How IPL 2025 Turned Out to Be the Worst Season for Chennai Super Kings?
In IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings endured their worst season, finishing last in the points table for the first time. Out of 14 matches, they managed to win only 4 while losing 10, ending the league stage with just 8 points. It marked an unexpected and disappointing campaign for one of the league’s most successful franchises.
Over the last 17 seasons of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings have been one of the most dominant teams. Their consistency and success have always been linked with one name — MS Dhoni. There had never been two consecutive IPL finals without Dhoni being a part of at least one of them. That’s how big his impact has been, both as a player and as a captain. But in IPL 2025, things took a different turn. For the first time in their history, Chennai Super Kings finished at the bottom of the points table. They won just 4 out of their 14 matches, ending the season with 8 points and a poor net run rate of -0.647.
| Position | Team | Matches (M) | Wins (W) | Losses (L) | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GT | 14 | 9 | 5 | +0.254 |
| 2 | PBKS | 13 | 8 | 4 | +0.327 |
| 3 | RCB | 13 | 8 | 4 | +0.255 |
| 4 | MI | 13 | 8 | 5 | +1.292 |
| 5 | DC | 14 | 7 | 6 | +0.011 |
| 6 | SRH | 14 | 6 | 7 | -0.241 |
| 7 | LSG | 13 | 6 | 7 | -0.337 |
| 8 | KKR | 14 | 5 | 7 | -0.305 |
| 9 | RR | 14 | 4 | 10 | -0.549 |
| 10 | CSK | 14 | 4 | 10 | -0.647 |
This marked the end of the remarkable streak, as CSK failed to reach the playoffs or the finals. Several issues impacted their campaign this year. Injuries to key players hurt their balance, the middle order was completely out of form, and the team failed to make the most of their home advantage at Chepauk. Even their experienced players couldn’t step up when needed. All of this made IPL 2025 one of the toughest seasons ever for CSK fans. Looking at how things unfolded, it’s fair to say this was CSK’s worst IPL season to date.
Out of Form Middle Order
One of the major reasons why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) failed to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs was their poor auction strategy and an out-of-form middle order. CSK splurged on Rahul Tripathi (INR 3.40 Crore), Deepak Hooda (INR 1.70 Crore), Vijay Shankar (INR 1.20 Crore), Rachin Ravindra (INR 4 Crore), and Devon Conway (INR 6.25 Crore). However, these players couldn’t shoulder the batting responsibilities, leading to CSK’s dismal season, finishing last with 4 wins, 10 losses, and a net run rate of -0.647.
| Player | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | BF | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 0 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Shankar | 6 | 5 | 2 | 118 | 91 | 69* | 39.33 | 129.67 | – | 1 | – | 8 | 3 |
| D Brevis | 6 | 6 | 0 | 225 | 125 | 57 | 37.50 | 180.00 | – | 2 | 1 | 13 | 17 |
| A Mhatre | 7 | 7 | 0 | 240 | 127 | 94 | 34.28 | 188.97 | – | 1 | 1 | 31 | 11 |
| RA Jadeja | 14 | 4 | 5 | 301 | 222 | 77* | 33.44 | 135.58 | – | 2 | 1 | 25 | 10 |
| S Dube | 14 | 14 | 3 | 357 | 270 | 50 | 32.45 | 132.22 | – | 1 | – | 22 | 21 |
| R Ravindra | 8 | 8 | 1 | 191 | 149 | 65* | 27.28 | 128.18 | – | 1 | 1 | 18 | 4 |
| DP Conway | 6 | 6 | 0 | 156 | 119 | 69 | 26.00 | 131.09 | – | 2 | 1 | 17 | 4 |
| MS Dhoni | 14 | 13 | 5 | 196 | 145 | 30* | 24.50 | 135.17 | – | – | – | 12 | 12 |
Shivam Dube was CSK’s top scorer, managing 357 runs in 14 innings at an average of 32.45 and a strike rate of 132.22, including one fifty. His 22 fours and 21 sixes showed flair, but he lacked consistency. Ravindra Jadeja contributed 301 runs in 14 innings at 33.44, with a strike rate of 135.58 and two fifties, but his impact was sporadic. Ayush Mhatre, a new face, impressed with 240 runs in 7 matches at 34.28, boasting a strike rate of 188.97, 31 fours, and 11 sixes, yet his efforts weren’t enough.
Dewald Brevis scored 225 runs in 6 matches at 37.50, with a blazing 180.00 strike rate, two fifties, 13 fours, and 17 sixes, but his form dipped in crucial games. Rachin Ravindra’s 191 runs in 8 matches at 27.28 (strike rate 128.18) and Devon Conway’s 156 runs in 6 matches at 26.00 (strike rate 131.09) were underwhelming for their price tags. MS Dhoni, at 43, scored 196 runs in 13 innings at 24.50, with a strike rate of 135.17, hitting 12 fours and 12 sixes, but couldn’t rescue the team often. Vijay Shankar’s 118 runs in 5 innings at 39.33 were too few to make a difference.
