With Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 just around the corner, excitement among fans is at peak. Meanwhile, five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could face a major hurdle at the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Two of their star players might miss the initial weeks of IPL 2025 tournament.
Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set to take place in India from March 14 to May 25. A familiar challenge for teams is the delayed availability of foreign players due to international commitments, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be among the teams affected.
New Zealand stars Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are expected to miss CSK's opening weeks due to their national team's tour of Pakistan.
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Following the ICC Champions Trophy, New Zealand is scheduled to play a series of five T20Is and three ODIs in Pakistan from March 16 to April 5, which overlaps with the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This scheduling conflict might delay their arrival, potentially disrupting CSK's plans.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) isn't the only team likely to feel the impact of New Zealand's international commitments.
Other IPL franchises with New Zealand players such as Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Lockie Ferguson, and Bevan Jacobs might also face challenges, as these players are expected to join the IPL only after completing the series. This could influence team strategies in the opening weeks of IPL 2025 tournament.
CSK at IPL 2025 Auction
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) approached IPL 2025 Auction with a clear strategy, focusing on strengthening their core by bringing back familiar faces. They secured Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, while also making big investments in local favorite R Ashwin and promising young spinner Noor Ahmad.
Though CSK’s squad lack flashy 'X-factor' players, their spin department is now among the strongest in IPL, boasting trio of R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, and Ravindra Jadeja. To complement this, they have added batters known for their proficiency against spin, ensuring dominance in middle overs.
CSK's biggest weakness could be their relatively shallow pool of Indian fast bowlers.