IPL 2025: Why is Ravichandran Ashwin not in playing XI in GT vs CSK Match 67?

Ravichandran Ashwin is not part of the playing XI for the clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 67 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. GT have already qualified for the playoffs and will look to secure a win in front of their home crowd to finish at the top of the points table. On the other hand, CSK have been eliminated from the tournament and currently sit at the bottom of the table. They will aim to end their campaign on a positive note.

Toss Update

CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat first while stating that the pitch looked nice and hard. He also mentioned that the body needs maintenance and hinted at the physical toll of the season. GT captain Shubman Gill expressed his excitement about leading the Indian team in Tests and acknowledged that the surface is a good wicket to bat on.

Hooda comes in for Ashwin; Coetzee replaces Rabada in the playing XI for GT

CSK made one change to their playing XI by bringing in Deepak Hooda in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Meanwhile, GT included Gerald Coetzee while replacing Kagiso Rabada.

What did the captains say?

MS Dhoni, CSK skipper

We will bat first. It (pitch) looks nice and hard, think it will remain the same throughout the 40 overs. It's quite hot, looks like a good track. It's (his body) surviving. Every year is a new challenge. It needs a lot of maintainance. Didn't trouble me enough when I was playing international cricket. Chennai is very nice after 3.30-4pm, this is different heat, on the drier side. We are last in the table, we will still remain last, if win or lose. Need to enjoy our cricket. We have one change. Hooda is back for Ashwin. They are a good side, they play authentic cricket. Need to bowl tight lines, otherwise the batters will punish you.

Shubman Gill, GT skipper

Feels exciting to have that (Test captaincy) challenge, it's going to be an exciting series against England for us. In the last match we were in the game till the 16th or 17th over. We were looking to bowl first today anyway. Looks a good wicket to bat on, it won't change much. We have one change, Gerald Coetzee comes in for Kagiso Rabada.

Playing 11s

Chennai Super Kings

Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, MS Dhoni(w/c), Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.

Impact Subs: Matheesha Pathirana, Vijay Shankar, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravichandran Ashwin

Gujarat Titans

Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Gerald Coetzee, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna.

Impact Subs: Sai Sudharsan, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma