IPL 2025: Shane Watson compares MS Dhoni's CSK with current team under Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) haven't had a desirable start to their IPL 2025 campaign so far. Having played four games, the team has managed to win only the one against Mumbai Indians (MI), while facing consecutive defeats against RCB, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals later.

Shane Watson, who has played for the franchise previously, spoke about CSK's unusual start to the IPL 2025. Speaking in the IPL 2025 Rivalry Week show, the former CSK batter claimed the 5-time champions usually went with a certain planned combination, which were locked in for the rest of the season. The cricketer-turned-commentator shared that when under MS Dhoni, the players were assigned their roles even before the tournament started. 

"During my time with the team, Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni were always very clear about each player's role even before the tournament began, and those roles rarely changed. But this time, with the kind of auction they had, there seemed to be a few gaps they’re still trying to address. It’s been a surprising start to the season for CSK. Usually, after every mega auction, CSK have always carefully planned and locked in their combinations—whether it’s the batting order or bowling options. So, to see quite a few adjustments within the first four games is very unlike them," Watson said via JioStar.

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The 2018 IPL winner felt the five-time champions fielded a better line-up against DC than those against MI, RCB, and RR. He agreed that the opening combination of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra was good, with Gaikwad coming after them at 3.

"In the last game, the team fielded a much more balanced line-up, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra opening the innings. That’s a more solid combination in my view, with Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in at number three. Previously, when Tripathi was opening, it left a few too many holes in the line-up overall," the World Cup-winning cricketer added.

"I’m confident that with the adjustments made in the previous game, and with a few matches together as a unit across different conditions, they’ll find their rhythm. Especially from a batting standpoint, having a strong top three or four can set the tone—whether they’re batting first or chasing—and that makes life much easier for the middle and lower order to capitalise on a good start," Watson concluded.