Can MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings still qualify for IPL 2025 playoffs? Here’s all you need to know
New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings’ poor performance casts significant doubt on their IPL playoff hopes. Their recent loss to Kolkata Knight Riders leaves them tenth in the standings with only two points from six games and a negative net run rate. To reach the playoffs, they need a dramatic improvement in their remaining eight matches, as sixteen points are typically needed to secure a playoff spot.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s unexpected playoff berth last season followed a poor start, where they lost seven of their first eight games. Despite this, they ultimately secured fourth place with 14 points from 14 matches.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) still have a slim chance of reaching the playoffs. This requires them to win all their remaining games and also depend on favorable outcomes in other matches.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) need to win their remaining matches to reach 16 points from 14 games in the group stage. However, even a 14-point total would leave them with a slim possibility of playoff qualification.
Following their recent loss to KKR, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are experiencing a five-game losing streak. CSK’s interim captain, MS Dhoni, commented on the reasons for the team’s defeat in their 25th match of the tournament.
“It has been quite a few nights that have not gone our way. The challenge has been there, we have to accept the challenge. Today, I felt we did not have enough runs on the board. It has been the case over there; when we bowled in the 2nd innings, it stopped a bit. Today, it did in the first innings. When you lose too many wickets, there is pressure and with quality spinners, it is difficult. We never got any partnerships, and a bit more partnerships, application, and we would be fine. What is important is to see the conditions,” MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation.
The wicketkeeper-batter emphasized the importance of a stronger performance from the middle order, suggesting that without it, the team’s chances of winning this season are significantly reduced.
“We have done a couple of games decently well, so back your strengths and play the shots you can play. Not match to someone’s else play. Our openers are good openers, play authentic cricket shots, they don’t slog or look to hit across the line. It is important not to get desperate seeing the scorecard. If we start looking for 60 with our lineup, it will be very difficult for us. Get partnerships going, maybe capitalise in the middle and later overs, and if we lose wickets, the middle order has to do their job differently. And the slog will be delayed for quite a while,” the 43-year-old player added.
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