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In a special prelude to Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh visited the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as part of the Chennai Superstar Programme. The event, organized by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), featured a memorable interaction between Gukesh and former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin. The moment highlighted Chennai’s rich sporting culture, bringing together two of the city’s greatest modern-day athletes.
D Gukesh and Ravichandran Ashwin’s special meeting at Chepauk
The teaser released by CSK showcased Gukesh’s arrival at the stadium, where he was welcomed by Ashwin. The veteran off-spinner presented the young chess prodigy with a custom CSK jersey featuring the number 18 and his name on the back. In a moment that symbolized the fusion of cricket and chess, Ashwin then invited Gukesh to a quick game on a chessboard. Both sporting stars signed the board, adding a touch of history to the interaction. The video, which is set to be released soon, was captioned by CSK’s social media handle:
“World champion of chess! A Chennai paiyan at heart! A sparring with Ashwin! Introducing Chennai Superstars! Get set to meet Gukesh and his love for the city! Coming Soon,” the post reads.
Here’s the video:
World champion of chess! ♟️
A Chennai paiyan at heart! 💛
A sparring with Ashwin! 🦁🤝Introducing Chennai Superstars! Get set to meet Gukesh and his love for the city!🥳🤝
Coming Soon! 📹🔜#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/bwVRm4zSDn
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 21, 2025
Also READ: IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad comes up a surprising answer when asked about the youngest CSK player to watch out for
Ashwin’s emotional return to CSK after nine years
While Gukesh continues to soar in chess, Ashwin is set for a grand homecoming in IPL 2025, as CSK bought him for INR 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The seasoned off-spinner, who played for CSK from 2009 to 2015, will once again don the yellow jersey. Having represented teams like Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in recent years, Ashwin is expected to play a crucial role in CSK’s spin department alongside Ravindra Jadeja.
CSK will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23 at Chepauk Ashwin, who has taken 180 wickets in 212 IPL matches at an economy rate of 7.12, remains a key asset. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to bowl in powerplays could make him a vital cog in CSK’s strategy against MI’s explosive batting lineup. While CSK’s team management is yet to confirm the final XI, Ashwin’s presence could be a game-changer in the high-stakes opener. As CSK gears up under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the franchise will be eager to start the season on a winning note.
