From Champions to Contenders No More
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have long been a hallmark of consistency in the IPL. Their formula of solid opening partnerships, dependable middle-order hitters, and a finishing masterclass from MS Dhoni earned them five IPL titles, including their triumph in 2023. But in 2025, that formula is broken.
The five-time champions are now staring at an early exit. A loss against Punjab Kings in their home fortress, Chepauk, will mathematically eliminate them from the playoff race. So, what exactly is going wrong?
Batting Breakdown Across All Phases
CSK have the worst run rate among all 10 teams this season—just 8.1. Even the second-worst team, KKR, averages a healthier 9.0 runs per over and still manages 180 per innings. CSK? Just 162.
| Phase | Run Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 7.9 | 10th |
| Middle (7-16) | 7.4 | 10th |
| Death (17-20) | 10.1 | 10th |
What’s worse: the same Powerplay run rate (7.9) earned them 4th rank in 2010, but in 2025, it places them dead last. Youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals has hit more sixes in the Powerplay in just three matches than the entire CSK squad in ten.
Acceleration Woes: Strike Rate Tells the Story
Among 70 batters who’ve faced more than 50 balls this season, five of the bottom 15 in terms of strike rate are from CSK—more than any other team.
| Batter | Balls Faced | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rahul Tripathi | 57 | 55 | 96.49 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 132 | 166 | 125.75 |
| Devon Conway | 74 | 94 | 127.02 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 149 | 191 | 128.18 |
| Vijay Shankar | 91 | 118 | 129.67 |
In their opening match against Mumbai Indians, CSK were 96/3 in 10 overs while chasing 156. Instead of capitalizing, the remaining 60 runs took 55 balls—an early warning the team failed to address.
Historic Lows at Home
Chepauk, once a fortress, has witnessed CSK’s most underwhelming performances this season:
- Biggest home loss chasing: 50-run defeat to RCB
- Lowest ever total in Chennai: 103/9 vs KKR
- First all-out in 6 years at home: 154 vs SRH
- Only team without a 200+ total batting first this season
The aura of home advantage has clearly faded.
Bowling: Solid Effort, But No Backup
While CSK’s bowlers haven’t been completely ineffective, they’ve rarely had enough runs to defend. They’ve bowled first in 6 games, conceding totals like 155/9, 196/7, and 219/6, yet only won twice.
| Bowler | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noor Ahmad | 9 | 14 | 8.0 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | 9 | 12 | 9.0 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 7 | 7 | 10.3 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 9 | 6 | 8.2 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 7 | 5 | 9.3 |
| Anshul Kamboj | 3 | 6 | 6.9 |
While Noor Ahmad and Khaleel Ahmed have stood out, Pathirana’s drop in accuracy and the spin duo of Jadeja and Ashwin not delivering wickets have hurt their defense badly.
Chopping and Changing: No Stability
CSK have already used 21 players in IPL 2025, more than any other team, and have repeated the same XI just once all season. That speaks to a side lacking stability and direction.
In the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, CSK made history by fielding five players under the age of 23—a first in their history. Shockingly, four of their mega auction picks—Conway, Tripathi, Ashwin, and Rachin Ravindra—were dropped.
Final Thoughts: Rebuild or Reload?
Is this the beginning of a necessary rebuild for CSK? Or just a temporary blip in an otherwise consistent franchise’s journey? Either way, IPL 2025 is shaping up to be a defining season—not for what CSK wins, but for how they respond to adversity.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)