LSG vs CSK, IPL 2025: Ravichandran Ashwin Dropped in Bold Tactical Move by Chennai Super Kings
In a surprising turn of events, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made the bold decision to drop veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from their playing XI for the first time this season during their IPL 2025 encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday. This move comes as CSK, led by the iconic MS Dhoni, grapples with a dismal run of form, having lost their last five matches.
At the toss, Dhoni revealed the strategic reshuffle, introducing England’s pace-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton and young batter Shaik Rasheed into the lineup, replacing Ashwin and opener Devon Conway. The decision to sideline Ashwin, a stalwart with over 500 Test wickets and a key figure in CSK’s past IPL triumphs, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.
Ashwin’s exclusion appears to stem from his underwhelming performance in the ongoing season. Having played in all six of CSK’s matches so far, the 38-year-old spinner has managed only five wickets at a costly economy rate of 9.90 runs per over. With the team desperate to turn their fortunes around, CSK’s think tank opted for a pace-heavy approach on a pitch known to assist seamers, especially under lights with dew expected to play a role.
Speaking at the toss, Dhoni elaborated on the tactical shift: “We’ve decided to bowl first as there’s a chance of dew later. The wicket tends to get better in the second innings here. We’ve made a couple of changes—Overton and Rasheed come in for Ashwin and Conway. It’s crucial to have the right mindset and play with intent.” Notably, Ashwin was not even named among the impact substitutes, signaling a clear intent to prioritize pace and fresh energy.
Overton, known for his fiery bowling and handy lower-order batting, is expected to add depth to CSK’s attack alongside the likes of Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed. Meanwhile, Rasheed, a promising talent from Andhra Pradesh who impressed in domestic circuits, gets a chance to prove his mettle at the top of the order.
On the other side, Lucknow Super Giants, captained by Rishabh Pant, made a solitary change to their lineup, bringing back Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in place of Himmat Singh. Pant, echoing Dhoni’s sentiments, noted the pitch conditions: “We would have bowled first as well. In Lucknow, it starts slow and gets better later. Against a team like CSK, we can’t afford to give them an opening.”
CSK’s decision to bench a player of Ashwin’s caliber underscores the pressure on the five-time IPL champions to arrest their slide. With the team languishing near the bottom of the points table, this tactical recalibration could either be a masterstroke or a gamble that backfires. Ashwin, who has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket and holds the record for the second-most wickets by an Indian bowler in Test cricket (516 wickets), will undoubtedly be eager to make a comeback and prove his worth.
As the match unfolds under the floodlights of Ekana Stadium, all eyes will be on whether CSK’s new-look XI can outmaneuver LSG, who have shown flashes of brilliance this season with their balanced squad featuring stars like Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram.
Playing XIs:
Lucknow Super Giants: 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
Chennai Super Kings: Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni (w/c), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis as this high-stakes clash promises to deliver drama and excitement in equal measure.