By 
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most iconic franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), find themselves grappling with one of the most challenging seasons in their storied history. With only one win in their first six matches, the situation looks grim for the five-time champions. Yet, the beauty of the IPL is that surprises are always around the corner. In this article, we explore CSK’s recent performances, their challenges, and whether a miraculous comeback is still on the cards.
A Rocky Start: When One Win Isn’t Enough
CSK’s 2025 campaign began with optimism. In their opening match against the Mumbai Indians, they showed glimpses of their old brilliance, securing a four-wicket win. Young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad looked confident, and the bowling unit worked well as a cohesive unit. Fans hoped that CSK would carry this momentum forward.
Unfortunately, what followed was a nightmarish sequence of five consecutive defeats:
- Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru: A crushing 50-run defeat exposed CSK’s fragile middle-order.
- Against Rajasthan Royals: Despite a fighting effort, they fell short by just 6 runs, highlighting issues with finishing games under pressure.
- Against Delhi Capitals: A 25-run loss where CSK’s bowlers struggled at the death.
- Against Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya’s electrifying century meant CSK was never really in the contest.
- Against Kolkata Knight Riders: Perhaps the most disappointing, as they registered their lowest-ever home total (103/9) and lost by 8 wickets.
These results pushed CSK to 9th on the points table, ahead of only a struggling Gujarat Titans.
Ruturaj-Gaikwad-on-the-pitch
Leadership Shifts: The Return of MS Dhoni
Midway through the season, a major blow arrived: captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with a serious elbow fracture. In stepped MS Dhoni — the heartbeat of CSK — taking back the leadership mantle.
While Dhoni’s aura and strategic genius are undisputed, expecting him to single-handedly turn around a faltering team at the age of 43 is a tall order. Leadership stability may have returned, but the real question remains: can Dhoni inspire performances on the field?
History suggests he might. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK has bounced back from hopeless situations before — notably in 2010 and 2018. His calm under pressure could be CSK’s most potent weapon in the coming weeks.
shift-captaincy-from-ruturaj-gaikwad-to-MS-Dhoni
Tactical Headaches: The Overseas Dilemma
One of CSK’s biggest challenges has been the overseas player conundrum. The IPL rules permit only four overseas players in the playing XI, leading to difficult decisions.
Stephen Fleming, CSK’s long-serving coach, has admitted publicly that striking the right balance between batting firepower and bowling depth has been a massive headache.
- Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway provide stability at the top but at the cost of sacrificing an overseas bowler.
- Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana are vital in the bowling attack but occupy crucial overseas slots.
- New recruits like Gerald Coetzee have struggled to make a major impact.
This balance problem has left CSK vulnerable in key phases, especially during power-plays and death overs, areas where IPL matches are often won or lost.
Batting Woes: Power-play Problems
A major concern has been CSK’s sedate starts. They are averaging just 45 runs in the powerplay, the second-lowest in the tournament.
The reluctance to attack early has meant that CSK is constantly playing catch-up. Furthermore, the loss of quick wickets up top has exposed an undercooked middle order, making recovery difficult.
Comparatively, in successful years like 2018 and 2021, CSK’s hallmark was explosive starts from the likes of Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson, allowing Dhoni and others to capitalize later. In 2025, that platform simply hasn’t been built.
Adding to that, there’s been a dramatic fall in boundary-hitting — CSK have hit only three sixes in the powerplay across six matches, an alarming statistic for a team once known for fearless batting.
Bowling: Sparks But No Fireworks
In patches, the bowlers have shown fight. Tushar Deshpande has bowled with heart, Pathirana has delivered searing yorkers, and Ravindra Jadeja has continued to be economical.
But overall, the bowling unit has lacked penetration. Wickets in the powerplay have been scarce, and at the death, opposition batsmen have often unleashed carnage. Without early wickets, the bowlers have found themselves defending impossible totals.
Simply put, the team effort needed to win T20 games has been missing.
