Image: Chennai Super Kings sit bottom of the IPL 2025 table with just 3 wins / © IPL.com
At the IPL 2025 Auction, the Chennai Super Kings looked to gather an amazing core of players with most of their bases already covered. When they bought players like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Khaleel Ahmed, and others, it seemed the team was building a strong squad ready to dominate the IPL 2025 season. However, what happened after that was extremely disappointing for the team as they failed to make a mark in the season and are now facing a tough losing streak.
After playing 12 matches, Chennai Super Kings have managed to win only 3 games while losing 9. This has left them with just 6 points on the leaderboard, placing them at the 10th spot out of all teams. Their net run rate stands at -0.992, showing how the team has struggled both with the bat and ball. Despite having experienced players, CSK has not been able to find consistent form or rhythm. The losses have piled up, and the team’s performance has raised questions about their ability to compete for the IPL title this year.
For the Chennai Super Kings, the journey in the IPL 2025 started with a promising win but quickly turned into a tough season marked by inconsistent performances and narrow losses. Their first match was against Mumbai Indians at Chennai on March 23. Defending a modest total of 156, CSK managed to chase it down successfully, scoring 158 for 6 wickets with five balls remaining. This win showcased their ability to handle pressure and set a positive tone for their campaign. However, their next outing on March 28 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chennai was a harsh reminder of the challenges ahead. Chasing a big total of 197, CSK struggled and managed only 146 for 8, losing by a large margin of 50 runs and the batsmen failed to build meaningful partnerships, and the bowling attack could not contain RCB’s strong batting lineup.
| Date | Match No. | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar ’25 | 3rd | Mumbai Indians | Chennai | CSK won by 4 wickets |
| 28 Mar ’25 | 8th | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Chennai | RCB won by 50 runs |
| 30 Mar ’25 | 11th | Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati | RR won by 6 runs |
| 05 Apr ’25 | 17th | Delhi Capitals | Chennai | DC won by 25 runs |
| 08 Apr ’25 | 22nd | Punjab Kings | Mullanpur | PBKS won by 18 runs |
| 11 Apr ’25 | 25th | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai | KKR won by 8 wickets |
| 14 Apr ’25 | 30th | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | CSK won by 5 wickets |
| 20 Apr ’25 | 38th | Mumbai Indians | Wankhede | MI won by 9 wickets |
| 25 Apr ’25 | 43rd | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Chennai | SRH won by 5 wickets |
| 30 Apr ’25 | 49th | Punjab Kings | Chennai | PBKS won by 4 wickets |
| 03 May ’25 | 52nd | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Bengaluru | RCB won by 2 runs |
| 07 May ’25 | 57th | Kolkata Knight Riders | Eden Gardens | CSK won by 2 wickets |
On March 30, CSK faced Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati and lost a close contest by 6 runs. Rajasthan posted 182 for 9, and CSK fell just short, scoring 176 for 6 in their 20 overs. Despite a decent batting effort, the team couldn’t keep up with the required run rate in the final overs. In their April 5 game at home against Delhi Capitals, CSK lost by 25 runs. Delhi scored 183 for 6, and CSK managed 158 for 5 as the chase was derailed by inconsistent batting, with key players failing to make substantial contributions.
The problems continued on April 8 against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur. Punjab posted a strong total of 219 for 6, and CSK could only score 201 for 5, losing by 18 runs and the bowling unit struggled to take wickets, and the batting could not keep pace with the high target. CSK’s batting woes were more evident on April 11 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chennai, where they were bowled out for just 103 runs. KKR chased the target easily, winning by 8 wickets with 59 balls remaining and this was one of the lowest totals by CSK this season.
A positive moment came on April 14 at Lucknow when CSK chased down 167 against Lucknow Super Giants. They scored 168 for 5 with three balls to spare, thanks to good middle-order contributions and this win provided a much-needed boost for the team. However, the next matches brought further disappointments. On April 20, at Wankhede, Mumbai Indians easily chased down CSK’s 176 for 5 with nine wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare and on April 25 at Chennai, Sunrisers Hyderabad narrowly defeated CSK by five wickets, chasing 155 with 8 balls remaining. On April 30, Punjab Kings won another close encounter against CSK at Chennai by four wickets. Punjab scored 194 for 6, while CSK fell short by scoring 190. Despite putting up a competitive total, CSK’s bowlers failed to defend it. May 3 saw a tight game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru as RCB posted 213 for 5, and CSK came close, scoring 211 for 5 but fell short by 2 runs. This game showed CSK’s potential to chase big totals but also their inability to finish strong.
Finally, on May 7 at Eden Gardens, CSK edged out Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets in a thrilling match. KKR scored 179 for 6, but CSK managed 183 for 8 with two balls to spare. This was a crucial win that demonstrated their fighting spirit under pressure. Overall, CSK has struggled with consistency throughout the season. Their bowling has often conceded high totals, and the batting line-up has failed to chase or set competitive targets in many matches and with only three wins out of twelve games, CSK finds themselves near the bottom of the points table, holding just six points.
Just for the Chennai team, the only positives in the team have been the individual performances of a few consistent players who have tried to carry the side in an otherwise forgettable IPL 2025 campaign. Among the batters, Shivam Dube has been the most dependable, scoring 301 runs in 12 matches at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 130.86. He struck a crucial half-century and hit 20 fours and 17 sixes, offering middle-order resistance when needed while Ravindra Jadeja has also chipped in with bat and has scored 279 runs at an average of 34.87 and a brilliant strike rate of 140.20.
He remained unbeaten four times and hit 24 fours and 9 sixes, including a fighting knock of 77 not out. With the ball, he has provided balance and control in the middle overs. MS Dhoni, playing a finishing role, has contributed 180 runs at a solid strike rate of 140.62 while being dismissed only five times. Among the bowlers, Noor Ahmad has been the standout performer with 20 wickets in 43 overs at an average of 17.25 and a strike rate of 12.9 while Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana followed with 14 and 12 wickets respectively, though both were on the expensive side.
In the IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings have two matches left, though they are already out of the playoffs race. Their next game is against Rajasthan Royals on May 20 in Delhi. Rajasthan are in the mix for a top-four finish, so a win for CSK here could hurt their chances. Chennai will aim to put up a better show and end their losing run against a strong opponent. After that, CSK will take on Gujarat Titans on May 25 in Ahmedabad. Gujarat is also in contention for the playoffs, making this another key game.
While Chennai cannot qualify any more, they still have a chance to influence the table by defeating teams still in the race. These games are important for CSK to test their bench strength and give chances to players who could play key roles in the future. It also allows some of the seniors to try and end the season with strong performances. A win or two in the final games could help them avoid a bottom-table finish and carry some momentum into the next season.