Not meditation or breathwork, THIS is the most powerful form of spirituality
IPL 2025 Playoffs Race: Can CSK Still Qualify with Just Two Wins in Nine Matches?
Chennai Super Kings’ playoff hopes hang by a thread after suffering their seventh defeat in nine matches, falling to Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets at their home ground. With just 4 points and the lowest Net Run Rate in the tournament, the defending champions face an unprecedented challenge in their IPL history.
Current Standing and Qualification Scenario
CSK’s Current Position
- Points: 4 from 9 matches
- Position: 10th (bottom) on points table
- Net Run Rate: -1.302 (lowest among all teams)
- Gap from 4th place: 6 points behind Mumbai Indians
IPL 2025 Points Table Analysis
| Position | Team | Points | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans | 12 | 8 |
| 2 | Delhi Capitals | 12 | 9 |
| 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 12 | 9 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians | 10 | 9 |
Remaining Fixtures for CSK
Chennai Super Kings must win all their remaining five matches:
- vs Punjab Kings (Chennai)
- vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Bengaluru)
- vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Kolkata)
- vs Rajasthan Royals (Jaipur)
- vs Gujarat Titans (Ahmedabad)
Qualification Challenges
Key Obstacles
- Must win all remaining matches
- Need favorable results from other teams
- Poor Net Run Rate needs significant improvement
- Qualification mark likely higher than last season’s 14 points
Historical Context
This situation is particularly notable as CSK has never missed playoffs in consecutive seasons when participating in the IPL. The team’s current position marks a significant departure from their traditional performance, where they’ve consistently been strong contenders in the playoff race.
Team’s Approach
MS Dhoni has indicated that the team will approach the remainder of the tournament one game at a time while maintaining hope. The team’s experience in handling pressure situations could be crucial in their attempt to achieve what would be a remarkable turnaround in IPL history.
Path to Qualification
For CSK to qualify, they need:
- Win all remaining 5 matches to reach 14 points
- Significant improvement in Net Run Rate
- Other teams in 4th-8th positions to lose key matches
- Maintain perfect execution in all remaining games
Looking Ahead
While the path to qualification is extremely challenging, CSK’s rich history and experience in pressure situations make them a team that cannot be completely written off. The next few matches will be crucial in determining whether they can achieve what would be one of the most remarkable comebacks in IPL history.
About The Author
