Chennai Super Kings (CSK) find themselves in a precarious position in IPL 2025 after a demoralizing nine-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. With just 4 points in their kitty and sitting at the bottom of the points table, CSK’s chances of making the playoffs now depend on a combination of their own perfect run and favourable results elsewhere.
Current Situation:
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Points: 4
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Matches played: 8
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Remaining matches: 6
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Maximum possible points: 16
What CSK needs to do:
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Win all 6 remaining matches
This would take their tally to 16 points — a total that historically has kept teams in contention for the playoffs, though not guaranteed qualification. -
Improve Net Run Rate (NRR)
Not only must CSK win, but they must win convincingly. Their NRR has taken a major hit after the Mumbai defeat, so big-margin wins are crucial in case multiple teams finish at 14 or 16 points. -
Hope for other results to go their way
CSK would need:-
Multiple teams to finish below 16 points.
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At least two current mid-table teams to lose 3–4 of their remaining games.
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One or more teams to stagnate at 12–14 points, opening up a slot in the top four.
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Match Recap: MI vs CSK
CSK posted a respectable 176/5, thanks to half-centuries from Shivam Dube (50 off 32) and *Ravindra Jadeja (53 off 35)**. Youngster Ayush Mhatre also impressed with a 15-ball 32.
But their bowling unit had no answers for Mumbai’s power-packed chase. Rohit Sharma (76)* and Suryakumar Yadav (68)* stitched a dominant 114-run stand, finishing the game with ease and handing CSK a morale-damaging loss.
Final Word:
It’s now do-or-die for MS Dhoni’s side. Six wins from six games is a steep task, but CSK has pulled off miracles in the past. If they fix their middle-order and bowling inconsistencies, a late playoff push isn’t off the cards — but the margin for error is officially zero.
