It’s the tip of the highway for Chennai Tremendous Kings within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The five-time champions, as soon as synonymous with consistency and dominance, turned the primary group to be formally eradicated from the playoffs after succumbing to a crushing four-wicket defeat at dwelling in opposition to the Punjab Kings on Wednesday, April 30.
Sam Curran’s heroics not sufficient as CSK faces elimination
Regardless of posting a aggressive complete of 190, CSK’s brittle bowling assault didn’t defend the rating, permitting Punjab to chase it down in 19.4 overs on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. CSK’s solely vibrant spot got here within the type of Sam Curran’s blistering 88 off simply 47 balls. The England all-rounder arrived on the crease with the group struggling at 38/3 and produced one of many most interesting knocks of the season, peppered with aggressive strokeplay and fearless counterattack. His effort, nevertheless, proved in useless as no different batter stayed lengthy sufficient to help him.
The early dismissals of openers Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre, adopted by Ravindra Jadeja’s tame outing at No. 4, left CSK reeling. Curran’s resistance helped them cross 180, however Chahal’s over-erase erased their momentum. However, CSK’s bowling unit as soon as once more lacked penetration and self-discipline. Aside from Khaleel Ahmed’s early wicket, the assault regarded toothless. Matheesha Pathirana, anticipated to be the X-factor, was a shadow of his previous self, leaking 45 runs in 4 overs and failing to offer breakthroughs when wanted most. The absence of strategic readability and the fading Dhoni aura meant that CSK couldn’t capitalize even on beneficial circumstances, minimal dew, respectable pitch, and residential help.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick and PBKS’ medical chase led by Shreyas Iyer
Whereas CSK’s elimination made headlines, the match itself belonged to Chahal and Punjab. Chahal’s gorgeous nineteenth over proved to be the final word turning level. The leg-spinner claimed 4 wickets in an over, together with a hat-trick, beginning with the dismissal of MS Dhoni himself. He then despatched again Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmed, limiting CSK to 190 all out in 19.2 overs, regardless of their promising place at 182/5.
That medical bowling effort arrange the proper chase for Punjab. The duo of Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh led from the entrance. After the early dismissal of Priyansh Arya, the pair stitched collectively a commanding 72-run stand that took the sting out of CSK’s bowling. Prabhsimran continued his constant run within the match with a fluent 54 off 36 balls, offering momentum within the center overs. Nevertheless it was Shreyas Iyer’s elegant 72 off 41 deliveries, laced with 4 sixes and 5 boundaries, that held the innings collectively. He paced his knock expertly, taking calculated dangers and anchoring the chase until the nineteenth over.
Even after Prabhsimran’s dismissal, the incoming Shashank Singh (23 off 12) ensured Punjab maintained the tempo, including two essential sixes that stored the stress on CSK’s bowlers. Regardless of just a few late wickets, the end result was by no means really doubtful, leaving the packed Chepauk crowd disillusioned.
Chepauk now not a fortress for Chennai Tremendous Kings
The once-formidable Chepauk has become a graveyard for CSK’s hopes. This newest loss marked their fifth defeat at dwelling within the ongoing season, an unthinkable statistic for a aspect that prided itself on its near-invincibility on this floor. From being a feared opponent in Chennai, CSK have stumbled to the underside of the desk, managing simply two wins in ten matches, making this their most underwhelming season because the disastrous 2020 and 2022 campaigns.
The group’s downward trajectory has been each steep and relentless. After lacking out on the playoffs in 2020 and ending ninth in 2022, their IPL 2025 journey has plummeted even additional. MS Dhoni’s return to captaincy, after Ruturaj Gaikwad was dominated out on account of an elbow harm, did little to reverse fortunes. The 43-year-old legend, who handed over management to Gaikwad forward of IPL 2024, as soon as once more stepped up, however the group didn’t rally round him. Dhoni’s legacy, after all, stays untouched: 5 IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) and two Champions League T20 trophies make him one of the vital adorned leaders within the match’s historical past. But, this season marks maybe essentially the most humbling chapter of CSK’s storied journey.
Additionally READ: Fans go gaga as Yuzvendra Chahal’s magical hat-trick stuns CSK against Punjab Kings at Chepauk in IPL 2025
Right here’s how followers reacted:
The way in which CSK retains dropping many times, it seems like my luck is cursed.
— Foolish Level (@FarziCricketer) April 30, 2025
No concept what hex we’re beneath or who we have pissed off, however we have by no means had a season this dangerous, ever. IPL ’25 has been an absolute catastrophe for CSK, Mann.
That is palms down the worst, most depressing season in our historical past. Simply get the IPL last with and finish this nightmare already.
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) April 30, 2025
That is the primary time CSK has misplaced 5 matches at Chepauk in a single season pic.twitter.com/UJKP0q4Qyh
— 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐬𝐌𝐒𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐧™ (@Itzshreyas07) April 30, 2025
CSK Formally Out of the Match !!
Comeback Stronger Subsequent Season 💛 pic.twitter.com/2Bgzj1n46u
— Ayyappan (@Ayyappan_1504) April 30, 2025
Pathirana is just not the prince that was promised.
— Vibhor (@Vibhor4CSK) April 30, 2025
Csk ought to dissolve themself for giving chahal a hattrick. You have got finished 1,000,000 issues mistaken this season this nevertheless is the worst
— Tabrez (@tabrezdont) April 30, 2025
A Shreyas masterclass was due from a while and he does that in an enormous chase.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) April 30, 2025
This season is even worse than 2016 and 2017.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) April 30, 2025
CSK have been in good positions in lots of video games however by no means have grabbed the massive moments within the video games.
For me, might be that look on Dube’s face when Hooda gave him the only however he did not need the strike.
You do not wish to win, you will not win! Loads of classes for CSK in #IPL2025
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 30, 2025
CSK’s IPL 2025 marketing campaign involves an finish by the hands of Punjab Kings.
They turn out to be the primary group to be eradicated from the playoff race this season. 💔#Cricket #CSK #ChennaiSuperKings #MSDhoni #IPL #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/sqipUbXA8p
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 30, 2025
Additionally READ: IPL 2025: RJ Mahvash breaks the internet with her remark on Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick against CSK
