IPL 2025: Best XI that can defeat Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the greatest T20 teams across all cricket leagues. Along with Mumbai Indians, CSK have the joint most number of IPL titles (5). Along with it, they also have the most number of Champions League titles (2), tied with Mumbai Indians. Some of the greatest T20 cricketers like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, and others have played for the franchise.

For the IPL 2025, CSK has one of the best squads and start the tournament as one of the favourites to win. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK will hope to win their record sixth title. To beat a team like CSK takes the effort of individual brilliance and a tactical team work. From the 2025 set of IPL players, there are some players who are capable of making a team to beat CSK.

Best IPL XI which can beat CSK in 2025

Top Order - Sunil Narine, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson

The best opening combination possible for this team would be Sunil Narine and Abhishek Sharma. Narine had a dream IPL season in 2024 where he finished as the MVP with an impressive point's tally of 450, the most for a player in a single edition of an IPL. He was aggressive as an opener and was the second-best bowler in 2024, behind Jasprit Bumrah.

To partner alongside him as an opener would be Abhishek Sharma, who had a brilliant season with SRH in 2024. In his previous bilateral series, Abhishek gave sensational performances against England, including a swashbuckling century. At number 3, Sanju Samson is essential for the side. There aren't many better batters who can bat at a good strike rate in the middle overs phase.

Middle Order - Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), and Hardik Pandya (C)

In the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav will hold the fort at number 4. In the last year or so, the star batter hasn't had the best of times. However, one cannot discredit his calibre, given his performances in the past, and the ability to take on the bowlers in the middle overs phase. To follow him at number 5 would be Heinrich Klaasen, who is arguably the best T20 batter in the last few years.

Klaasen has done well in almost all T20 leagues, bilateral series, and ICC tournaments he has played since 2022. He would also keep wickets for this side. At number 6 would be hard-hitter Hardik Pandya, who would also be the skipper of the side. Hardik won the IPL 2022 as the skipper. With his all-round abilities, Pandya will be crucial for the balance of the team.

Also Read: Match 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Match Preview, IPL 2025

Lower Middle Order - Andre Russell and Axar Patel

In the lower middle order, the team will have two All-rounders like Andre Russell and Axar Patel. Russell is arguably the greatest finisher in the history of the IPL. Along with it, he is a very good bowler. Russell can claim wickets in any phase and be impactful for his side. He is arguably the greatest all-rounder in the history of the league.

For spinning conditions of Chennai, Axar Patel will be necessary. At number 8, his batting will be more than handy, which can allow the batters to go bonkers from their end. His bowling can prove to be vital both in Chennai and outside of it. In Chepauk, Patel could be a wicket taking option, while he could be economical on flat surfaces.

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Varun Chakravarthy (Impact), Yuzuvendra Chahal, and Jasprit Bumrah

For the Powerplay overs, the best choice would be Trent Boult, who can take a heap of wickets with the new ball. He could operate 3 overs from his end and return to bowl on over later in the match. Jasprit Bumrah would share the new ball along with him and operate at the death as well. In the end phase of the Powerplay overs, the team has a mystery option.

Varun Chakravarthy would operate in the phase. He would be the wicket-taking option in the end-PP and the middle overs phase. To partner him from the other end would be Yuzvendra Chahal, who could be equally effective in the middle overs phase. The team would have Narine as another bowler, which would make the life of the batters only difficult.

Best IPL XI that can defeat CSK in 2025

Sunil Narine, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Hardik Pandya (C), Andre Russell, Axar Patel, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy (Impact Substitute)