IPL 2025: What Ails The League's Most Storied Franchise? CSK Stare At Exit

CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign has been a shadow of their storied legacy, marked by five titles and consistent playoff appearances. Several critical factors have contributed to their “pathetic” performance, as evidenced by their 2 wins in 9 matches and a string of heavy defeats:

1. Batting Collapses and Lack of Aggression:

   • CSK’s batting has been their Achilles’ heel, with a conservative approach yielding low totals. Their lowest point was a 103/9 against KKR at Chepauk, their second-lowest first-innings total at home. The team has struggled to adapt to modern T20 demands, with a scoring rate of just 6.61 runs per over against spin, the worst in the league.
   • Key players like Rachin Ravindra have underperformed, with Ravindra recording one of the lowest strike rates (among openers facing 100+ balls) this season. The absence of a “shock absorber” like S Badrinath or Ajinkya Rahane, who could stabilize innings, has exposed CSK’s brittle middle order.
   • MS Dhoni, while effective as a finisher (220.54 strike rate in 2024), cannot compensate for consistent top-order failures. Youngsters like Ayush Mhatre have shown promise but lack consistency.

2. Bowling Ineffectiveness:

   • CSK’s bowling unit has been inconsistent, particularly against aggressive batting sides. While spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad thrive at Chepauk (where spinners have an economy of 7.13), their pace attack has struggled. Khaleel Ahmad and Matheesha Pathirana have been unable to contain opposition batters, with CSK conceding runs at a high rate on flatter tracks.
   • The team’s Powerplay struggles are notable, with the lowest scoring rate in this phase and a failure to take wickets early, allowing opponents to build momentum.

3. Leadership and Injury Setbacks:

   • The mid-season injury to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (hairline elbow fracture) forced MS Dhoni to take over leadership duties. While Dhoni’s experience is unparalleled, the transition disrupted team strategy, and his return has not sparked the expected turnaround.
   • Gaikwad’s absence as a batsman further weakened the top order, as his 394 runs in CSK-SRH clashes highlighted his importance. The team has struggled to find a stable opening pair, with Shaik Rasheed and Ravindra failing to deliver consistently.

4. Historical Dominance at Chepauk Undermined:

   • Chepauk, traditionally a fortress for CSK, has been a graveyard this season, with three losses in four home games, including defeats to KKR and MI. The slow, turning pitch has favored spinners, but CSK’s batters have failed to capitalize, scoring at an average of 23.2 runs per wicket and a tournament-low 8.1 runs per over.
   • SRH, despite never winning at Chepauk in five attempts, exploited CSK’s weaknesses, with their spinners (Zeeshan Ansari, Rahul Chahar) outsmarting CSK’s spin-vulnerable batting.

5. Lack of Team Cohesion and Form:

   • CSK’s squad, despite boasting veterans like Dhoni, Jadeja, and Ashwin, has lacked the dynamism of past seasons. The absence of a balanced all-rounder like Sam Curran (used sparingly) and the failure of overseas players like Jamie Overton to make an impact have hurt the team.
   • SRH’s Heinrich Klaasen (281 runs, 159.65 strike rate) exposed CSK’s bowling frailties, while CSK’s batters couldn’t counter SRH’s spin-heavy attack, losing 25 wickets to spin at an average of 18.84.

6. Psychological and Strategic Missteps:

   • CSK’s cautious approach, as noted by analysts, has been a mismatch for IPL 2025’s high-scoring meta. While SRH’s aggressive batting has occasionally misfired, CSK’s inability to shift gears in the middle overs has led to low totals and easy chases for opponents.
   • Dhoni himself acknowledged the need for pragmatism, stating, “What we need to realise is that we are successful because we play good cricket, and at the same time, when we are not playing good cricket, what is important is not to get too emotional about it, and at the same time, you want to be practical.” However, this mindset has not translated into on-field results.

CSK’s loss to SRH on April 25, 2025, has all but extinguished their IPL 2025 playoff hopes. To qualify, they must win all 5 remaining matches by large margins and hope for multiple top teams to stumble, a scenario with a near impossibility according to fan sentiment. Their “pathetic” performance stems from a faltering batting lineup, ineffective bowling outside Chepauk’s spin-friendly conditions, leadership disruptions, and a failure to adapt to T20’s aggressive demands. As Dhoni looks to rebuild a “secured” eleven for the future, CSK’s 2025 campaign is likely to end as a rare blemish in their illustrious history.

Also Read: IPL 2025: CSK's Playoff Hopes Fade.. What Are Their Chances of Moving Ahead?