CSK Struggles in IPL 2025-Dhoni Speaks About Team's Troubles and the Future

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have had a terrible season in IPL 2025. They have won merely three out of their 12 games and sit at the bottom of the points table. For a team that has been so successful in the past under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, this season has been particularly tough. Dhoni, though in good form, has been poor in some aspects of his game, particularly against spin and pace bowling.

In CSK's match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Dhoni stayed till the end and played a key role in their win. While Shivam Dube starred with the bat, Dhoni smashed a six off the first ball of the 20th over, leading his team to victory. After the match, when asked about his retirement, Dhoni gave an open-ended response, thanking the crowd for their continued love and support. He admitted that, being 43 years old, playing for two months every year is very demanding physically. Dhoni also added that he still needs to determine if his body can endure the pressure in the next seasons.

Another of the largest challenges for CSK this year has been their inconsistency. Renowned for adhering to a rock-solid plan, CSK has been forced to change their lineup numerous times owing to dip in form and a string of defeats. Against KKR, another debutant, Urvil Patel, was brought into the team as the side continues to look for the perfect combination for the future. Dhoni, being as honest as ever, conceded that the team's woeful run of form had compelled them to make some adjustments, but he also insisted on practicability and finding out where things went wrong. He said that the team has to decide where each player will best fit in for next year, whether it is a batter or a bowler, depending on conditions.

The win against KKR was heavily constructed around Dewald Brevis' high-octane knock. The young South African played a key role in attacking the fast bowlers of KKR, even hitting a couple of boundaries off Sunil Narine, including a six. Brevis' aggressive batting in the middle overs allowed the team to focus on handling KKR's strong spin attack with less risk. Dhoni highlighted how Brevis' performance helped CSK keep the spinners out of the game, giving the team a much-needed advantage.

Dhoni and Dube had a very good partnership during the game, scoring 43 runs off 39 balls. Dube had a difficult season, but from this game one could see why CSK had continued to have faith in him. Dhoni explained that what was done with Dube was easy: it was to prevent giving wickets to KKR's spinners and keep the game under their control until the last overs. Dube took this tip well, striking two sixes that ensured a good run rate.

Even with the disappointing season, there are some encouraging signs for CSK to look forward to. In their last three matches, they have scored 190, 211, and 183, indicating improvement in their batting. In the game versus Punjab Kings, CSK were close to 200 runs in their score, and their pursuit of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was one of their bests this season. Their victory versus KKR put an end to a six-year jinx of not being able to chase down 180 and above.

New and young recruits entering the team, CSK is silently strengthening for the future. Dhoni emphasized that it's not only about the cricketing ability of the young players, but also their mental toughness and game sense. The team has been working on identifying players who can cope with pressure and make sound decisions in difficult situations. Dhoni feels that technique is important, but it is equally important to believe in the players' instincts and observe how they perform under actual match conditions.

The current season can be a challenging one for CSK, but the future looks bright. As the side continues to experiment with new players and prepare for the next three years, Dhoni is singularly committed to extracting the maximum from his team. Although this season cannot be the best season, the Super Kings are establishing the foundation for improved years ahead, with a mix of seasoned players and fresh faces coming into play.