Why are Chennai Super Kings struggling in IPL 2025?

1. MS Dhoni's form, fitness, and mindset

MS Dhoni enthralled the crowd with his aggressive batting in IPL 2024, as he finished with an awe-inspiring strike rate of 220.55. However, he only faced 73 balls in 11 innings. This season, the story has been entirely different. Fans were bemused to see the legendary cricketer coming in to bat at No. 9 after Ravichandran Ashwin in the game against RCB. After that game, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed that Dhoni cannot bat 10 overs as his knees aren't what they used to be.

While Dhoni promoted himself to No. 7 in the last two games, he has not been able to turn back the clock like last season(s). His unbeaten knock of 30 off 26 balls in a losing cause against Delhi Capitals has garnered criticism, with experts pointing out his lack of intent. CSK scored just 11 runs from overs 16 and 17, taking the required run-rate from 15.60 to 22.33. Vijay Shankar also played a peculiar knock, finishing unbeaten on 69 off 54 balls with a strike rate of 127.78. Dhoni has been excellent behind the stumps with his glove work. However, the 43-year-old will have to contribute more with the bat, especially if the middle-order continues to falter.