CSK are not happy starters this season. Going by the last two games and the batting in all three so far they look far from convincing. CSK are generally a side that doesn't do much tinkering and gives their ideas a long run. Is that the right way to go now though with things likely to get late on a strategy that does not seem to be working. Breaking it down, can they bring in Devon Conway? Is Ruturaj Gaikwad at three the right choice after so many good seasons as an opener? What about Rahul Tripathi who does not look convincing against pace? The line-up overall does not have much intent in it with players happy to tap it around as though it were still 2015.

The finishers too appear blunt. Ravindra Jadeja, a proper bat, clearly seems to be done with finishing and struggles to force the pace against spin. MS Dhoni, batting low down the order showed glimpses but how much does he have to offer down the order? With the ball though there are some bright spots. Khaleel and Noor Ahmed are saving the side well, Ravichandran Ashwin, poor in the powerplay so far, was tactically at his best later on plotting the downfall of a rampaging Nitish Rana. Ravindra Jadeja has been unlucky with catches put down off his bowling but Pathirana has come in well to strengthen CSK in the death.

The Delhi Capitals are definitely a more confident side coming in. They beat Chennai last season in a similar stage of the tournament. Mitchell Starc was at his best in the previous game and will be crucial once more with the new-ball. Faf Du Plessis knows Chennai well and Delhi will also know that their spinners are more than capable of making an impact of the track which will aid spin as the ball gets older.

CSK vs DC Match Details

Date: April 5th, 2025

Time:  3:30 PM IST

Venue: Chennai

CSK vs DC Weather Report

A dry and sweaty afternoon looks likely with the summer building up and temperatures rising in Chennai.

Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Pitch Report

Average Score Batting First in the last Season: 156

Average Score Batting Second in the last Season: 182

Wins Batting First in the last Five games: 2

Wins Batting Second in the last Five games: 3

A day game could see a very slow and sluggish pitch. Dew isn't likely to play a part and batting first could be a better way to start with the ball likely to group more as the game goes on.

See Also: CSK struggle to stay up to date in T20 Cricket

CSK vs DC Head to Head

Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals Playing XI

Jake Fraser McGurk, Faf Du Plessis, Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, Tristin Stubbs, Axar Patel, Vipraj, Nigam Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mohit Sharma

Impact Player: Sameer Rizvi

Chennai Super Kings Playing XI

Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi/ Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravinzdra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Jamie Overton/ Anshul Kamboj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmed

Impact Player: Matheesha Pathirana

Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Players to Watch

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin's comeback to CSK has not been so good. He has been poor in the powerplay and is doing decently in the middle-overs but not yet up to his mark. He has a lot to do if he is to earn respect again with his performances not looking very presentable at the moment.

Mitchell Starc

Starc has the CSK opening pair in his sites. They have looked susceptible to the new-ball with Rahul Tripathi in particular struggling and that is where DC will hope Starc can breakthrough and exploit the gaps in CSK's unit.

Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Match Tips

Delhi Capitals walk in favorites with CSK struggling to find intent and rhythm in the season so far.

Match Prediction: Delhi Capitals Will Win the Match