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Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a powerhouse with five-IPL titles, are officially out of the playoffs race after a dismal campaign. The team was outplayed in every department making it a season to forget. Currently last on the points table with just 2 wins in 10 games, this has been CSK’s worst performance so far in the IPL history. CSK’s campaign has been plagued by errors, whether its lacklustre batting, expensive bowling or slippery fielding, the side has delivered everything that cricketing side never wants.
After making a convincing start to the season, CSK never seemed in a winning position and their woes worsen when their regular skipper Rituraj Gaikwad got injured with an elbow blow. However, the side has also witnessed some positives in last couple of matches that might help them in their future endeavours.
Here are the reasons behind CSK’s disastrous run in IPL 2025:
1. Lackluster batting and powerplay woes
CSK’s batting was the epicenter of their 2025 woes, with Chepauk witnessing historic lows, including a record-low home total of 103/9 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The top order lacked aggression, averaging just around 45 runs in the powerplay compared to the season’s 57. Reckless shot selection and an inability to build partnerships plagued their innings, with so many dot balls in the powerplay highlighting a lack of intent.
Also, when 200-run is a normal sight in the T20s, CSK is the only side that has failed to achieve the 200 run mark this year. Their frontline batters led by Rachin Ravindra along with Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda have failed to fire badly. Only left-hander, Shivam Dube has managed to score more that 200 runs for CSK this season.
2. Auction blunders and squad imbalance
CSK’s auction strategy, once a hallmark of their success, was a disaster in 2025. After retaining five players – Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana – the franchise released key performers like Devon Conway, only to repurchase them at higher costs. Heavy spending on aging stars like Jadeja (₹18 crore) and Ravichandran Ashwin (₹9.75 crore) drained resources left the squad short of dynamic batters. Ashwin, past his T20 prime, managed just five wickets in seven games at an economy rate of 9.29, while Jadeja struggled to deliver match-winning performances
The failure to secure a power-hitting middle-order player proved costly with acquisitions like Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda. The squad’s imbalance was evident in its lack of depth. CSK’s reliance on veterans over youth contrasted with rivals who invested in versatile all-rounders and aggressive batters.
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3. The breach of Chepauk fortress
The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, traditionally a fortress where CSK leveraged spin-friendly conditions, became just another venue in 2025. For the first time in IPL history, CSK suffered five consecutive home defeats, a stark departure from their historical dominance. The pitch, which typically favored spinners like Jadeja and Ashwin, was exploited by opposition bowlers, particularly Sunil Narine and Yuzvendra Chahal, who dismantled CSK’s batting with ease.
CSK’s psychological advantage at home evaporated, with empty stands during their collapse against KKR reflecting dwindling fan confidence. The team’s inability to adapt to their own conditions, coupled with poor fielding and dropped catches,
4. Massive lapse in ground fielding
In cricket, ‘catches wins matches,’ but once a star-stubbed fielding side, CSK, has been a poor performer in this department as well. The catching efficiency of the side season stood at around 68.5% which is far less than that previous 2 years – 80.3%. The numerous dropped chances at crucial stages cost them matches. In both the game against Punjab Kings (PBKS), CSK’s fielders went sloppy; dropping first Priyansh Arya and later Prabhsimran Singh which eventually turned out match deciding innings.
5. Failure to evolve with T20 trends
IPL 2025 showcased T20 evolution into a high-scoring, power-hitting spectacle, but CSK remained tethered to an outdated model. Their spin-heavy attack, once a strength, was neutralized by aggressive batters and their pace unit, led by Pathirana, lacked support. CSK’s dependency on experience over youth was evident in their persistence with Ashwin and Jadeja, contrasted with rivals like RCB, who thrived with dynamic lineups.
The failure to invest in finishers and all-rounders left CSK unable to compete in chases or defend totals. Their approach mirrored the shortcomings of the 2020 and 2022 seasons, signaling the need for a squad overhaul to better align with the demands of T20 cricket.
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