IPL 2025: Why is Faf du Plessis not playing in CSK vs DC Match 17?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are hosting Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Match No. 17 of IPL 2025 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk for the first game on Saturday, April 05. An overcast weather saw the toss take place at the iconic venue, where both the captains exchanged their respective team sheets ahead of the thrilling contest.

Toss update

It was expected that Ruturaj Gaikwad will be ruled out of the game due to an elbow injury and MS Dhoni will captain instead. However, the mainstay skipper returned to fitness ahead of the game, and flipped the coin in the air opposite Axar Patel. The DC captain called it correctly, and opted to take batting first on a cloudy evening at Chepauk. It had rained earlier in the morning in Chennai, and thus, it is expected that the overcast weather might come in to play.

Chennai field Devon Conway; Faf du Plessis unfit for Delhi

At the toss, Axar confirmed that their ace batter Faf du Plessis isn’t fully fit to take the field, as a result of which, they brought in the services of Sameer Rizvi. Chennai, on the other hand, also made a couple of changes to their playing combination, with Devon Conway making his maiden appearance of the season and Mukesh Choudhary coming in for Rahul Tripathi. Jamie Overton will also not take the field, as Conway fills the four overseas options.

What did the captains say?

Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain

We were looking to bat as well. Looks a bit dry. It’s a bit cloudy, won’t change much. You always want momentum in T20 cricket. Overall, the chat has been positive. Fielding is something which we can improve day by day. We want to be proactive. Elbow is good. Conway comes in for Overton. Mukesh comes in for Rahul Tripathi.

Axar Patel, DC captain

We are going to bat first. Feels like there’ll be help for the bowlers. Expect it to get slower as the game progresses. In our team, we have a few players who have captained other franchises and that helps me a lot. Same combination. Faf is not fit for this game, Sameer Rizvi is playing.