IPL 2025: 3 Reasons why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) didn’t reach playoffs

Chennai Super Kings, regarded as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, had an inconsistent IPL 2025 season, getting eliminated mid-way through the competition without making it to the playoffs.

Unfortunately, CSK emerged as the first team to bow out and get knocked out of the playoffs race this season. But what exactly went wrong for the MS Dhoni-led franchise in the IPL 2025 season? 

Despite drafting a few young batters, the Chennai-based franchise couldn’t seal a spot in the playoffs. On that note, let’s take a look at three reasons why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) didn’t reach the playoffs in the IPL 2025 season.

3 Reasons why Chennai Super Kings (CSK) didn’t reach playoffs

1. Poor mega auction strategy

CSK had relatively poor auction strategy in the IPL 2025 mega auction, buying players like Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra and Ravichandran Ashwin. Interestingly, Ashwin was priced at INR 9.75 Crore by CSK.

Eventually, they had to settle for players like Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran and Khaleel Ahmed in the later stages of the auction. Ashwin, who scalped 42 wickets in 57 games from IPL 2021 to 2024, was bid heavily by the Chennai-based franchise raising eyebrows.

Instead, CSK should’ve gone behind some in-form players, who could’ve changed the complexion of the tournament for their franchise. Bowlers like Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj also didn’t live up to the expectations.

2. Pouring INR 18 Crore for Ravindra Jadeja’s retention

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, CSK retained Ravndra Jadeja for INR 18 Crore, which hampered the franchise heavily at the auction table. Notably, Jadeja has been part of the franchise since 2011 and he rejoined when the team returned in 2018.

Unfortunately, Jadeja couldn’t live up to the expectations, scoring less than 300 runs and scalping only single digit wickets for the franchise in the IPL 2025 season, not justifying his hefty price tag.

3. Batting failure & overdependence on ageing players

CSK failed to create an impact with its top-order and middle-order batting picks like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar. Though they roped in players like Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis and Urvil Patel, it was too late for the franchise to bring into the playing XI.

In the fast paced T20 environment, Tripathi, Hooda and Shankar failed to live up to the expectations. Moreover, overseas batters like Rachin Ravindra also couldn’t disturb the opposition bowlers.

Moreover, aged players like MS Dhoni and Ravi Ashwin have been carried by the franchise, but the returns have been pretty nominal. With the IPL 2025 season concluded for CSK, they would be aiming to come back stronger in IPL 2026 with a better approach.

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