The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League has been nothing but a disaster for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With only two victories in their first eight matches, they are currently at the bottom of the points table in 10th position. The team has been plagued by a series of mishaps, including the premature injury of their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, which has only compounded their problems. Even the great MS Dhoni, who has filled in as the acting captain, has failed to get the team going and bounce back from the lean patch. As a whole, the team’s performance has been quite average and the five-time IPL champions have been struggling throughout the season.
What Needs To Change For CSK?
Having only five league games remaining in their season, CSK have no room for mistakes. They will have to win all of those in order to even have a shred of a chance to qualify for the playoffs. Even with this bringing them to 14 points, though, history teaches that this could still fall short, barring the occasional fluke such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualifying for the playoffs on the same point total last season.
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The Importance of Other Results
Winning five consecutively is only part of the equation. CSK also require the optimum combination of performances from other teams if they are to stand any chance of qualifying. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans need to keep on winning, albeit not against CSK, in order to eliminate some of the other playoff contenders and compress the mid-table battle.
Improving the Net Run Rate is Essential
Even if CSK manage to win the rest of their games, they are stuck with a poor net run rate (NRR), the poorest among all the teams. For them to remain in the contest, not only do they require wins, but they require big ones decisive wins that can massively enhance their NRR. A good finish to the league stage can still turn the numbers around in their favor.
Can CSK Pull Off The Impossible?
The path of travel from here is uphill, and the cards are against them. But this is a sport of miracles. If CSK can get back in rhythm and other things fall in place then there’s a slight chance that MS Dhoni led team can still qualify for playoffs.
