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Chennai Super Kings have been officially knocked out of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 following a tense four-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at Chepauk. This marks an unprecedented back-to-back playoff exit for the five-time champions. Once hailed for their consistency, CSK now faces a period of tough introspection. The defeat continues a winless streak at home, raising serious questions about the team’s future core.
CSK’s IPL 2025 season hits a new low
The loss to PBKS confirmed CSK’s early elimination from IPL 2025, making them the first team to exit the playoff race. It’s the first time in history that the franchise has failed to qualify for two straight seasons. Despite starting with a win over the Mumbai Indians, CSK have lost every home game since. Their last three games have all ended in heavy defeats, exposing serious flaws in the squad. Key players have underperformed, and age seems to be catching up with the core group. The once-formidable Chepauk fortress has been breached repeatedly without resistance. MS Dhoni’s side now shifts focus to salvaging pride in their remaining matches. They face old rivals RCB next, hoping to spoil their playoff hopes and exit the season with dignity
5 players CSK should release from their current IPL 2025 squad
1. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, once a vital cog in CSK’s wheel, has delivered a disappointing campaign in IPL 2025 despite being bought for a staggering INR 9.75 crore at the mega auction. His performance this season has been abysmal, just 5 wickets to his name at a poor bowling average of 45 and an economy rate of 9.3. Once regarded as a powerplay specialist, Ashwin’s returns with the new ball have been the worst in the league this year, averaging a staggering 98 while leaking runs at over 12 per over. The dip in his effectiveness has been so stark that he was dropped mid-season before being reintroduced against the Mumbai Indians. At 38 years old and approaching 39 before the next edition, Ashwin’s best years are clearly behind him. Retaining him further not only blocks a crucial Indian spot but also ties up almost INR 10 crore money that can be used more wisely on younger, in-form talent. Releasing him appears to be both a financial and cricketing necessity.
2. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda’s season with CSK has been nothing short of a disaster. In a batting unit desperate for stability and acceleration in the middle order, Hooda managed just 31 runs in five innings. His strike rate of 75.61 is alarmingly low for modern T20 standards, effectively killing any momentum CSK tried to build during the middle overs. An average of 6.20 across those innings highlights his repeated failures despite multiple chances. Although he batted lower down the order, that cannot justify his inability to contribute meaningfully. What’s worse, Hooda’s poor returns aren’t just a one-season anomaly barring one good IPL year, he has failed to average over 18.20 in any of the last five seasons. Purchased for INR 1.70 crore, he has offered little to no return on investment and remains a burden on CSK’s already struggling batting order. His release feels long overdue.
Also READ: Fans react as Punjab Kings knocks out five-time champion CSK from the IPL 2025
3. Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi was expected to bring experience and aggression to CSK’s top order, but his performances in IPL 2025 have made him one of the biggest disappointments of the season. Across five matches, Tripathi has managed just 55 runs from 57 balls translating to a strike rate of 96.49, which is simply not good enough in T20 cricket. His batting average of 11.00 reveals that even when he gets starts, he’s unable to convert them into impactful scores. More troubling is the way his inability to anchor or accelerate innings has hurt CSK’s game tempo. Tripathi’s shuffle across different batting positions also created instability in the lineup, as he failed to find a rhythm or role that suited him. At INR 3.40 crore, he’s consuming a significant chunk of CSK’s purse without delivering on the expectations. Considering his decline in form and lack of clarity in his role, the franchise should consider moving on.
4. Matheesha Pathirana
CSK’s INR 13 crore investment in Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana once looked like a masterstroke. However, in IPL 2025, the death-over specialist has seen a steep decline. Since returning from a hamstring injury in 2024, Pathirana has lacked the same menace and accuracy. This season, he picked up 9 wickets but at a high average of 33.11 and an economy of 10.39 numbers that pale in comparison to his previous returns of 32 wickets at an average of 16.87 and economy under 8 across IPL 2023 and 2024. With CSK’s bowling already under pressure, Pathirana’s ineffectiveness has only added to their death-over woes. Releasing him would free up INR 13 crore, giving CSK the flexibility to pursue better or more consistent overseas pacers. While a buyback at a lower price remains an option, Pathirana’s current value does not justify retention at such a hefty sum.
5. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra entered the IPL 2025 season with significant expectations, especially after his international heroics for New Zealand. However, CSK struggled to utilize him effectively, and Rachin failed to adapt to the T20 demands of the tournament. His performances lacked consistency, with underwhelming contributions both with the bat and ball. In a league where every overseas slot is precious, Rachin’s impact was minimal, he neither anchored the top order nor served as a reliable all-rounder. His left-arm spin was underused, and his batting often faltered under pressure. While the potential is undoubtedly there, CSK simply couldn’t extract enough value from him this season. Given his price tag and the competition for overseas spots, it might be wiser for the franchise to release Rachin and explore alternative options with more proven T20 credentials.
