Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK), one of the vital iconic franchises within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 historical past, are enduring a tricky time within the 2025 version of the event.
The five-time champions slumped to their third consecutive defeat, this time at their fortress – the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai – the place they have been outplayed by Delhi Capitals (DC). Regardless of favorable dwelling situations, CSK did not ship but once more, dropping the match by 25 runs in a one-sided contest that uncovered their struggling batting lineup.
Criticism emerges from inside as Ravichandran Ashwin’s channel turns into a speaking level
After the defeat, a stunning controversy erupted off the sphere, involving CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. A video, a couple of days earlier than the DC recreation, uploaded on Ashwin’s private YouTube channel featured three panelists discussing and dissecting the franchise’s ongoing points. Through the dialogue, one of many panelists criticized CSK’s choice to purchase Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad through the IPL 2025 mega-auction. The comment raised eyebrows, significantly as a result of Noor Ahmad is at present the main wicket-taker within the event, having already bagged 10 wickets. The panelist opined that CSK ought to have opted for a unique participant within the public sale, contemplating they already had skilled spinners like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja within the squad.
This PDogg Talked So A lot Trash on Ashwin’s YT Channel That They Had To Delete The Video 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/J31MPAfalp
— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) April 1, 2025
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming’s response
Through the post-match press convention, a reporter introduced up the viral video from Ashwin’s YouTube channel and requested Fleming whether or not such content material – particularly criticisms made on a participant’s private platform – may result in awkwardness or inside discomfort throughout the camp. The question caught the CSK head coach off-guard. At first, Fleming appeared confused by the query and admitted he wasn’t even conscious that Ashwin ran a YouTube channel. Nonetheless, the previous New Zealand captain maintained his composure and gave a light-hearted but clear response.
“Mate, I don’t know. I don’t even know he had a channel, so I don’t comply with that stuff,” Fleming remarked. He additional added, “That’s irrelevant. You guys are necessary,” pointing in the direction of the journalists and media current, subtly indicating that his focus stays on the workforce and official discourse, slightly than peripheral chatter.
Additionally READ: MS Dhoni registers an unwanted record as CSK falls short against DC in IPL 2025
Ashwin’s on-field struggles and CSK’s downward spiral within the IPL 2025
Including to the awkwardness surrounding the state of affairs is Ashwin’s personal underwhelming type within the ongoing IPL season. Within the latest conflict in opposition to Delhi, the veteran spinner went wicketless, conceding 21 runs in his three overs. He didn’t get a possibility to bat, as MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar noticed out the ultimate overs. To date in IPL 2025, the 38-year-old has managed to select up simply three wickets in 4 video games. His solely batting look got here in opposition to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the place he scored 11 off eight balls forward of Dhoni within the chase. These modest returns haven’t helped CSK’s trigger as they proceed to slide additional down the desk.
With the loss to Delhi, CSK now finds themselves languishing on the ninth place on the IPL 2025 factors desk. Solely Sunrisers Hyderabad have a worse internet run charge (NRR). Below the management of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the facet is but to find its rhythm and successful momentum. Their subsequent problem comes in opposition to the in-form Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, who’ve secured two wins out of their first three matches and at present sit within the prime half of the desk.