Posted by Declan Venter
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The CSK squad entered the IPL 2025 season with a familiar energy, and so far, the team has kept fans on their toes. The biggest headline is Ruturaj Gaikwad—at just 22 years old, he’s no longer just a promising youngster. He’s grown into the role of opener, anchoring the innings and giving CSK both a steady start and explosive intent when it’s needed. Picked up by the franchise back in 2019, Gaikwad has finally found his scoring groove, clocking up solid scores in all five matches he’s played this season. Every time he walks out, he looks more confident, often outlasting big names at the other end and wearing down bowling attacks.
Some say those early partnerships are what keep CSK in so many games. He’s not just about boundaries—he rotates the strike, builds pressure on the fielding side, and doesn’t get flustered if wickets fall at the other end. He sets up the platform, allowing the middle order to finish strong. While the stats sheets don’t dive into the six or wicket tallies, anyone watching can tell Gaikwad is at the heart of this campaign and one of the best finds of the recent IPL seasons.
If there’s a season where every match matters, it’s this one. CSK found themselves in a tricky spot against Mumbai Indians on April 20, 2025. They batted first and put up a competitive 176 for 5 on the board. Plenty of teams would feel safe defending that total, but MI came back hard, chasing it down and finishing at 177 in 19 overs. Tight games like this are where you realize just how unpredictable T20 cricket can be—one over, one misfield, and the match swings.
But CSK bounced right back in matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They faced off not once, but twice in rapid succession—on April 17 and again on April 20. In both games, CSK held their nerve and picked up convincing wins. That’s not just a boost in points but a big confidence boost for the dressing room too. The wins over SRH kept the team right in the mix for playoff contention and proved that this squad can regroup after a disappointment and play clinical cricket under pressure.
Looking ahead, CSK’s schedule only gets tougher. The upcoming games against Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals could shape the rest of their season. The competition remains wide open, so every game is a chance for CSK to tighten their hold on a playoff spot. If their squad depth—a mix of experienced campaigners and young talent like Gaikwad—keeps working, they’ll keep pushing rivals right to the wire.