Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who are coming off two consecutive defeats, face the unbeaten Delhi Capitals (DC) in the important 17th match of IPL 2025. CSK currently sit in eighth place on the table, and while it is still early days, they wouldn’t want to fall too far behind the pack.

The priorities for CSK are team balance and getting the best out of their top players. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin are yet to fire, while Shivam Dube has shown glimpses. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra have been CSK’s key run-scorers, but it’s time others step up.

With the ball, CSK have been steady, with Noor Ahmad and Khaleel Ahmed the two big positives. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team need a team effort with the ball as DC have started the season very well.

After pulling off a heist against Lucknow Super Giants, DC thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a clinical display last weekend. The victory was set up by Mitchell Starc up top, and if he can have a similar impact here, CSK’s fragile middle order will be exposed.

With the bat, Faf du Plessis proves that age is just a number, while Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs and even KL Rahul looked good. With the likes of Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma as finishers, a strong platform will put CSK under pressure at the death.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIIs, Chepauk pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for the 17th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 17th Match: CSK vs DC Possible Playing XIIs

CSK could look to bring Devon Conway into the team. However, Jamie Overton provides CSK with a power-hitting option in the middle, so they face a tricky decision.

Rahul Tripathi has struggled so far this season and could be dropped. However, Gaikwad is under an injury cloud after picking up an elbow injury against the Royals. If Gaikwad is out, MS Dhoni could captain the team.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad/Rahul Tripathi, 2. Devon Conway (OS), 3. Rachin Ravindra (OS), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Vijay Shankar, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. MS Dhoni (wk), 8. R Ashwin/Anshul Kamboj, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. Matheesha Pathirana (OS), 12. Shaik Rasheed/Deepak Hooda (impact)

DC look settled. They could stick with the same team that beat SRH.

Delhi Capitals: 1. Jake Fraser-McGurk (OS), 2. Faf du Plessis (OS), 3. Abishek Porel, 4. KL Rahul (wk), 5. Tristan Stubbs (OS), 6. Axar Patel (c), 7. Vipraj Nigam, 8. Mitchell Starc (OS), 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Mohit Sharma, 11. Mukesh Kumar, 12. Ashutosh Sharma (impact)

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

A hot and humid afternoon is forecast in this match, which could make batting first a worthwhile option. Spin and cutters played an important role in both games at Chepauk so far, and could do so here again. A score around 180-190 could be a winning one with no dew factor.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for CSK vs DC: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• KL Rahul has a fine record against CSK: 14 inns, 553 runs, avg. 42.54, SR 141.79.

Key batter picks:

• In all T20s since the start of 2024, Faf du Plessis has scored 1,867 runs at an average of 34.6 and strike rate of 153.5. He scored 50 (27) in his most recent innings vs SRH.
• In five matches against CSK, du Plessis has scored 197 runs at an average of 39.40 and strike rate of 156.35. In his head-to-head matchup against Jadeja in the IPL, du Plessis has scored 46 runs off 26 balls without dismissal.
• If fit, Ruturaj Gaikwad is a must-pick in Dream11. He is CSK’s leading run-scorer this season (116). Gaikwad is also seeking to build on his record vs DC: 8 inns, 238 runs, avg. 29.75, SR 129.35.
• Rachin Ravindra has been one of CSK’s best this season. He has made scores of 65* and 41 at Chepauk in IPL 2025.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Axar Patel is yet to take a wicket in this tournament, but he has a good record at Chepauk (5 matches, 8 wickets, avg. 18.88, SR 14.25). Also, he could get an opportunity to bat, especially if DC bat first.
• Ravindra Jadeja is also searching for his best form. But, he has a good record against DC, with 250 runs (avg. 35.71, SR 148.81) and 18 wickets (econ. 7.70) against them.

Key bowler picks:

• Noor Ahmad is currently the top wicket-taker in IPL 2025 (9). He has taken seven wickets in two matches at Chepauk this season.
• Mitchell Starc is in wicket-taking form and could be a factor against CSK’s shaky middle-lower order. He may even find some reverse swing at the backend of the innings in this day game.
• Kuldeep Yadav has taken just three wickets in eight games against CSK. But, the spinner is in fine form with five wickets in two matches so far this season.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Khaleel Ahmed has picked up six wickets in three matches so far in IPL 2025. He will be sure to test Jake Fraser-McGurk especially.
• Abishek Porel looked in good touch in the last game and bats in the top order.
• Shivam Dube is CSK’s important spin-hitter. He has looked threatening without making a score yet in this tournament.
• Matheesha Pathirana bowls plenty of overs at the death, which brings wicket-taking opportunities. In fact, Pathirana has taken eight wickets in three games against DC.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 30, CSK 19, DC 11.
• CSK lead 7-2 against DC at Chepauk.
• Khaleel Ahmed vs KL Rahul in the IPL: 32 balls, 39 runs, one wicket.
• Khaleel Ahmed vs Faf du Plessis in the IPL: 51 balls, 68 runs, one wicket.
• R Ashwin vs Faf du Plessis in all T20s: 85 balls, 94 runs, three wickets.
• Kuldeep Yadav vs Ruturaj Gaikwad in the IPL: 15 balls, 31 runs, no dismissals.

IPL 2025 17th Match: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 17th Match: CSK vs DC Match Prediction – Who will win?

DC are in form but CSK have the head-to-head record against them. These factors make this game a tricky pitch. At home, we’ll back CSK to get back to winning ways.