The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are known for their consistency, backing their players and bringing the best out of the players.
However, CSK delivered their worst performance ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. They managed only four wins and eight points out of 14 matches and hit rock bottom in the points table. The franchise struggled in all three, including batting, bowling and fielding.
In the powerplay, CSK's batting was the worst among all 10 teams. The batters averaged just 23.90 while striking at 137.50. They also registered the fewest sixes (19 sixes) across 14 games. Even their highest power-play score of 68 was the lowest. The struggles continued in the middle-order as they recordedthe third-lowest (27.53) average and second second-lowest (131.08) strike rate. In the death overs, traditionally, the strength, CSK were the slowest (155.80) and with the joint lowest fours.
All matches (32)Afghanistan National T20, 2025Australia tour of West Indies, Test, 2025Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka, 2025ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025India Under 19 tour of England, 2025India tour of England, Test, 2025Indonesia Women tour of Singapore, 2025Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, 2025KCC T20 Challengers B League Edition 3, 2025Major League Cricket, 2025New Zealand A Women tour of England, 2025St.Lucia T10 Blast, 2025Tamil Nadu Premier League, 2025
Result- t20- Afghanistan
Afghanistan National T20, 2025
MDS
163/8
PAL
167/7
Pamir Legends beat Maiwand Champions by 3 wickets
FixturesStandings
Live- t20- Afghanistan
Afghanistan National T20, 2025
HS
86/2
MPS
144/10
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- test- Saint George's
Australia tour of West Indies, Test, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 07:30 PM IST
WI
-
AUS
-
FixturesStandings
Live- oneday- Colombo
Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka, 2025
SL
226/7
BAN
-
Result- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
BSP
142/4
CCYMT
127/5
BCC Spartan beat CC Yullis-MU Trakia by 15 runs
FixturesStandings
Result- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
MAR
149/3
SOST
154/2
Sofia Stars beat MUS Akademik Ravens by 8 wickets
FixturesStandings
Result- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
CCYMT
120/7
SOST
122/1
Sofia Stars beat CC Yullis-MU Trakia by 9 wickets
FixturesStandings
Live- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
CCYMT
119/2
MAR
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
02 Jul 2025, 07:15 PM IST
SOST
-
BSP
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 11:15 AM IST
BSAS
-
SOST
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 01:15 PM IST
BMP
-
BSP
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 03:15 PM IST
BSP
-
SOST
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 05:15 PM IST
BMP
-
BSAS
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Sofia
ECS Bulgaria T10, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 07:15 PM IST
BSP
-
BSAS
-
FixturesStandings
Live- oneday- United Kingdom
India Under 19 tour of England, 2025
ENGU19
64/0
INDU19
-
FixturesStandings
Live- test- United Kingdom
India tour of England, Test, 2025
ENG
-
IND
98/2
FixturesStandings
Abandoned- t20- Singapore
Indonesia Women tour of Singapore, 2025
SIN-W
31/4
INA-W
-
Match Abandoned
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Singapore
Indonesia Women tour of Singapore, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 07:00 AM IST
SIN-W
-
INA-W
-
FixturesStandings
Live- t20- Magheramason
Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, 2025
MUR
170/6
NK
25/0
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Magheramason
Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, 2025
02 Jul 2025, 08:15 PM IST
NWW
-
LLG
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Magheramason
Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 03:15 PM IST
LLG
-
MUR
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Magheramason
Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 08:15 PM IST
NWW
-
NK
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Kuwait City
KCC T20 Challengers B League Edition 3, 2025
02 Jul 2025, 11:00 PM IST
PCR
-
THUB
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Kuwait City
KCC T20 Challengers B League Edition 3, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 10:00 PM IST
LEX
-
TGS
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Lauderhill
Major League Cricket, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 04:30 AM IST
TSKS
-
WAF
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Lauderhill
Major League Cricket, 2025
04 Jul 2025, 04:30 AM IST
LAKR
-
MINY
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- United Kingdom
New Zealand A Women tour of England, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 07:00 PM IST
ENGA-W
-
NZA-W
-
Upcoming- t10- Gros Islet
St.Lucia T10 Blast, 2025
02 Jul 2025, 09:30 PM IST
PTS
-
CBG
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Gros Islet
St.Lucia T10 Blast, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 12:00 AM IST
WTS
-
AMW
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Gros Islet
St.Lucia T10 Blast, 2025
03 Jul 2025, 09:30 PM IST
IYH
-
CBG
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t10- Gros Islet
St.Lucia T10 Blast, 2025
04 Jul 2025, 12:00 AM IST
PTS
-
AMW
-
FixturesStandings
Upcoming- t20- Dindigul
Tamil Nadu Premier League, 2025
02 Jul 2025, 07:15 PM IST
DID
-
TGC
-
FixturesStandings
Similar was the story in the bowling department. The CSK bowlers conceded runs at an economy of 9.58 and the second-most sixes (41) in the powerplay. But, they did well in the middle overs courtesy of chinaman Noor Ahmad's best-ever IPL season so far. However, their second-best bowler was Khaleel Ahmed, who managed just 15 wickets in 14 matches. Only four bowlers managed to take 10 or more wickets in the IPL 2025. Overall, they lack the wicket-taking ability hurts them badly.
