Deshpande replaced right-arm fast bowler Avesh Khan in the line-up.
Rayudu emphasised that while CSK is enduring one of its toughest phases, it could serve as a much-needed reality check and an opportunity to rebuild for the future.
Ruturaj Gaikwad played a match-winning innings, but don't forget Shivam Dube, Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's entertaining cameos.
Ravindra Jadeja's superb all-rounder show powered Chennai Super Kings to a thumping 28-run victory against Punjab Kings.
With SRH qualifying with just a point, the CSK vs RCB game has become a knockout match.
A look at the best bowling performances in the CSK vs RCB match.
"Just being compared, I saw it as a huge privilege": South Africa's Dewald Brevis embraces 'Baby AB' legacy
Did you enjoy Maheesh Patheerana's fiery yorkers?
Dhoni returns to the hallowed turf of Wankhede for the first time as non-captain of CSK, potentially in his last IPL season. It will also be his first appearance just as a player for any team since November 2005.
Smarting from back-to-back defeats, defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face a formidable but bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in Chennai on Sunday.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had said earlier this month he will decide on his IPL future after working hard for 6-8 months.
Rachin Ravindra was thrilled after being bought by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 1.80 crore
K L Rahul's diving catch was one of the highlights of LSG's fine showing against CSK.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's three best performing players in all the 17 IPLs (2008-2024).
Aiden Markram stroked a half-century to steer Sunrisers Hyderabad to a comfortable six-wicket victory against Chennai Super Kings.
Brendon McCullum spoke on his 158* knock for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the opener of the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008
Fan-favourite and team skipper MS Dhoni's arrival is yet to be confirmed.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday
With defending champions Chennai Super Kings slated to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL season-opener this year, former batter Abhinav Mukund feels Chepauk is 'no longer a fortress' for the five-time winners.
Ravichandran Ashwin found himself hilariously enforcing that rule on-air - shushing a co-host mid-sentence as talk of Mahendra Singh Dhoni crept into the conversation.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Rishabh Pant? Whose knock did you enjoy most?
The South African's blistering 52 off 25 balls not only augurs well for him personally but for the franchise who are aiming to build a team from scratch for the next season.
CSK can ill-afford to take Punjab Kings lightly, who are coming in to this match after chasing down a world record total of 262 against KKR.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is enjoying another profitable season with the bat, stroking 270 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 147 with two fifties
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan said he is 'very, very hopeful' of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni participating in IPL 2025 as a player.
A spirited performance from their bowlers saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclass Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to qualify for the play-offs.
Matheesha Pathirana's stunning diving catch to dismiss David Warner had everyone stand up and take notice.
Despite being hit by the absence of key bowlers due to injuries as well as international commitments, Chennai Super Kings will still like to display their on-field ruthlessness while taking on wooden spooners Gujarat Titans in a 12th round IPL encounter in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Dayal held his nerve when it mattered most, conceding only three runs off the last three balls to secure RCB's first-ever double over CSK in IPL history.
Two weeks ahead of the upcoming IPL, defending champions Chennai Super Kings were left to fret over another injury concern as pacer Matheesha Pathirana has suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain on his left leg.
M S Dhoni, known for his sharp judgment and high success rate with DRS, missed it completely. To CSK's dismay, ball-tracking showed there was no inside edge and the ball would have smashed into the leg-stump.
MS Dhoni steps aside, handing the Chennai Super Kings captaincy reins to young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad
This will also mark Dhoni's first match as skipper since leading CSK to their record-equalling fifth title in 2023.
A look at the best catches of the match.
Mustafizur-less CSK face unpredictable Sunrisers Hyderabad
With this victory, CSK finished last with four victories and 10 losses, giving them eight points. On the other hand, GT ended the campaign with a loss, which could hamper their top two chances, with nine wins and five losses, giving them 18 points.
Chahal is now the first player in IPL history to take a hat-trick against CSK.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play the 400th T20 match of his career during CSK's IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Friday.
