Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

The 25th match of IPL 2025 already feels do-or-die for the struggling Chennai Super Kings (CSK). To break a four-game losing streak, CSK will have to beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who themselves need a win after a tight loss against Lucknow Super Giants.

So, it’s safe to say this is a very important clash.

CSK have struggled in every facet this season. With the bat, powerplay intent and quality finishing has been non-existent. In another blow, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is out of the tournament after fracturing his elbow. On the bowling front, they have had good moments, but are unable to maintain the intensity for the full 20 overs. A key reason for this is their woeful fielding, with numerous drops – including five against Punjab Kings – costing them dearly.

KKR are looking for consistency. They have embarked on a win-loss pattern so far, and if that continues, they will win this game. Ajinkya Rahane’s team were favourites to chase LSG’s 239 at the halfway mark, but lost their way in terms of execution and tactics, arguably missing a trick by not sending either Rinku Singh or Andre Russell earlier.

CSK face a conundrum. If it’s a turning Chepauk track, KKR have the spinners to take advantage. If it’s a true batting track, CSK lack the firepower currently compared to their opponents.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIIs, Chepauk pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 prediction for the 25th match of IPL 2025.

IPL 2025 25th Match: CSK vs KKR Possible Playing XIIs

Ruturaj Gaikwad is out of the tournament due to injury. At number three, CSK could bring in Rahul Tripathi or give a chance to the highly-rated Shaik Rasheed. MS Dhoni will captain the team.

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

KKR, despite losing three of their five games, look more settled. They may look to bring in Anrich Nortje or Moeen Ali in place of Spencer Johnson.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Quinton de Kock (OS, wk), 2. Sunil Narine (OS), 3. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5. Venkatesh Iyer, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Andre Russell (OS), 8. Ramandeep Singh, 9. Harshit Rana, 10. Vaibhav Arora, 11. Spencer Johnson/Anrich Nortje (OS), 12. Varun Chakravarthy

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

The Chepauk surfaces have been on the slower side, offering assistance to spinners and pace bowlers who execute their cutters well. Despite that, RCB (196/7) and DC (183/6) were able to get above-par totals and defend them very comfortably against CSK.

So, KKR may look to do the same if they win the toss. Another very warm and humid evening is forecast with temperatures above 30 degrees by the time the match starts.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Devon Conway struggled for his best form in the last game, but he still fetched good points from a fantasy perspective. In eight T20s at Chepauk, Conway has scored 390 runs at an average of 65.00 and strike rate of 133.11.

Key batter picks:

• Ajinkya Rahane is in fine form. The skipper is KKR’s leading run-scorer so far with 184 at an average of 36.80 and strike rate of 160.
• But, there are a few things to consider before placing the C/VC on Rahane in Dream11. R Ashwin has dismissed him six times in 48 balls in the IPL. Also, Rahane averages just 15.69 in 16 T20 innings at Chepauk.
• Rachin Ravindra will be key in the absence of Gaikwad. He is currently CSK’s leading run-scorer this season with 145 (avg. 36.25, SR 133.02).

Top all-rounder picks:

• Ravindra Jadeja is not having his best season, but he does have great all-round numbers against KKR: 312 runs, avg. 44.57, SR 143.12 plus 22 wickets at an economy of 7.44.
• Sunil Narine averages just 11.18 with the bat against CSK, but has an incredible record against R Ashwin: 39 balls, 94 runs, one wicket. Narine also has 24 wickets at an economy of 6.23 against CSK.
• Andre Russell hasn’t been bowling as much, but he has still been in the wickets. Also, since the start of 2014, Russell has smashed 365 runs vs CSK at an average of 40.56 and strike rate of 172.99.

Key bowler picks:

• Varun Chakravarthy can be a big factor at Chepauk. He has taken eight wickets at a strike rate of 19.50 on this ground so far.
• Khaleel Ahmed against the KKR openers will be a key battle. Since the start of 2024, Quinton de Kock has been dismissed 13 times by left-arm seam in all T20s (avg. 22.7). Khaleel has dismissed Sunil Narine twice in 18 balls in the IPL (27 runs).
• Noor Ahmad is currently the top wicket-taker in IPL 2025. He has taken eight wickets in three matches at Chepauk this season.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Quinton de Kock has made one score of 97* and nothing else so far in IPL 2025. However, he has the quality to fire if he can get through the powerplay.
• Shivam Dube has not fired yet in this tournament, but he showed glimpses of what he is capable of in the last game vs PBKS (42). He has scored 53 runs off 29 balls against Chakravarthy in the IPL (one wicket).
• Matheesha Pathirana had a tough outing vs PBKS, but he is always worth considering for fantasy cricket as he bowls in the crunch overs. He has dismissed Andre Russell once in three balls.
• R Ashwin has good head-to-head numbers against Quinton de Kock and Anjinkya Rahane.
• Venkatesh Iyer has struck 60 and 45 in his past two games. He averages just 19.33 in six matches vs CSK, but he is in form.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 32, CSK 20, KKR 11.
• CSK lead KKR 8-3 in meetings at Chepauk.
• Andre Russell (bowling) vs Ravindra Jadeja (batting) in the IPL: 31 balls, 48 runs, no wickets.
• Ravindra Jadeja (bowling) vs Andre Russell (batting) in the IPL: 29 balls, 48 runs, no wickets.
• Sunil Narine vs Shivam Dube in the IPL: 28 balls, 28 runs, no wickets.
• R Ashwin vs Quinton de Kock in the IPL: 75 balls, 84 runs, four wickets.

IPL 2025 25th Match: CSK vs KKR 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 25th Match: CSK vs KKR Match Prediction – Who will win?

CSK will be desperate, but KKR should prevail and win this match.