In the second half of the cash-rich league, legendary MS Dhoni took over the reins from Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was ruled out due to injury. Despite him donning the captaincy hat, CSK's fortune didn't change. With a couple of matches remaining in the season, Dhoni hinted at potential shocking releases ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction. So, let's delve into the topic and find out some shocking releases that CSK can do ahead of the auction.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, who was retained for INR 18 Crores, had a very disappointing IPL 2025. Jadeja was promoted up the order and mainly batted at no. 4 or 5, but failed to live up to expectations. He couldn't build partnerships or score at a good strike rate. The southpaw managed 303 runs in the tournament at an average of 33.44 with two half-centuries, coming at the modest strike rate of 135.38.
On the bowling front, the 36-year-old managed just 10 wickets in the tournament at an economy of 8.56, despite playing the majority of the games on spin-friendly tracks at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The all-rounder has been a CSK legend, but his back-to-back poor outings with both bat and ball might lead CSK to part ways after 13 years together. Additionally, his advancing age and high price could also be major factors. Though his all-rounder skills will still be valuable, CSK has already started to look at the youngsters, having roped in Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis and Shaikh Rasheed.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned Jadeja's price tag and returns after the conclusion of IPL 2025.
"Correct. Jadeja is a fab player. Last two years-16 wickets in 27 matches. No fifty in a winning cause. Worth ₹18 Cr. Thank you," Aakash Chopra replied to a fan who said that the all-rounder had more Player of the Match awards than the number of matches that Chopra had played.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned to his maiden franchise, didn't have a perfect homecoming. The spinner was dropped from the playing XI after a series of poor performances. He took nine wickets in as many games at an average of 40.42 and an economy of 9.12.
The 38-year-old was also given a chance to bat ahead of MS Dhoni. But he managed just 33 runs in four innings at an average of 8.25 and a strike rate of 110. After an underwhelming return, the franchise might show him the exit door. With spin options already available, CSK would fancy their chances to invest in a young attacking spinner.
There are rumours of Ashwin being a part of a potential trade to Rajasthan Royals which will see Sanju Samson being traded in to CSK. Although there's no confirmation about this, Prasanna Raman, former RCB and South Africa analyst, who is a regular guest on Ashwin's podcast hinted at a potential trade between CSK and RR on Twitter.
Devon Conway
The third surprise release could be Devon Conway. Conway first made way for Rachin Ravindra in the national side, and then was dropped from the CSK lineup due to poor form. With the uncertainty over MS Dhoni's availability, CSK might seek another proven wicket-keeper.
Out of the three seasons, Conway played the entire season only once in 2023, when the side clinched the title. However, his recent struggles across all T20 leagues and a national side, CSK, might consider some other options. The southpaw batter managed 156 runs in six outings, averaging just 26, including a couple of fifties in the 2025 season. But he lacked the intent to hit sixes or boundaries in the powerplay, an area where CSK perform the worst.
Matheesha Pathirana
CSK expected their INR 13 Crore retention to replicate Dwayne Bravo with perfection, bowling slower balls and yorkers. But Pathirana delivered his worst season, managing just 13 scalps in 12 games at an average of 32.61. He leaked the runs at an economy of 10.13.
But the most frustrating part was his lack of rhythm and accuracy at the start of the spell. Almost every time he came into the attack, his first delivery was a wide ball. The Sri Lankan pacer bowled a total of 26 wides in this year's IPL alone.
With concerns over his fitness and availability every year and inconsistency, CSK might search for a more reliable death-over specialist. Nathan Ellis, who played just one game in IPL 2025, is known for his deceptive slower deliveries and sharp yorkers. If given the long run, Ellis could feel his void.