For the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League, the mighty Chennai Super Kings have finished dead last. Despite ending their campaign on a high note — with a thumping 83-run victory over Gujarat Titans — the five-time champions could not escape the ignominy of finishing at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. (Match Highlights)
This marks an unprecedented low for the franchise that has been the most consistent side in IPL history. Prior to this, CSK’s worst performance had come in 2022, when they finished ninth in a 10-team league.
Even in the troubled 2020 season, they ended second-last. But in 2025, there was no redemption. A season of misfires, outdated strategies, and an underwhelming core saw them crash to their lowest-ever finish.
The decline of Chennai Super Kings this season was as startling as it was sobering. After a promising start — including a memorable win over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the "El Clasico" — CSK lost momentum and never recovered.
A recurring theme in their defeats was the complete misfiring of the top order, a concern that wasn’t addressed throughout the season.
Their batting approach looked like a relic from an older era of T20s. In a season that saw teams like Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings routinely post 200+ scores, CSK struggled to keep up with the times.
Ironically, it was two all-rounders, Shivam Dube (357 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (301 runs), who emerged as their top scorers — a telling stat that highlighted the failures of their specialist batters.
On the bowling front, Afghan wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad was the lone bright spot, claiming 24 wickets. The senior pros — Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and even Matheesha Pathirana — had little impact.
The fielding, a traditional CSK strength, also fell below par, something MS Dhoni openly lamented in the post-match presentation.
Ironically, CSK saved their most dominant performance for last — a match that had little consequence for them but major ramifications for their opponents. Facing Gujarat Titans in their final game, CSK posted a season-best total of 230/5, powered by a fearless and breathtaking innings from 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre.
The teenager’s display of clean hitting was a glimpse of the future CSK might build toward. The bowling unit then delivered in unison, skittling out the Titans for 147 in 18.3 overs, effectively ending GT’s hopes of a top-two finish in IPL 2025.
