New Delhi: With their play-off hopes all but over, Chennai Super Kings need a miracle to stay alive in the Indian Premier League 2025. Ahead of their do-or-die clash against the Punjab Kings today (April 30, Wednesday), the points table tells a sorry story about the disastrous campaign of the five-time champions.
Languishing at the bottom of the table with just two wins out of nine games, CSK will be knocked out of the tournament if they lose against fifth-placed PBKS at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
CSK’s desperate fight for IPL 2025 playoff berth
There is very little hope of survival for the IPL giants. Even if CSK win their remaining five matches (a highly unlikely outcome based on their form and unsettled team combination), and other results go their way, there is no guarantee of progression to the play-offs.
But sometimes, when things look bleak, the past can instil hope for the future, and even rivals can be a source of inspiration.
The Super Kings find themselves in the exact same perilous position Royal Challengers Bengaluru were in the 2024 edition. The Challengers endured a horror start to the 2024 campaign, losing seven of their first nine matches, nearing an imminent exit.
Inspiration from RCB’s 2024 comeback: A blueprint for CSK?
Not even the staunchest of supporters gave RCB a chance to qualify for the play-offs.
But with odds heavily staked against them, Challengers did what no other team had managed in the history of IPL. The Faf du Plessis-led team didn’t lose hope; in fact, they gathered themselves and went for the jugular to claim an unprecedented six wins in a row.
Of course, their cause was helped by other results that went their way. But no one remembers that. The 2024 season is remembered for the courage and fight shown by the Challengers.
Will the 2025 edition go down in history as the year that witnessed one of the greatest comeback stories?
Chennai, with nothing to lose, must shed all inhibitions, take inspiration from the Challengers and play fearless cricket to give themselves an outside chance.
Can CSK produce a collective effort?
Their first hurdle is Punjab, an erratic yet much more balanced and strong unit, led by the young opening duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. For that to happen, CSK first need to get their line-ups right and choose a side that can take advantage of home conditions.
With four losses in five matches at home, CSK have failed to master the home conditions at the Chepauk, once the fortress of the Yellow Army.
All eyes will be on legendary MS Dhoni, operating as stand-in captain in place of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, to conjure his magic on the field. Despite struggling to field a winning combination, Dhoni is capable of performing extraordinary feats and odd-defying acts in high-pressure situations. But the players need to step up to the task, for the need of the hour for CSK is a collective effort of epic proportions.
CSK’s remaining fixtures
CSK vs PBKS on 30th April
RCB vs CSK on 3rd May
KKR vs CSK on 7th May
CSK vs RR on 12th May
GT vs CSK on 18th May
IPL 2025: Facing elimination, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) need a miracle to survive in the competition. Their faint hope rests on highly improbable series of victories, hope, belief and insipiration. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
