Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They started their IPL journey by being the runners-up, and since then, the Super Kings have dominated the league throughout the years. They have qualified for the playoffs in almost all the seasons of the league except in 2020, 2022, and 2024. The Men in Yellow have always had a balanced side, and someone somehow helped them to qualify in the process.
The Chennai-based side has won five titles in the IPL and two in the Champions League T20 as well, and everything happened under the awe-inspiring leadership of legendary MS Dhoni. However, in 2024, he decided to pass on the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad and play as a wicketkeeper-batter in the league. Neither was it a bad season, nor it was good. CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs, but each and every game was filled with intent to win the game.
However, IPL 2025 is different for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team. CSK have lost three consecutive games except for their opening game against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Chennai so far. Unfortunately, they have lost two games on their home ground, failing to take advantage of home conditions. This has mainly happened because of lack of intent from the players. In this article, CricTracker discusses the ways they can avoid elimination in the tournament.
Let’s look at the three ways CSK can bounce back and qualify for playoffs in IPL 2025:
3. Top order should step up
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the few franchises that have been dependent on their top-order batters. However, this season, that has been missing from the players. First, they went with Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, and Ruturaj Gaikwad as their top-order batters, but that didn’t work out well for the team.
In the last game, they brought Devon Conway to handle the powerplay overs. However, all three players were dismissed within the powerplay. If they want to avoid getting knocked out before the playoffs, the top three players will have to play well in the upcoming games.
2. Shivam Dube key to overcome middle-order conundrum
CSK haven’t chased a 180-plus target since 2018. This isn’t a good statistic for a champion team like them. This has mainly happened because of the poor form of the middle-order batters. In this season, the major responsibility falls on Vijay Shankar and Shivam Dube, who are trusted by the management in the middle overs.
Depending on players like MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja might work in one or two games but in an entire tournament, it is not going to be an ideal case scenario. The legendary finisher isn’t in his best form, which is pretty evident from his performances so far. So, the main batters will have to take up the lead and perform well regularly.
Check Here: Reason behind Chennai Super Kings downfall in IPL 2025?
1. Introduce an inspiring bowling attack
CSK made a few changes in the bowling line-up by bringing in Mukesh Choudhary. But the left-arm bowler couldn’t compliment Khaleel Ahmed from the other end, going for 50 runs in his first game of the season. Apart from him, playing Ravichandran Ashwin in all the games isn’t necessary as well. They already have Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad to handle the spin department.
Khaleel and Noor have been terrific for the team, picking up wickets in powerplays and the middle overs. Now, all CSK need is a better bowler in the death overs alongside Matheesha Pathirana. Therefore, Gaikwad & Co. should try trusting Anshul Kamboj, who has proven himself in the domestic arena. This could overall revamp the bowling attack and make a perfect playing combination, that can lead the team to yet another playoffs.
