IPL 2025: Struggling CSK Face In-Form LSG in a Battle of Contrasting Fortunes

IPL 2025: Mentor vs Mentee as Struggling Captains Clash in LSG vs CSK Battle of Opposites

It’s a showdown of contrasts in IPL 2025 as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK)—two sides at opposite ends of the spectrum, led by captains battling their own struggles. In a twist of narrative, the mentor-mentee duo—MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant—now find themselves steering teams with drastically different trajectories.

While LSG have found momentum, riding high on a three-match winning streak, CSK are in free fall, suffering five consecutive losses—a first in the franchise’s storied history. The initial buzz around MS Dhoni’s return to captaincy has quickly fizzled out, especially after their demoralizing defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders at home just two nights ago.

LSG’s success has been fueled by flexibility and boldness. They’ve shuffled their batting order smartly and shown faith in lesser-known Indian players like Digvesh Rathi, who have stepped up under pressure. In stark contrast, CSK have remained stuck to a rigid, predictable game plan, showing little appetite for change even as the losses pile up.

With the pressure mounting, this clash isn’t just about points—it’s about pride, leadership, and revival. Will Pant’s adaptability continue to lift LSG, or can Dhoni’s experience inspire a CSK turnaround?

LSG’s Aggression vs CSK’s Inertia: A Tale of Two Powerplays

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have set the tone early in every game, playing with clear intent from the very first ball. Remarkably, they haven’t lost a single wicket in the powerplay for three consecutive matches, laying solid foundations for their middle order to capitalize on.

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are stuck in a rut, still searching for both momentum and stability at the top. Their opening combinations have failed to click, and the numbers tell a worrying story—not a single CSK batter features in the top 10 run-scorers of IPL 2025. Their highest run-getter, Rachin Ravindra, has managed just 149 runs in six matches. The last time a team failed to register a 150-run scorer at this point in the season was Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014.

As LSG thrive on powerplay dominance and bold intent, CSK’s conservative starts and misfiring top order continue to drag them down. The difference in approach couldn’t be starker.

IPL 2025: Power-Hitters vs Powerless – LSG’s Firepower Exposes CSK’s Batting Woes

The gulf between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025 couldn’t be clearer—especially with the bat. While LSG’s top order has been blazing, CSK’s has barely flickered.

Nicholas Pooran, batting at No. 3, has been a revelation, smashing 31 sixes—almost matching CSK’s entire team total of 32 sixes. Supported by Aiden Markram’s return to form and Mitchell Marsh’s aggressive intent, LSG have become one of the most dangerous batting units this season. They are striking at a phenomenal 10.3 runs per over in the powerplay, compared to CSK’s 7.5, which is the lowest powerplay scoring rate of the season.

The contrast goes even deeper. CSK’s overall strike rate is just 124.23, the worst among all teams. In their previous outing against Kolkata Knight Riders, their approach bordered on timid—they attempted to hit a boundary just 15 times in the entire innings, the fewest by any team since IPL 2023, according to ESPNcricinfo data. Across the season, only 38.3% of balls faced by CSK have been boundary attempts—again, the second-lowest this year.

To make matters worse, CSK have lost more wickets to spin than any other side, and LSG boast a formidable spin duo in rookie sensation Digvesh Rathi and a resurgent Ravi Bishnoi, who found his rhythm in their previous match.

With elimination looming and confidence at rock bottom, CSK must find a way out of their tactical rigidity and rediscover their spark—because Monday’s clash could very well determine the fate of their season.

PL 2025 – LSG vs CSK: Form Guide, Team News & Predicted Playing XI

🟩 Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

• Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): W W W L W

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK): L L L L L

The contrast in momentum couldn’t be sharper. LSG are on a roll, winning four of their last five games, while CSK are in a downward spiral, suffering five straight losses—their worst run in IPL history.

📋 Team News & Predicted XII

🔵 Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

• Update: Mitchell Marsh missed the last game due to personal reasons (his daughter’s health). If available, he is expected to return, replacing Himmat Singh. LSG played with just three overseas players in his absence.

• Spin Threat: Ravi Bishnoi has rediscovered form, and young left-arm spinner Digvesh Rathi continues to impress.

LSG (Probable XII):

1. Aiden Markram

2. Mitchell Marsh / Himmat Singh

3. Nicholas Pooran

4. Rishabh Pant (Captain & WK)

5. Ayush Badoni

6. David Miller

7. Abdul Samad

8. Shardul Thakur

9. Akash Deep

10. Ravi Bishnoi

11. Avesh Khan

12. Digvesh Rathi

🟡 Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

• Update: Matheesha Pathirana is expected to be available and could be used as the Impact Player, especially considering his strong match-up against Nicholas Pooran (4 dismissals in 5 innings, avg. 6.3).

