's cause and increased the burden on the team. CSK needs a better batter in the middle overs phase. In the current setup, there might not be a better option than Vijay Shankar.</p>
<p>The star batter has the experience of batting most of his career in Chepauk. He was one of the best batters in the IPL 2023 in the middle overs phase. While 2024 wasn't good for him, a clear definition of his role could help him bring the best version of himself. If required, Vijay can offer a bit of bowling as well.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Bat MS Dhoni higher in the order</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1742751359172_MS-Dhoni-entry.jpeg" alt="MS Dhoni entry" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>MS Dhoni entry (Source: JioStar)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-analysis/csk-drop-ms-dhoni-middle-order-ipl-2025-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni</strong></a> is still one of the best finishers in the world. Since 2023, he has had one of the best strike rates for batters in the last 4 overs. However, it is baffling to see him entering after the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravinchandran Ashwin. Even as a designated finisher, the 43-year-old must bat higher.</p>
<p>The star batter scored 30*(16) when the game was nearly out of CSK's hands. He should play similar cameos while batting higher in the order, which can help the team's cause. While it might not be ideal for him to bat in the middle overs, he can bat slightly higher and come somewhere around the 14th over to give himself a better chance.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/csk-chennai-super-kings" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chennai Super Kings</strong></a> (CSK) suffered their biggest defeat at home in the history of the IPL. CSK never witnessed such a massive loss at home in a long time, especially since the MA Chidambaram Stadium started hosting their matches from 2019. Considering their performances in the first two matches against the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively, there is room for a lot of changes.</p>
<p>While CSK's troubles did not get exposed completely in the game against MI since they claimed a win, their loss against RCB has raised a lot of eyebrows. CSK is a team known for backing players and not taking major decisions in haste. However, the composition of their Playing XI (12) might force them to make changes in personnel and playing positions of the players.</p>
<p><strong>Also Check: <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/3-reasons-why-ruturaj-gaikwad-as-csk-captain-is-wrong-choice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 Reasons why Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain is wrong choice</a></strong></p>
<hr>
<h2>Here are the five changes CSK should make to get back on track:</h2>
<h3>5. Drop Rahul Tripathi</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1743248182129_Rahul-Tripathi.jpeg" alt="Rahul-Tripathi" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Rahul-Tripathi. (Photo Source: X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Rahul Tripathi has somehow not been able to fire for CSK despite batting as an opener. It's the position where he can be successful, but hasn't been able to replicate. The talented batter hasn't been able to score more than 5 runs in either of his innings. Against MI, he scored 2(3) and managed 7(6) against RCB.</p>
<p>While CSK is a team known for backing players, Rahul might not be someone who fits into their combinations. Considering there are a lot of top order batters who are on the bench, it's better to consider dropping Tripathi for a few games. It might allow CSK to have a better combination, which might help them perform better as a team.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Replace Sam Curran with Devon Conway</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1682097080972_Devon-Conway.jpeg" alt="Devon Conway" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Devon Conway. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sam Curran hasn't been at his best in T20 cricket since winning the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2022. The star All-Rounder has changed a lot both as a batter and as a bowler. With the ball, he has mostly been a Powerplay bowler, who has not often been able to take wickets. Not to forget, his pace has gone down significantly.</p>
<p>As a batter, he has been batting higher in the order. He's more of an anchor who can rotate the strike in the middle overs than someone who can finish the innings. The way he has batted so far, finishing doesn't seem natural for him at this point. A good solution would be to replace him with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/devon-conway" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Devon Conway</strong></a>, who can contribute well as a pure batter.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Use Mukesh Choudhary as the Impact Substitute</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1743248237959_Mukesh-Choudhary.jpeg" alt="Mukesh-Choudhary" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Mukesh-Choudhary. (Photo Source: X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Dropping Curran would mean the inclusion of an additional bowler. Curran was supposed to claim wickets at the top, which he hasn't been able to. Mukesh Choudhary can do that job, as he is a specialist bowler to take wickets at the top. The left-arm pacer can swing the ball and make a difference on many surfaces.</p>
<p>Chepauk has offered swing and a bit of extra bounce for the pacers in the ongoing season. The red soil makes a difference for different types of bowlers. Swing bowlers can be successful. Khaleel Ahmed has done a brilliant job for CSK so far. If he can get the support of Choudhary at the other end, CSK can pick more wickets with the new ball.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Replace Deepak Hooda with Vijay Shankar</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1730555585410_Vijay-Shankar.jpeg" alt="Vijay Shankar" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Vijay Shankar. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Much like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda has batted badly in the ongoing season. His scores against MI and RCB have been 3(5) and 7(14), respectively. It has not helped CSK's cause and increased the burden on the team. CSK needs a better batter in the middle overs phase. In the current setup, there might not be a better option than Vijay Shankar.</p>
<p>The star batter has the experience of batting most of his career in Chepauk. He was one of the best batters in the IPL 2023 in the middle overs phase. While 2024 wasn't good for him, a clear definition of his role could help him bring the best version of himself. If required, Vijay can offer a bit of bowling as well.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Bat MS Dhoni higher in the order</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1742751359172_MS-Dhoni-entry.jpeg" alt="MS Dhoni entry" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>MS Dhoni entry (Source: JioStar)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-analysis/csk-drop-ms-dhoni-middle-order-ipl-2025-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni</strong></a> is still one of the best finishers in the world. Since 2023, he has had one of the best strike rates for batters in the last 4 overs. However, it is baffling to see him entering after the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravinchandran Ashwin. Even as a designated finisher, the 43-year-old must bat higher.</p>
<p>The star batter scored 30*(16) when the game was nearly out of CSK's hands. He should play similar cameos while batting higher in the order, which can help the team's cause. While it might not be ideal for him to bat in the middle overs, he can bat slightly higher and come somewhere around the 14th over to give himself a better chance.</p>

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their biggest defeat at home in the history of the IPL. CSK never witnessed such a massive loss at home in a long time, especially since the MA Chidambaram Stadium s

CSK might have to make a lot of changes to be a better version of themselves in the IPL 2025

Check out the five key changes CSK should make in IPL 2025 to get back on track and improve their performance this season, only on CricTracker.