Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) nightmare run in IPL 2025 continued as they suffered another crushing defeat — this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground, Chepauk. With this loss, CSK has now dropped seven of their nine matches and sits at the bottom of the points table with just 4 points. While many have written off CSK’s playoff hopes, technically, there’s still a sliver of a chance. Let’s understand how Dhoni’s men could still pull off a miracle.

What CSK Must Do to Qualify for the Playoffs

Despite the heartbreaking defeat to SRH on April 25, CSK’s playoff door isn’t entirely closed — but the task ahead is Herculean:

• Win All Remaining Matches:
  CSK must win all their remaining 5 matches. Only a perfect streak will keep their faint hopes alive.
• Reach 14 Points:
  Winning five matches would give CSK 14 points, which could be enough to sneak into the top-4 — but there's a catch.
• Depend on Other Teams:
  Even if CSK reaches 14 points, playoff qualification won't be guaranteed. They will heavily depend on the outcomes of other teams' matches.
• Massively Improve Net Run Rate (NRR):
  CSK’s current NRR stands at a disastrous -1.302, the worst among all teams. They will need big wins to boost this figure and stay competitive in case of a points tie.

Context from Last Season:
In IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) qualified for the playoffs with 14 points after edging out others due to a superior NRR. CSK will hope for a similar miracle, but it’s a steep climb given their current form and negative run rate.

CSK’s Season of Struggles

CSK's 2025 campaign started promisingly with a win over Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk. However, what followed was a disaster:

• Five Straight Losses:
  CSK lost five consecutive matches after their opening win, sinking quickly to the bottom of the table.
• Inconsistent Performances:
  After briefly reviving hope with a victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), CSK again faltered in back-to-back matches.
• Complete Batting Collapse:
  CSK’s batting lineup — traditionally their strength — has been a major disappointment. Openers failed to provide solid starts, while the middle order collapsed repeatedly under pressure.
• Bowling Struggles:
  CSK’s bowlers have also been ineffective, failing to defend modest totals or put the opposition under pressure.
• Dhoni’s Magic Missing:
  Even MS Dhoni’s presence — once enough to lift the team — has not been able to spark a turnaround this season.

Final Word

Chennai Super Kings now find themselves in a position where they need nothing short of a miracle to stay alive in IPL 2025. Every match from here is a must-win, and even that might not be enough. For Dhoni, CSK, and their fans, the road ahead is steep — but where there’s hope, there’s still a fight.