IPL 2025: 3 Expensive CSK signings who turned out to be major flops

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a shocking IPL 2025 campaign, finishing in last place with just eight points from 14 games and a net run rate of -0.647. One of the most successful franchises in IPL history, with five titles over 18 years, CSK’s underwhelming performance left their fans disappointed and frustrated. 

Even at their fortress, Chepauk, where they are usually dominant, they were outplayed by opponents. Despite having top players in their squad, CSK failed to deliver.

Here are the three expensive CSK signings who turned out to be major flops in IPL 2025:

Ruturaj Gaikwad

CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was retained for INR 18 Crore. He had a difficult start to the season as captain, scoring only 122 runs in five matches, including two fifties. 

His campaign was cut short after he suffered an elbow injury against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Ayush Mhatre replaced him in the squad, and MS Dhoni took over the captaincy duties.

Ravichandran Ashwin 

Ravichandran Ashwin’s much-anticipated homecoming to CSK didn’t go as planned. The franchise spent INR 9.75 Crore at the mega auction to bring him back to where his IPL journey began. Ashwin had earlier represented CSK from 2009 to 2015. 

However, this season turned out to be a disappointment, as he failed to meet expectations. In nine games, he picked up just seven wickets and scored only 33 runs across four innings.

Devon Conway

CSK re-signed New Zealand opener Devon Conway for INR 6.75 Crore ahead of the season. Although Conway had struggled with consistency recently, CSK showed faith in him after his successful stint with the team in 2022 and 2023, especially in the 2023 season, where he scored 672 runs in 15 innings. 

Due to an injury, he missed the while IPL 2024. But in IPL 2025, he failed to deliver, managing just 156 runs in six innings, including two fifties. That inconsistency at the top has created issues for him, as well as for the team, as that has prevented them from getting a blistering start on most occasions.

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