Chennai Super Kings endured another tough evening at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, falling short once again, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the 43rd league encounter of the IPL 2025 on April 25, CSK was invited to bat first after SRH skipper Pat Cummins won the toss. Struggling to find momentum, the hosts were bowled out for a modest 154 in 19.5 overs. Dewald Brevis offered some resistance with a brisk 42 off 25 balls, while young Ayush Mhatre impressed briefly with a 19-ball 30 but it was not enough to build a strong total.
The five-wicket loss marks the seventh defeat of CSK in this season, leaving the team anchored at the bottom of the points table with just four points to show. The match against SRH was a must-win clash for both the teams but CSK’s latest stumble has made their path to the playoffs almost impossible.
Mathematically, Chennai can still qualify if they win their remaining five matches by significant margins and if the points table unfolds in their favor. They would need to reach 14 points and hope that not more than three teams surpass that tally, relying heavily on a superior net run rate. However, the situation appears grim, with teams like Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru already nearing qualification with 12 points each, while Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants are also close behind with 10 points each.
Even a single further loss would officially eliminate the five-time champions from the playoff race.
Chennai’s upcoming fixtures present a daunting task. They face Punjab Kings on April 30 at Chepauk, hoping to avenge their earlier defeat against them this season. The road only gets tougher, with a trip to Bengaluru to face Royal Challengers on May 3, a clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on May 7, and a home meeting with Rajasthan Royals on May 12. Their final league match will see them take on table-toppers Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 18.
With little margin for error and a mountain to climb, CSK’s once-glorious campaign now reels on the brink and only a miracle can keep their playoff hopes alive.
