'It takes a season like this to ground a team' - Ambati Rayudu on CSK's dismal IPL 2025

The IPL 2025 has been one of the worst seasons for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who lost their seventh game of the season against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) on Friday, April 25. The ‘Yellow Brigade’ continues to languish at the bottom of the table this season.

Experts have given their insights on the struggles of the five-time champions this season. One of them is former CSK player and six-time IPL winner Ambati Rayudu who has been analysing what is going wrong for CSK. While the other experts have made harsh criticism towards the team, Rayudu has termed this disappointing year as a learning experience and said that they will be looking to build a new team and look to evolve with the game. Rayudu also brought up the positives in the team, which features the likes of Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis, who have had some great starts this season.

“I know it’s the lowest of lows, but it’s also a great learning for CSK. If you rest on your laurels and don’t keep an eye on the future, this is what can happen. From here on, they’ll be very, very vigilant about evolving with the game. Even MS Dhoni has acknowledged that the game has moved on, and I’m sure he’s already thinking about building a team for next year. We’ve seen some shining lights in the batting line-up, particularly Brevis and Mhatre—those are real positives. Sometimes, it takes a season like this to ground a team and remind them that the game is always bigger than us. You have to stick to the basics and stay humble,” Rayudu spoke on JioHotstar.

There aren’t enough shots being played: Rayudu

Rayudu also opened up on the batting struggles of the side, which has failed to get going. While there have been some scores of 20s, 30s, and 40s in the CSK squad, there have not been many match-winning innings. Rayudu said it is more about the intent than the players' shot selection, which he has termed a trial for next season.

“I don’t think there’s confusion in shot selection—if anything, there aren’t enough shots being played. The batters are taking more time than they should. The change in personnel was needed, and what we’re seeing now is more of a trial run for next season. I don’t think CSK can carry forward most of their current squad—at best, seven or eight players might be retained,” the former wicketkeeper-batter concluded.