CSK vs SRH: Can a win keep Chennai Super Kings alive in IPL 2025?

Approach the most optimistic person you know and discuss the run of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. Chances are, the optimism will fade when questioned if CSK could still make it to the playoffs. The five-time champions have managed just two victories in the ongoing season across eight matches. Only six fixtures remain as Chennai sits at the bottom of the points table with the worst net run rate among all 10 teams. Mathematically, the former champions are still in contention to qualify for the playoffs. Practically, CSK is all but ruled out of the season as soon as the league stage concludes. However, with the CSK vs SRH IPL 2025 match lined up next, let's take a look at whether Chennai can still survive in the race.

Can CSK hope for a revival in IPL 2025?

It would take a wonder, something like the team, across 17 seasons, has not pulled off yet, to make a comeback in IPL 2025. This is the same CSK that survived 2010 and made a dramatic entry into the playoffs before claiming the title. The same Chennai Super Kings that were ousted from the top four for the first time in 2020, in a league that debuted in 2008. The same CSK that won the IPL 2018 title with a squad tagged as a group of 'oldies' after returning from a two-year ban in 2016 and 2017. Naturally, these unbelievable achievements often push fans to credit CSK as the 'Comeback Super Kings.' However, IPL 2025 seems to have eclipsed the mark from where CSK could have pulled things back.

When Wankhede hosted CSK for the second chapter of 'El Clasico' in IPL 2025, the MI vs CSK match, Chennai still had hope alive. However, that hope was crushed comprehensively by their arch-rivals as Mumbai Indians beat them by nine wickets to avenge the defeat in the campaign opener. With a batting order that has consistently failed and shows no signs of redemption, CSK seems to be in a puddle too deep.

All six defeats so far in IPL 2025 have come with margins big enough to drag the NRR down to -1.39. A win alone won’t ensure a return for the five-time champions this season. From here on, if CSK is still banking on the mathematical equation for qualification, every win must come convincingly. But the bigger challenge remains, Chennai must win all their remaining six league-stage matches.

How can Chennai Super Kings qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs?

With just two victories in eight outings, the five-time champions remain rooted to the bottom of the table with only four points. In the previous season, despite finishing with seven wins, CSK failed to qualify as Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged them out on net run rate. In a ten-team format, a minimum of eight wins is generally required to secure a playoff berth without relying on NRR. For CSK, that means nothing short of six consecutive wins from here on can guarantee them a spot in the top four.

Even if they manage six wins, CSK will need a dramatic improvement in their net run rate. They kicked off their season with a promising win over Mumbai Indians at home but have been unable to sustain momentum. Once considered ever-present in the top four, CSK are now battling to avoid a rare bottom-table finish. Their worst previous showings came in 2020 and 2022, when they placed seventh and ninth respectively.

Despite the dire situation, all is not lost for the side led by MS Dhoni. With six matches still to play, Chennai Super Kings can reach a maximum of 16 points, a tally that has historically been enough to enter the playoffs in the expanded league format. In fact, RCB qualified with 14 points just last season, offering a glimmer of hope. To stay alive in the tournament, CSK must now approach every fixture as a do-or-die encounter. Addressing batting slumps and executing tight bowling strategies will be key if they’re to script a remarkable comeback and keep their playoff dreams alive.

CSK vs SRH IPL 2025 match: The perfect chance for Chennai to bring the campaign back on track

Meanwhile, lined up next is the CSK vs SRH IPL 2025 match. The fixture pits them against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have endured a similarly disappointing run this season. In seven matches, SRH has managed just two victories and are placed near CSK, at ninth on the points table. With a batting lineup struggling to reclaim their fiery form, SRH could prove the team that serves as a stepping stone for CSK.

 Moreover, with the fixture scheduled at Chepauk, the hopes of Hyderabad batters to go big will likely be halted again. It will be a battle at the bottom of the table. However, for CSK to realistically hope for six wins from here, SRH appears to be the ideal opponent to challenge if they want to leave the bottom and let the revival begin somewhere.