Why is Matheesha Pathirana not playing CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match? Check CSK Playing 11

The wait is over as the El Clasico of IPL kicks off in the 18th edition of the league. As the two most successful teams in IPL history, the real thrill unfolds when Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings collide. The excitement was set early in IPL 2025, with the CSK vs MI match scheduled right at the cusp of the season at Chennai's den, Anbuden. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss at Chepauk and opted to bowl first against their arch-rivals, led this time by Suryakumar Yadav. However, in a shocking turn of events, CSK has not included their primary seamer, Matheesa Pathirana, in the Playing XI for the much-anticipated game. English all-rounder Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, and Khaleel Ahmed will form the pace attack for the 2023 champions.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲:
Rachin Ravindra ✈️
Sam Curran✈️
Nathan Ellis✈️
Noor Ahmed✈️#CSKvMI #WhistlePodu 🦁💛

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 23, 2025

Initial reports from the CSK camp suggest that Matheesa Pathirana was not fully fit to play the campaign opener at Chepauk. In a press interaction on the eve of the CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad spoke about the seamer. Gaikwad stated that having Pathirana in the Playing XI is always a boost for the side. However, his participation in the campaign opener would depend on how he feels before the match. Additionally, Gaikwad highlighted the pace options available for CSK in IPL 2025, with foreign picks like Sam Curran and Nathan Ellis.

"We had a good look at him in the practice game. He’s definitely looking in good shape, but what this year we’ve done in the auctions as well is we’ve got very good fast bowlers as backups. Even the Indian pacers. We have Mukesh, Khaleel, Anshul Kamboj has done really well in the domestic circuit. But it’s always good to have Pathirana in the team. Depending on how’s he feeling before the match, whether he’s 100%, we can talk a call," Gaikwad had said.

In the CSK vs MI match, Sam Curran, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Ellis, and Noor Ahmed are the four overseas players in the Playing XI. Rachin Ravindra edged past his Kiwi compatriot in the selection race to enter the CSK Playing XI as Gaikwad's opening partner. Meanwhile, Chennai's beloved Thala has donned his wicket-keeping gloves, much to the delight of millions of fans across the nation. Mumbai, on the other hand, have Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton as their openers, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team in Hardik Pandya’s absence.

CSK Playing XI for IPL 2025 campaign opener against MI

Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Ravi Ashwin, Noor Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed

Impact substitues: Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shaik Rasheed, Jamie Overton