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Chennai Super Kings (CSK)‘ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign went further downhill as the team suffered their seventh loss of the season, falling to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday (April 25).
The loss has left the five-time champions languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four points from nine matches. Yet, in what has been one of the franchise’s most trying seasons, hope still flickers. Mathematically, CSK remains in the Playoff hunt, but the path is steep, they must win all five of their remaining league games and hope for several other results to swing in their favor.
Anil Kumble finds a silver lining amid CSK’s turmoil in IPL 2025
While the 2025 season may not offer much for CSK in terms of immediate success, legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble believes the franchise is already planting the seeds for a better tomorrow. The brightest spark in a struggling lineup, according to Kumble, is South African youngster Dewald Brevis. Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble lauded Brevis for his composure and maturity on difficult pitches, particularly in Chennai.
“His ability to play spin really stood out. Chennai isn’t easy. It’s a two-paced wicket where the odd ball holds up. He’s done it before in South Africa, in first-class cricket, and at the U-19 level, which is how he came into the IPL,” Kumble said.
Kumble further emphasized that Brevis’ technique against spin and temperament under pressure remind him of promising names from the past who made instant impacts after mid-season arrivals.
“He came in as a replacement, wasn’t even part of the squad originally, and that reminds me of how one ‘Universe Boss’ (Chris Gayle) too walked in as a replacement for RCB in 2011 and became an icon,” the 54-year-old added.
Brevis, who joined CSK as an injury replacement midway through the season, has wasted no time in showing why he’s considered one of the brightest young talents in world cricket. His clean strokeplay, balance, and adaptability have drawn comparisons to past greats who left their mark early in their IPL journeys.
Kumble believes Brevis’ presence offers CSK a rare opportunity to begin rebuilding with purpose. “Brevis has all the shots. With Rachin Ravindra, Mhatre, and Pathirana, CSK has a young core to build on. Brevis has the potential to be a long-term asset for the franchise,” the former Indian captain stated, hinting that the time has come to focus on grooming the next generation.
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CSK’s team combination and missed opportunities in IPL 2025
While praising Brevis and the young talent pool, Kumble didn’t shy away from critiquing CSK’s tactical decisions this season. With their playoff chances now hanging by a thread, Kumble urged the management to treat the remaining matches as a testing ground for future plans rather than chasing unlikely outcomes.
“With five games left, it’s perfect time to give youngsters a decent run and start building for the future,” Kumble concluded.
Despite being at the bottom of the standings, CSK can still reach 14 points, the maximum tally they can achieve if they win all their remaining matches. However, they’ll need to significantly boost their Net Run Rate and pray that other contenders falter. Since the IPL’s expansion to 10 teams, only Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2024 have managed to reach the playoffs with 14 points, making CSK’s task even more daunting. Still, the presence of exciting young talent like Brevis may give CSK fans a reason to stay invested, not just in this campaign, but in the promise of what lies ahead.
Also READ: Here’s how CSK can still qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs
