Credit: CSK
MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin were seen together as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have begun their preparations for IPL 2025. Ashwin was a key player for CSK from 2010 to 2015 season. In Chennai’s second-title victory in 2011, Ashwin played an instrumental role with the ball. The off-break bowler bagged 20 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 6.15 and ended up as CSK’s leading wicket-taker in the competition. After the 2015 season, CSK faced a two-year ban due to their involvement in fixing and betting. In 2018, when Chennai returned to the league, they retained some of their old players, but Ashwin wasn’t on the list.
In the IPL mega auction 2025 held in Jeddah, Chennai brought their old stalwart back in the squad after splurging INR 9.75 Crore. Ashwin’s comeback will also mark the return of the spin-bowling duo of Ravindra Jadeja and the 38-year-old. The pair of both spinners won a lot of games for Chennai from 2012 to 2015. Both bowlers grew in CSK under Dhoni’s magnificent leadership. Taking to X, CSK posted a video on February 27. The clip showed both Dhoni and Ashwin heading towards the ground in CSK’s practise jersey. Captioning the video, Chennai wrote, “We go way back #WhistlePodu #Yellove.”
Watch the video here:
Chennai will play their opening clash against their arch-rivals MI on March 23
Chennai will start their IPL 2025 campaign on March 23 against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chennai have been dominant against the Men in Blue for the last two seasons, emerging victorious in all three appearances. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the leader of the pack, will look to be impactful with captaincy as he failed to take the Yellow Army to the playoffs in the previous season.
Dhoni, who will be playing his 18th IPL season, will be vital for Chennai as his guidance will be crucial for Gaikwad. Back in 2023, Dhoni relinquished CSK’s captaincy after guiding the team to their fifth-trophy win with a five-wicket triumph against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final of IPL 2023 played in Ahmedabad.
