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Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) history with five titles, now tied with Mumbai Indians (MI), are enduring a horror run in the 2025 season.
CSK’s nightmare season hits rock bottom with historic defeat against KKR
With five losses in their first six matches, their campaign has been derailed early. Things worsened when regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. This prompted the return of the legendary MS Dhoni as captain, raising hopes of a revival. However, even his inspirational leadership couldn’t prevent disaster against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai. CSK registered their lowest-ever IPL total at Chepauk, a ground once known as their fortress. To compound the misery, the match ended with 59 balls remaining, placing this among the top five heaviest defeats in IPL history for CSK. Batting frailties, lack of depth in bowling, and poor execution all contributed to a humiliating night. The loss was more than just another defeat-it was a harsh reminder of how far CSK has slipped this season.
CSK’s top 5 heaviest defeat in the IPL in terms of balls
5) 37 balls Remaining vs Mumbai Indians – Mumbai, 2008
In the inaugural season of the IPL, CSK faced one of their first heavy defeats against the Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium. After setting a target of 157 runs, CSK were confident of defending the score. However, Sanath Jayasuriya had other plans. The Sri Lankan legend played one of the most brutal innings in IPL history, smashing a 48-ball 114 not out. His thunderous assault left CSK’s bowling unit shell-shocked, as he cleared boundaries at will. Mumbai reached the target in only 13.5 overs, with 37 balls to spare, inflicting a painful loss on the Dhoni-led side. The game became a benchmark for chasing dominance in IPL’s early years.
4) 40 balls remaining vs Delhi Capitals – Delhi, 2012
Back in the 2012 season, CSK faced a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla. CSK batted first and posted just 110 runs, with their batters failing to cope with the pace and bounce of the pitch. Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav bowled hostile spells, reducing CSK to a sub-par total. Chasing the small target, Delhi made short work of it, reaching 111/2 in only 13.2 overs. Kevin Pietersen and Virender Sehwag were in supreme touch, scoring freely and dismantling the attack. The match concluded with 40 balls still left, marking one of CSK’s early heavy defeats. The lack of batting intent and below-average bowling showed that CSK struggled away from home conditions. This match remains one of the stark reminders of their vulnerability on fast, bouncy tracks.
Also READ: Top 5 oldest captains in IPL history ft. MS Dhoni
3) 42 balls remaining vs Punjab Kings – Dubai, 2021
This defeat came in the final league match of the 2021 season when CSK faced Punjab Kings in Dubai. Chennai batted first and posted 134/6 in their 20 overs, a below-average score considering the conditions. Punjab’s bowlers, especially Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi, applied the brakes effectively and never allowed CSK to accelerate. In response, KL Rahul single-handedly dismantled the CSK bowling attack with a brilliant 98 not out off 42 balls. He struck boundaries with ease and ensured Punjab chased the target in only 13 overs. The defeat by 42 balls remaining was a shocking outcome for a side that had otherwise performed well that season. It exposed CSK’s over-reliance on their top-order and their inability to contain aggressive openers. This game served as a late-season warning sign ahead of the playoffs.
2) 46 balls remaining vs Mumbai Indians – Sharjah, 2020
In the 2020 season at Sharjah, CSK endured a crushing loss against arch-rivals Mumbai. Batting first, Chennai struggled horribly on a slow surface, crawling to just 114/9 in 20 overs. Their famed batting line-up crumbled under the pressure of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, who dismantled the top-order within the powerplay. With a modest target to chase, Mumbai made light work of the run chase, reaching it in just 12.2 overs without losing a wicket. Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock batted with complete authority, making CSK’s bowlers look ordinary. The match ended with a massive 46 balls remaining, making it one of the heaviest T20 defeats in CSK’s timeline. The loss further highlighted CSK’s struggles in the 2020 season, where age and lack of intensity cost them dearly. This defeat was symbolic of the transition CSK desperately needed.
1) 59 balls remaining vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Chennai, 2025
In one of the most humiliating defeats in CSK’s IPL history, the 2025 match against KKR at Chepauk ended in disaster. Chennai managed just 103/9 in their 20 overs, a score far below par even on a spin-friendly surface. The home crowd witnessed an astonishing collapse, where CSK lost wickets in clusters, and no batter crossed the 30-run mark except Shivam Dube. In reply, KKR made a mockery of the chase, reaching the target in only 10.1 overs. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine went ballistic during the powerplay, crushing the CSK bowlers with brutal hitting. The win came with 59 balls remaining, the largest ever margin of defeat for CSK by this metric. The loss exposed CSK’s vulnerabilities in both top-order batting and bowling depth. It remains a generational low point in the franchise’s proud history.