• Tactical Shift: CSK had to bring in Deepak Hooda as a makeshift top-order option after a collapse against KKR, indicating their ongoing instability up top.

CSK (Probable XII):

1. Devon Conway

2. Rachin Ravindra

3. Rahul Tripathi

4. Vijay Shankar

5. Shivam Dube

6. Ravindra Jadeja

7. MS Dhoni (Captain & WK)

8. R Ashwin

9. Anshul Kamboj

10. Noor Ahmad

11. Khaleel Ahmed

12. Matheesha Pathirana

Key Match-up to Watch:

• Matheesha Pathirana vs Nicholas Pooran – A battle CSK will bank on, given Pathirana’s dominance over the LSG southpaw.

With LSG high on confidence and CSK desperate to stop the rot, this clash is set up as a defining moment in both teams’ campaigns.

In the Spotlight: Rishabh Pant and R. Ashwin – Key Figures Ahead of LSG vs CSK

🏏 Rishabh Pant (LSG)

Form Update: Rishabh Pant has struggled to find his rhythm in IPL 2025, amassing just 40 runs at a strike rate of 80 across four innings. His recent stint as an opener against Gujarat Titans was his first in T20s since 2016, but he could only manage 21 off 18 balls, getting out to Prasidh Krishna’s slower delivery. Though Pant’s recent form hasn’t raised alarm bells—thanks to the consistent contributions from his teammates—his struggle to get going could become a point of concern. As LSG gear up for a crucial clash against CSK, the big question remains: Can Pant find his gears and turn things around?

🏏 R. Ashwin (CSK)

Form Update: It hasn’t been a dream reunion for Ravichandran Ashwin with CSK after nearly a decade. While he has bowled his full quota in just three out of six matches, his impact has been inconsistent, with only five wickets to his name so far. His economy rate has been concerning, especially in the powerplay and death overs, where he has conceded at an alarming rate of 15 runs per over. However, Ashwin has a strong match-up against Pooran, having dismissed him three times in eight innings, maintaining a solid economy rate of 93.

While Ashwin’s struggles at the start and end of innings are evident, his role in the middle overs (where he concedes at a more manageable 7.7 runs per over) could prove crucial for CSK. With Noor Ahmad having taken the most wickets by a spinner in the middle overs this season (10), CSK may rely on Ashwin to provide control during this phase, despite his recent challenges.

As both players look to bounce back from rough patches, their performances could play pivotal roles in the outcome of this high-stakes clash.

Pitch and Conditions:

The Ekana Stadium provides a balanced track, where spinners are likely to have a significant impact due to the larger ground dimensions. The average score batting first so far in IPL 2025 has been 184, suggesting a challenging but achievable target. Teams chasing have won six out of the last 10 matches here since IPL 2024, indicating that chasing under lights might be the preferred option if the wicket remains consistent.

Stats and Trivia:

• LSG’s Powerplay Domination:
  LSG have set the tone early this season, scoring 60 or more in the powerplay in four of their six innings, proving their aggressive approach. Their run rate against spin (10) is the second-best in the tournament, showcasing their ability to attack the slower bowlers.
• Pooran’s Explosive Six-Hitting:
  Nicholas Pooran has been in blistering form, smashing 67 sixes—the most by any player since IPL 2024. His strike rate of 215 is the second-best among batters with 100+ runs this season, behind only Priyansh Arya. Pooran’s power hitting continues to make him one of the most dangerous players in T20 cricket.
• Noor Ahmad vs David Miller:
  Noor Ahmad has enjoyed a strong match-up against David Miller, dismissing him three times in six innings. Miller’s strike rate against the Afghan spinner stands at a low 54, adding extra pressure on him whenever they face off.

With the pitch likely to favour the spinners and players like Pooran in form, this contest between LSG’s aggressive intent and CSK’s struggling batting could prove to be a game-changing battle.

LSG’s Powerplay Economy and CSK’s Opportunity:

While LSG’s economy rate of 10.8 in the powerplay is the second-worst this season, it could present an opportunity for CSK to capitalize on their powerplay struggles. The early overs have been a weak spot for CSK, but with LSG’s powerplay bowling vulnerabilities, CSK might look to attack early and seize the momentum.

Khaleel Ahmed has been one of LSG’s more consistent powerplay bowlers, but his 66 dot balls are the second-most in the phase this season. While he can keep the pressure on, it also suggests that batters can capitalize on the scoring opportunities available once they find gaps and rotate the strike efficiently.

If CSK can counter LSG’s powerplay bowling and get through this phase unscathed, it may open the door for a stronger middle overs performance. The key for CSK will be to break through the early phase without losing wickets to Khaleel or other bowlers, allowing them to build a solid foundation for the rest of their innings.