The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have long commanded respect and admiration in the Indian Premier League. One of the most consistent and successful franchises, CSK has clinched five IPL titles under the calm and composed leadership of MS Dhoni—an icon of Indian cricket. However, in a rare and disappointing twist, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2025, leaving fans disheartened and critics asking: What went wrong?
Here’s a look at the major reasons behind CSK’s unexpected fall from grace this season.
1. The End of an Era: Life After Dhoni
The biggest change came with the official retirement of MS Dhoni. While he featured in a few early matches, his influence on the field was noticeably limited compared to past seasons. The captaincy baton was passed to Ruturaj Gaikwad—a technically sound player but still finding his footing as a leader.
Despite showing promise, Gaikwad lacked Dhoni’s tactical sharpness in high-pressure moments. CSK’s hallmark—calm, calculated decision-making—was often missing. The team appeared rudderless during tight chases and in crucial field placements, a stark contrast to the Dhoni-led era.
2. Injuries and Inconsistent Selection Hurt Team Chemistry
Injuries plagued CSK throughout the tournament:
- Deepak Chahar once again missed most of the season, depriving CSK of their primary powerplay bowler.
- Ben Stokes, expected to be a game-changer, struggled with both form and fitness.
- Matheesha Pathirana, a breakout star from 2024, sat out several matches due to a hamstring issue.
Frequent changes in the playing XI disrupted rhythm and team chemistry. The lack of a settled core, especially in the bowling unit, was evident and costly in a tournament where consistency is crucial.
3. Underperformance from Senior Players
Several of CSK’s veterans failed to deliver:
- Ravindra Jadeja had an underwhelming season with both bat and ball.
- Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu (who came out of a brief retirement) started with promise but couldn’t sustain form.
- Devon Conway, usually a reliable opener, endured a string of low scores, stalling CSK’s momentum early in matches.
With senior players faltering, the onus fell unfairly on younger names like Gaikwad and Sameer Rizvi, burdening them with more responsibility than they were ready for.
4. Death Overs: A Glaring Weakness
CSK’s bowling at the death was one of their biggest shortcomings. With Dwayne Bravo retired and Chahar injured, the responsibility fell to relatively inexperienced pacers like Tushar Deshpande and Mukesh Choudhary, who struggled to maintain consistency.
On multiple occasions, CSK leaked over 20 runs in the final two overs—decisive margins in tightly contested games.
5. Lack of Finishing Firepower
Dhoni’s limited presence this season meant the team lacked its trusted finisher. While Shivam Dube provided some big-hitting cameos, he lacked a dependable partner in the lower order. The No. 6 and No. 7 positions remained weak spots.
In contrast, teams like Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings benefited from explosive finishers such as Shimron Hetmyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Liam Livingstone, often swinging the match in the final overs.
6. Home Advantage Wasted
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK’s fortress, failed to yield results this year. The team lost key home games due to poor adaptation to slightly altered pitch conditions and an inability to defend par scores. The traditionally spin-friendly surface didn’t offer the usual turn, blunting CSK’s historical strength in spin bowling.
7. The IPL Landscape Has Evolved
The league itself has moved on. Teams like Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants have embraced a more analytical, data-driven, and aggressive approach. CSK’s loyalty-first strategy and reliance on an aging core appeared out of step with the evolving demands of modern T20 cricket.
The Road Ahead for CSK
IPL 2025 could mark the start of a transitional phase for CSK. The franchise must now focus on rebuilding around young talents like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, while scouting international stars who can add long-term value. Most importantly, recruitment strategies need a revamp—particularly in acquiring dependable finishers and effective death bowlers.
The foundation of success still exists; it now needs a modern twist.
Final Thoughts
CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign wasn’t derailed by a single issue—it was a mix of leadership changes, poor form, injury woes, and tactical missteps. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that CSK never stays down for long.
This may mark the end of one glorious era—but perhaps, it’s also the beginning of a bold new chapter.
Written By Ritesh Singh
