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WATCH: Ravichandran Ashwin plays chess with World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju before start of IPL 2025

At the Chepauk Stadium, talented chess player Gukesh Dommaraju met cricket superstar Ravichandran Ashwin where he shared some moments, later Ravichandran Ashwin gifted CSK jersey to him.

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Varun Sarwate
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: Ravichandran Ashwin plays chess with World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju

Ravichandran Ashwin plays chess with World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju (Photograph: X)

At Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ravichandran Ashwin and Gukesh Dommaraju shared some good moments as he was invited by CSK. Ravichandran Ashwin was excited to meet Gukesh, the youngest global chess champion. After shaking Gukesh's hand, Ashwin gave him a CSK jersey with "Gukesh" printed on the back. Ashwin signed the chessboard after which the two played a game of chess. Following his encounter with the renowned Indian off-spinner, Gukesh, then eighteen, was overjoyed.

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Ravichandran Ashwin is back with Chennai Super Kings after 2015. Apart from serving a two-year suspension with the franchise, Ashwin also played for the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals after his suspension with Rising Pune Supergiants. As IPL 2025 is starting, Ashwin is with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) again forming an old pair of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and himself. 

Chennai Super Kings posted a video footage on their social media along with a caption, "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!"

Watch the video here:

Gukesh made history in 2024 by becoming the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship, following the great Viswanathan Anand. In an exciting title fight in Singapore, Gukesh defeated Ding Liren of China. Gukesh achieved a career-high No. 3 in the FIDE classical ratings earlier this year. President Droupadi Murmu presented Gukesh with the esteemed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in January.

Ravichandran Ashwin back with CSK

In the IPL, Ashwin has claimed 180 wickets at an economy rate of 7.12 in 212 games. Ashwin has played for Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rising Pune Supergiants. It is unclear if Ashwin will be in CSK's starting lineup for Sunday's game against Mumbai Indians in Chepauk. He will likely make it into the squad as Chepauk is known for spin-friendly conditions. For the game against arch-rivals, they can go with the combination of Noor Ahmad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravi Ashwin. CSK will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mumbai Indians will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav as Hardik Pandya is suffering from a match ban.

IPL Ravichandran Ashwin Gukesh Dommaraju