Chennai Super Kings - A Falling Empire
A Falling Empire
There was a time when, the biggest cricketing league in the world, i.e. “The Indian Premier League” was termed as a tournament, where, 7 teams were participating to play the final against mighty “Chennai Super Kings”. Well that was clearly true. As the record suggest, before 2016, when they got out of ipl for serving 2 years of ban, they had qualified for playoffs in every season (2008-15), 8 seasons in total. Out of which, they had played “The Final” 6 times and had won twice.
Even after making their comeback in 2018, once again they showed their worth in the tournament. While no one was really backing them, calling them the dad’s army due to age factor. They made back to back finals in 2018 & 19, and proved them wrong by winning the title in comeback season. In 2020, during co-vid they failed to reach playoffs for the first time. That was a new experience for the most consistent side in the league and for their fans.
But they promised and made a stunning comeback in next season in 2021. Won the trophy and told the world, why they are so special. Then came the mega auction, and CSK had to rebuild their squad. Which affected them heavily. The squad couldn’t performed up to the expectations and resulted in another horrible season. The challenge was bigger, as there were two new teams added. But there is a reason we often term them as comeback super kings.
2023 saw another super comeback story from the super kings. They equaled the 5 times title winner Mumbai Indians, by winning their 5th title at “Narendra Modi Stadium”, against the defending champions, Gujrat Titans. That was a moment for lifetime for every CSK & MS Dhoni fan. Almost everyone felt that, this is the moment for a grand farewell, for one of the biggest icon in the ipl and Indian cricket, MS Dhoni.
But, he surprised everyone, by not announcing the retirement and wishing to play few more seasons for his fans. Well, fans were happy and waited for their hero, for next season. Well, MS is still representing CSK in 2025 also. Leadership role has changed, CSK have looked into future. But, Chepauk’s adopted son is still the go to man for them. In the absence of regular captain, Ruturaj Gaekwad, once again the leadership has given to the big man. But, this time nothing is going their way.
2024 was still okay with new captain and mid table finish. It was just a matter of few NRR. Although that was something CSK and their followers aren’t used to. They have witnessed extreme high and low, not anything in between. But, previous season made that happen. But, here 2025 is resulting in their worst season. They have managed to win just 2 games out of 9. For the first ever time, they have lost 5 consecutive games and also have lost 3 games on the trot at their den Chepauk. Currently placed at bottom of the points table.
They started well against the mighty MI Paltan, but couldn’t get going. Even when MS got the leadership nothing changed drastically. Well, it looks very poor, especially when we talk about a team like CSK. But, it was clearly visible from the auction itself that this is going to be a challenging season for the yellow army. Their tried and tested formula looked outdated. And they haven’t moved on from the old school T20 cricket, which is costing them now.
Well, the veteran captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a strong believer of process and percentage cricket, have always been the same with his thinking. And it has worked really well for him and his side more often. But, with more no of teams and the change in approach towards T20 cricket, perhaps over shadowed the traditional way. Well, it’s a shame that, they haven’t even played the percentage cricket.
They lacked almost in every department apart from some individual bowling performances. Neither their batting clicked, nor their fielding. And their formula of backing to out of form players, making full use of their experience, like Dube, Robin, Moeen or Rahane etc. in previous seasons, have flopped heavily this time around. Players like Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda couldn’t able to turn their fortune.
Adding to that, the expected ones in Ruturaj (before getting injured), Rachin, Conway, Dube, and Jadeja all have been heavily inconsistent. Also the lack of intent is a huge concern for them in ongoing season. They are the side with lowest no of 6s in the powerplay in this season till now. The fielding hasn’t supported the bowling, is another reason for this horrible season. In total, nothing has gone right for csk this time.
The most heartbreaking part of this entire thing is, MS Dhoni, captain of CSK an all-time great in IPL is now getting all the hates and his legacy is being questioned. Well, these entire issues aren’t his fault. But, somehow he is involved in it. As we know, CSK means MS Dhoni, which isn’t the case with other 9 teams. The legacy of CSK, this empire is built by him. But it looks, it is falling now. It’s almost done and dusted for them in this season now.
Whether he will be there for next season or not, we have no idea. But it seems that, he has taken the eye towards rebuilding the side. Players like Shaikh Rasheed, Ayush Mahtre, and Dewald Brevis are already debuted for CSK, which isn’t their way of thinking. Bowling department is still okay with Noor, Khaleel and Anshul’s presence. Just that little spark needed, which may come in remaining matches. And, we can just hope for that.
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