Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Broadcast: JioStar Network & JioHotstar
Match Preview
The 43rd clash of IPL 2025 features a showdown between two out-of-form sides as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) welcome Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to their fortress in Chennai. Both franchises have endured tough seasons and currently occupy the bottom two spots on the league table, with little hope of making the playoffs.
For CSK, led by the iconic MS Dhoni, the campaign has been one to forget. Just two wins from eight games, a stinging recent loss to Mumbai Indians, and a troubling -1.392 Net Run Rate have all but ended their playoff dreams.
SRH’s season has been equally dismal. Last year’s finalists have failed to find momentum, also registering just two wins in eight outings. Their inconsistency with the bat and ball has left fans disappointed, and with playoff hopes almost extinguished, this fixture is more about restoring pride than climbing the standings.
Head-to-Head: CSK vs SRH
- Total Matches Played: 22
- CSK Wins: 16
- SRH Wins: 6
- Last Meeting: April 28, 2024
- First Meeting: April 25, 2013
Pitch & Conditions – What to Expect at Chepauk
The Chepauk pitch continues to favour spinners, especially as the match progresses and the surface slows down. A total in excess of 160 could prove competitive, with dew potentially influencing the second innings. Expect spinners from both sides to play key roles.
Predicted XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Ayush Mhatre, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Impact Player: Anshul Kamboj
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga
Impact Player: Abhinav Manohar
Players to Watch
Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) – The South African gloveman has been SRH’s lone bright spark with 281 runs in eight games. If SRH are to finish strong, Klaasen’s form is crucial.
Noor Ahmad (CSK) – The left-arm spinner has been a consistent wicket-taker this season, with 12 scalps in eight matches. On a spin-friendly track, he could prove the game-changer.
Match Prediction
Both teams are evenly matched in terms of current form, but CSK’s experience at home and their record against SRH (16 wins in 22 games) gives them a slight edge. That said, expect a scrappy contest between two sides with nothing to lose.
Prediction: Chennai Super Kings to win a close encounter.