Chennai Super Kings are the joint-most decorated team in the history of the Indian Premier League having won 5 titles, the same as the Mumbai Indians. But the IPL 2025 has not been kind to them so far.
They started the tournament with a win, beating the Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets. But since then they have gone on to lose 4 games on the trot and currently sit 9th in the points table.
Still, all is not lost for the Men in Yellow. There’s a long way to go in the tournament, and they can bounce back. In this piece, we break down how CSK can turn things around and make it to the playoffs.
CSK’s Match Results So Far
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians (Mar 23) | Won by 4 wickets |
| 2 | RCB (Mar 28) | Lost by 50 runs |
| 3 | Rajasthan Royals (Mar 30) | Lost by 6 runs |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals (Apr 5) | Lost by 25 runs |
| 5 | Punjab Kings (Apr 8) | Lost by 18 runs |
Can CSK Make Chepauk Their Stronghold Again?
Chepauk has always felt like home for CSK. They usually play well there because the pitch helps their spinners. But this season, things are different. The pitch isn’t turning much, it’s flatter, so the spinners aren’t getting much help. Because of that, CSK’s usual spin-heavy strategy hasn’t worked as well as it used to.
The team invested heavily in spin during the IPL 2025 auction, banking on a trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad. As the tournament progresses and pitches begin to wear out, CSK might yet rediscover their magic on turning tracks.
Batting Needs to Improve
The bowlers might perform well later, but right now, the batters need to step up. The top and middle order must score more runs, whether they are chasing or setting a target. The lower order can’t be expected to rescue the team every time. If the batters do their job, CSK will have a better chance of winning more matches.
Upcoming Matches For CSK
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| April 11 | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| April 14 | Lucknow Super Giants |
| April 20 | Mumbai Indians |
| April 25 | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| April 30 | Punjab Kings |
| May 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| May 7 | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| May 12 | Rajasthan Royals |
| May 18 | Gujarat Titans |
Current Points Table (as of April 9)
| Rank | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +1.413 |
| 2 | Delhi Capitals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.257 |
| 3 | Royal Challengers BLR | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.015 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.289 |
| 5 | Lucknow Super Giants | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.078 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.056 |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.733 |
| 8 | Mumbai Indians | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.010 |
| 9 | Chennai Super Kings | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -0.889 |
| 10 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.629 |
Can CSK Still Qualify for IPL 2025 Playoffs?
Yes, CSK can still qualify for the playoffs, but they’ve got very little room for mistakes now. With just 2 points from their first 5 matches, they’ll probably need to win at least 6 or 7 of their remaining 9 games to stay in the race. Teams need around 16 points to make it into the top four. CSK also needs to increase their net run rate.
The good news is, as the tournament goes on and pitches get slower, CSK’s spinners could become more effective. Their batters need to step up and put up good scores.
►CSK needs 6 wins to reach 14 points, but 7 wins (16 points) would be safer.
►CSK must win against KKR, RR, and PBKS to stay in the playoff race.
►CSK’s win against GT or DC could change everything.
►Improve Net Run Rate: Aim for big wins whenever possible.
ALSO READ: DC vs RCB – Faf du Plessis Injury Update: Will the Star Batter Make His Comeback?