Injuries and Replacements
Before IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) knew their middle order was shaky but trusted their knack for reviving out-of-form players. Stars like Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shivam Dube had thrived under CSK’s guidance before, and the team hoped to repeat this magic with Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar. But 2025 was different. These players struggled early, forcing CSK to drop them after a few games as the team slumped.
| Ruled Out | Brought In |
|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Ayush Mhatre |
| Vansh Bedi | Urvil Patel |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Dewald Brevis |
On April 10, a bombshell hit as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an elbow injury, thrusting MS Dhoni back as skipper. CSK brought in young Ayush Mhatre as Gaikwad’s replacement. Soon after, Vansh Bedi was sidelined, and Urvil Patel stepped in mid-season. The biggest surprise came when Dewald Brevis replaced Gurjapneet Singh. The replacements gave hope, but CSK’s injury woes and middle-order flops made 2025 their worst IPL season ever.
Losing the Home Dominance
After the IPL 2025 Auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans were confident in their bowling attack, tailored for Chepauk’s slow, sluggish pitches. Retaining Ravindra Jadeja for INR 18 Crore and acquiring Noor Ahmad for INR 10 Crore and R Ashwin for INR 9.75 Crore, CSK aimed to dominate with spin. However, their home campaign was a disaster, winning only one of six matches at Chepauk and losing five, shattering their reputation as a fortress.
| Date | Match No. | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar 2025 | 3rd | Mumbai Indians | CSK won | By 4 wickets (5 balls remaining) |
| 28 Mar 2025 | 8th | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | RCB won | By 50 runs |
| 05 Apr 2025 | 17th | Delhi Capitals | DC won | By 25 runs |
| 11 Apr 2025 | 25th | Kolkata Knight Riders | KKR won | By 8 wickets (59 balls remaining) |
| 25 Apr 2025 | 43rd | Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH won | By 5 wickets (8 balls remaining) |
| 30 Apr 2025 | 49th | Punjab Kings | PBKS won | By 4 wickets (2 balls remaining) |
This contributed to their last-place finish with 4 wins, 8 points, and a net run rate of -0.647. The team lost against the teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and the Punjab Kings at the home which made things tough for them to progress to the next round and hence were eliminated from the tournament after the group stage.
RCB Defeated CSK in Chennai For the First Time After 2008
Getting off their streak over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a 50-run victory in the 8th IPL 2025 match on March 28 at Chepauk. RCB posted 196/7, with Rajat Patidar’s 51 off 32 (four fours, three sixes) earning him Player of the Match. Phil Salt (32 off 16) and Virat Kohli (31 off 30) contributed, while Noor Ahmad took 3/36 for CSK. Chasing 197, CSK stumbled to 146/8, with Rachin Ravindra’s 41 off 31 the top score. Josh Hazlewood’s 3/21 was pivotal. RCB ended a 17-year jinx, their first Chepauk win against CSK since 2008.
DC Defeated CSK in Chennai for the First Time After 2010
The second streak ruined by Delhi Capitals (DC) was their first win at Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 15 years, triumphing by 25 runs in the 17th IPL 2025 match on April 5. DC posted 183/6, led by KL Rahul’s 77 off 51 (six fours, three sixes), earning him Player of the Match. Abishek Porel scored 33 off 20, while Khaleel Ahmed took 2/25 for CSK. Chasing 184, CSK reached 158/5, with Vijay Shankar’s unbeaten 69 off 54 and MS Dhoni’s 30* off 26. Vipraj Nigam’s 2/27 for DC proved crucial, as CSK’s early collapse sealed their fate.
🚨 IPL 2025 – THE WORST SEASON EVER FOR CSK 🚨
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 25, 2025
– Finished 10th for the first Time ever.
– DC won at Chepauk after 15 years.
– RCB won at Chepauk after 17 years.
– SRH won at Chepauk for the first time ever. pic.twitter.com/D14WmbrTZk
SRH Defeated CSK in Chennai for the First Time in the IPL History
Another major loss for the CSK team came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 25, 2025, at Chepauk, where SRH won by 5 wickets with 8 balls remaining. CSK managed 154 all out in 19.5 overs, with Dewald Brevis scoring 42 off 25. Harshal Patel’s 4/28, earning him Player of the Match, wrecked CSK’s batting. SRH chased 155 in 18.4 overs, led by Ishan Kishan’s 44 off 34 and Kamindu Mendis’ unbeaten 32 off 22. Noor Ahmad took 2/42 for CSK. This marked SRH’s first-ever win at Chepauk since their IPL debut in 2013, deepening CSK’s 2025 woes.
Comments