Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time IPL champions and perennial crowd favorites, find themselves in unfamiliar territory as the IPL 2025 season nears its business end. Following a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 25 at their fortress — the MA Chidambaram Stadium — the road to the playoffs has become narrow and treacherous. With just five games left in the league stage and a net run rate languishing at -1.302, CSK’s qualification scenario hinges on a perfect finish and a bit of luck. Still, if there’s one team that knows how to rise from the ashes, it’s the men in yellow.
How can CSK still qualify for IPL 2025 playoffs
For CSK, the equation is brutally simple: win all the remaining five matches. This would take them to 14 points — a total that proved just enough for RCB to sneak into the playoffs in 2024. But unlike last season, CSK’s net run rate currently stands as the worst in the league. Even with 14 points, qualification isn’t a guarantee; it will come down to how convincingly they can win and whether other results go their way.
In essence, CSK need to treat every match like a knockout from this point onward. They must aim not only to win but to dominate. A marginal win won’t be enough to overturn their dismal net run rate. The margin of victory — in terms of runs or wickets — will be just as important as the win itself. Large wins could help shave off the negative NRR and push them up the ladder in the event of a points tie.
Additionally, the Super Kings will have to keep an eye on the performance of fellow mid-table contenders such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Punjab Kings. Losses for these teams could open the door for CSK to make a backdoor entry into the playoffs. In a tight league where multiple teams often finish with similar points, net run rate becomes the tiebreaker, and CSK’s only chance lies in giving clinical, one-sided performances from here on out.
CSK’s familiarity to playoffs
This isn’t the first time CSK have been cornered. Historically, the Super Kings have shown remarkable resilience under pressure. The leadership of MS Dhoni still holds sway in the dressing room, and his presence on the field continues to inspire tactical discipline and calm. Players like Sam Curran, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja need to hit peak form in the final stretch, while the bowling unit must tighten up and deliver powerplay breakthroughs and death-over consistency.
Furthermore, Chepauk, their stronghold, will play a crucial role. CSK have always had a fortress-like grip on their home turf, and their familiarity with the conditions could be the ace up their sleeve in must-win scenarios. The yellow army fans who pack the stadium no matter the odds will undoubtedly act as the twelfth man in the coming games, lending morale and support.
There’s also precedent that gives hope. In seasons past, CSK have turned sluggish starts into successful campaigns. Their 2010 and 2018 title runs were built on strong finishes after shaky starts. The franchise’s ability to peak at the right time is part of their legacy, and if history is any guide, writing CSK off would be premature.
