IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings win toss, opt to bowl against Lucknow Super Giants; Ashwin dropped from playing XI

ANI April 14, 2025 236 views

The Indian Premier League witnesses a high-stakes encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, with MS Dhoni returning to lead CSK after a challenging start to the season. Dhoni won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to turn around the team's fortunes after losing five out of six matches. Lucknow, led by Rishabh Pant, enters the match riding a wave of three consecutive victories and looking to maintain their top-of-the-table position. Both teams have made strategic changes to their playing XI, adding extra intrigue to this crucial match.

"We haven't been consistent with our batting. It's important to have a positive mindset." - MS Dhoni
Lucknow, April 14: Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl against Lucknow Super Giants in their match on Monday in the ongoing 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Key Points

1

Chennai desperate for victory after poor start to IPL season

2

Dhoni returns to captaincy after Gaikwad's injury

3

Rishabh Pant leads high-flying Lucknow Super Giants

4

Key changes in both team lineups

Lucknow is hunting its fourth consecutive victory on the trot and moving to the top of the table under the reign of skipper Rishabh Pant. On the other hand, Chennai is desperate for victory, considering their current situation. The Super Kings are at the bottom of the table with just one victory in six fixtures.

With Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the season, MS Dhoni has returned to take the captaincy role for the remaining fixtures. In his first game as CSK captain since 2023, things didn't pan out well for the five-time champions as they folded up on just 103/9 at Chepauk and suffered a comprehensive eight-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders.

After winning the toss, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni said they will bowl first.

"Well blessed, we get good support. Thank you to all the fans. We want to bowl first; there are chances of dew here. The wicket gets better. It's important to set the right temperament. We haven't been consistent with our batting. It's important to have a positive mindset, play those big shots. It's a matter of time. We have a couple of changes. Overton and Rasheed come in for Ashwin and Conway."

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant said they would have also liked to bowl first, "We would have bowled first. In Lucknow, it's slower in the first innings and gets better gradually. The only thing we talked about CSK is that we don't want to give them an opening; we just need to give our 100 per cent. We want to go out there and play good cricket. Only one change - Marsh comes back in for Himmat Singh."

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni(w/c), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana

Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Shivam Dube, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sam Curran, Deepak Hooda

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant(w/c), David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Digvesh Singh Rathi

Lucknow Super Giants Impact Subs: Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Thala Dhoni back as captain! 💛 This is what CSK needed. The team looks much more balanced now. Let's hope they can turn things around today. #WhistlePodu
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Priya M.
Interesting decision to drop Ashwin. He's been a bit expensive lately but his experience could have helped on this pitch. Hope Overton proves me wrong!
A
Arjun S.
LSG looking unstoppable this season! Pant's leadership has been phenomenal. That being said, never count CSK out - especially with Dhoni at the helm.
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Sanjana P.
The batting lineup still looks shaky to me. Where are the power hitters? CSK might struggle to put up a big total if they bat second. Hope I'm wrong though!
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Vikram J.
That LSG middle order with Pooran, Pant and Miller is absolutely terrifying! 🔥 CSK bowlers will have their work cut out for them tonight.
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Neha R.
Respectfully disagree with the bowling first decision. CSK's strength has always been setting targets. But Dhoni knows best - let's see how this plays out!

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Tags:
IPL 2025 MS Dhoni Rishabh Pant Chennai Super Kings Lucknow Super Giants Cricket
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