CSK-after-losing-to-KKR
The Dhoni Controversy: LBW Sparks Outrage
Adding fuel to the fire was the controversial dismissal of MS Dhoni in the match against KKR on 11th April. The CSK skipper was adjudged leg-before wicket despite the UltraEdge review showing a visible spike—an indication that the ball may have nicked the bat.
The decision was met with uproar from fans on social media, with many questioning the efficiency and consistency of umpiring decisions, even with the aid of technology. The visibly disappointed Dhoni walked back without much protest, but the incident became a major talking point post-match.
Questions Over Team Composition and Strategy: What’s wrong?
Critics have long warned CSK about their dependence on seasoned players. With several members of the squad in the twilight of their careers, the team has often been accused of not investing enough in fresh talent.
Their recent performances seem to validate this concern. The batting has looked fragile, especially against spin, while the bowling has lacked penetration in the absence of key performers. The decision to bring back Dhoni as captain, although necessary under the circumstances, hasn’t sparked the change the franchise hoped for.
Mike Hussey Remains Optimistic
Despite the mounting losses, CSK’s batting coach Mike Hussey is not giving up hope. Speaking after the defeat, Hussey acknowledged the team’s struggles but emphasized the importance of momentum in a long tournament like the IPL.
“We’ve had a poor run, no doubt, but there’s still a long way to go. A couple of wins can turn the tide. The players are working hard, and we’re confident of bouncing back,” he said.
His words reflect a team trying to stay afloat amid rising doubts, but they will need more than optimism to reverse the current trend.
Can CSK Still Qualify for the Playoffs?
The million-dollar question. Mathematically, YES — but the margin for error is almost zero.
Generally, 16 points (around eight wins) guarantee a playoff berth. With one win in six games, CSK would need to win seven out of their last eight matches.
The remaining fixtures for CSK:
- Away matches: Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Home matches: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans.
The schedule is brutal — multiple strong teams await, some on their own home turfs. Winning nearly every match is a colossal task, but stranger things have happened in IPL history.
Will-CSk-qualify-for-playoffs-2025
Lessons From Past Comebacks
The IPL has always been a tournament of unpredictability. Look no further than last year, when RCB stormed into the playoffs after being all but written off, winning six games in a row.
Similarly, in 2010, CSK themselves were languishing mid-table before a late charge saw them lift the trophy.
The critical factors in those turnarounds were:
- Consistency in playing XI: Building trust in a core group.
- One or two players finding purple patches: For CSK, someone like Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, or Moeen Ali must hit top form.
- Tactical bravery: Taking bold decisions, like promoting hitters up the order or experimenting with bowling matchups.
CSK must believe that it’s not about their past failures this season — it’s about stringing one win at a time and rebuilding momentum.
What Needs to Change?
If CSK are to even dream of sneaking into the playoffs, here’s what they must urgently address:
- Intent in the Powerplay: Be aggressive from ball one. Whether it’s Ruturaj (if fit in the future), Rachin Ravindra, or even someone like Dube promoted up the order, CSK needs fireworks early.
- Middle Order Solidity: Find stability at No. 4 and 5. Moeen Ali and Sameer Rizvi could be keys here.
- Better Field Placements: Dhoni’s brilliance in setting fields needs to be complemented by sharper fielding efforts.
- Clear Role Clarity: Each player needs clarity — whether to attack from the first ball, anchor, or bowl with a specific plan.
- Rotation in Bowling Attack: Pathirana can’t shoulder death-overs responsibility alone. Bowlers like Deepak Chahar (if fit) must step up.
Conclusion: Can the Lions Roar Again?
It’s easy to write CSK off — after all, their points tally and NRR (Net Run Rate) make for grim reading. But underestimating a team led by MS Dhoni is foolish. The franchise is built on resilience, culture, and belief.
The road to the playoffs is treacherous. CSK must win almost every game, hope for other results to go their way, and play at their absolute peak. But if there’s one team that has repeatedly defied odds in IPL folklore, it’s the Chennai Super Kings.
As Dhoni said once, “Until the last ball is bowled, the game is not over.”
The Yellow Army will cling to that spirit — roaring louder than ever before.
AUTHORED BY : SAMEERA BHAMRA & JIYA GHASWALLA
Comments