Chennai, April 26, 2025 – Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the five-time IPL champions, are enduring a nightmare in IPL 2025. With only 2 wins from 9 matches, they sit at the bottom of the points table with a dismal net run rate of -1.302. Their campaign has been a catastrophic collapse of batting and bowling, coupled with a glaring lack of effort that has left fans and analysts questioning their commitment.
The team’s inability to post competitive totals or defend modest scores has been a recurring theme, as highlighted by captain MS Dhoni‘s frustration after recent losses.
Batting Line-Up in Disarray
CSK’s batting, expected to be a cornerstone, has been a glaring weakness. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who captained the side before an elbow injury forced him out, faced frequent changes in his batting position, disrupting his natural game. In the matches he played, such as scoring 63 against Rajasthan Royals, his contributions were inconsistent due to these shifts.
The top order has struggled to provide solid starts, with players like Devon Conway (69 vs Punjab Kings) showing promise but failing to deliver consistently.
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The middle order has been particularly vulnerable. Shivam Dube, known for his explosive batting, has been sporadic, with scores like 43* against Lucknow Super Giants being rare highlights. Dewald Brevis, a young talent, scored 42 against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), but such performances have been too infrequent to lift the team.
The team’s lowest point came against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where they managed only 103, their lowest IPL total at home, exposing their batting frailties.
Bowling Woes: Veterans and Newcomers Alike Struggle
The bowling attack has been equally disappointing, failing to provide control or wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned to CSK for Rs 9.75 crore, has been a shadow of his former self.
In 5 matches, he has taken just 6 wickets at an economy rate of 9.90, drawing sharp criticism. Aakash Chopra (commentator and former Indian Cricketer) noted that Ashwin’s struggles have “added salt to CSK’s wounds,” while Kris Srikkanth labeled his bowling “horrible,” urging the team to drop him. Ashwin’s lack of impact on Chepauk’s spin-friendly tracks has been a significant blow.
Ravindra Jadeja, another veteran, has contributed with both bat and ball, such as an unbeaten 53 against Mumbai Indians and 2 wickets against Lucknow Super Giants. However, he has not provided the “X factor” expected from a player of his stature, with his performances falling short of game-changing.
Noor Ahmad has been the standout bowler, consistently picking up wickets (e.g., 4/18 vs Mumbai Indians), but the rest of the attack, including Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana, has been inconsistent, often leaking runs in crucial phases.
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Sam Curran, acquired for Rs 2.4 crore, has been grossly underutilized. His contributions have been minimal, with scores like 8 off 13 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and 9 off 10 balls against SRH highlighting his struggles. Curran’s limited role in both batting and bowling has been a tactical error, wasting the potential of a proven all-rounder.
Lack of Effort and Strategic Missteps
The most damning aspect of CSK’s campaign has been their apparent lack of effort. MS Dhoni, who took over as captain after Gaikwad’s injury, has been vocal about the team’s shortcomings. After a 5-wicket loss to SRH, Dhoni remarked, “We are just not putting enough runs on the board,” highlighting a lack of cohesion and intensity. The team’s performances, such as conceding 71 runs in the powerplay against KKR while scoring only 31 in their own, underline a lack of intent and execution.
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Strategically, CSK has been a mess. The frequent shuffling of Gaikwad’s batting position disrupted the team’s balance, while Curran’s underutilization reflects poor planning. The decision to persist with underperforming veterans like Ashwin, despite calls to give youngsters a chance, has further compounded their woes. Coach Stephen Fleming’s tactics, including sending Dhoni to bat as low as No. 9 in some matches, have drawn criticism for lacking clarity.
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A Season to Forget
CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign has been marked by a series of unwanted records: five consecutive defeats, three straight losses at Chepauk, and their heaviest defeat in terms of balls remaining against KKR. With only 5 games remaining, their playoff hopes are all but extinguished, requiring them to win every match and rely on favorable results elsewhere.
The numbers paint a grim picture: 7 losses in 9 games, low totals like 103 against KKR, and a bowling unit that has struggled to contain opposition batsmen. Ashwin’s lackluster performances, Jadeja’s failure to dominate, Gaikwad’s disrupted batting order, and Curran’s minimal impact have all contributed to this debacle. Above all, the lack of effort, as highlighted by Dhoni, has been the most concerning, with the team appearing to go through the motions rather than fighting for their pride.
If CSK is to salvage anything from this season, they must regroup and refocus. The management needs to address tactical errors, such as stabilizing the batting order and utilizing players like Curran effectively. Giving opportunities to youngsters like Shaik Rasheed, who debuted against Lucknow Super Giants, could inject fresh energ. However, with their current form, the focus may shift to building a stronger combination for IPL 2026, as Dhoni himself suggested.
For now, CSK’s fans must endure the pain of watching their beloved team stumble through one of the worst campaigns in their history. The Yellow Army, once a symbol of resilience, must rediscover its fighting spirit to restore its legacy in the seasons to come.
Also Read: CSK vs SRH: “MS Dhoni Will Do What Is Right For The Team”- CSK CEO Gives Massive Update