3 Major Mega Auction Mistakes That Proved Costly For CSK In IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

CSK are on the verge of elimination [Source: AP]CSK are on the verge of elimination [Source: AP]

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sustained their lean patch in the IPL 2025, with Sunrisers Hyderabad handing them a crushing five-wicket defeat last night. This was CSK's seventh loss in the competition, as the MS Dhoni-led outfit remained at the bottom of the points table. 

CSK have been one of the most successful teams in the IPL history, having clinched the coveted title five times. However, according to their head coach Stephen Fleming there were some auction blunders that backfired on the Yellow Army this season. 

As CSK's horrendous IPL 2025 performance continues to grab the headlines, here are three major auction mistakes that proved costly for the Super Kings. 

1. Buying R Ashwin For 9.75 Crore

Criterion
Data
Innings57
Wickets42
Average39.7
Strike Rate30.8
Economy7.74

(R Ashwin in IPL between 2021 and 2024)

  • Ravichandran Ashwin recorded poor numbers in the IPL from 2021 to 2024, managing only 42 wickets in 57 outings at a horrible average of 39.7 and a strike rate of 30.8. 
  • The 38-year-old off-spinner has lost the zip he had during his peak days. He doesn't give enough revolutions on the ball these days, making him comparatively less effective as a spinner in the format. 
  • However, CSK took a bold decision on the auction table, bringing Ashwin back for a whopping price of INR 9.75 Crore. Their attempt for a poetic reunion backfired on them heavily, with Ashwin picking up only five wickets across seven matches at an economy of 9.29 in IPL 2025. 
  • Instead of buying Ashwin, they could've spent the budget to get an explosive batter in their team, a move that would've benefitted them in the competition. 

2. Retaining Ravindra Jadeja For 18 Crores

Criterion
Data
Innings9
Runs166
Bat SR
125.76
Wickets6
Bowl Average31.33
Economy8.23

(Ravindra Jadeja's IPL 2025 stats)

  • Retaining veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for INR 18 crores also turned out to be a major strategic blunder by CSK. The 36-year-old cricketer hasn't been at his best with the bat, collecting 166 runs at a horrible strike rate of 125.76. 
  • He hasn't been penetrative with the ball as well, scalping six wickets at an ordinary average of 31.33 and an economy of 8.23. 
  • Considering Jadeja's declining T20 prowess, CSK could've negotiated the retention amount ahead of the mega auction. Had they retained Jadeja for a lesser amount, they could've spent the money to buy more impactful T20 players in last year's mega auction. 

3. More Bits And Pieces, Less Specialists

  • Apart from retaining Jadeja, who doesn't give confidence as an extraordinary T20 batter or bowler, CSK invested in several bits-and-pieces kind of players, buying Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda. 
  • While the other IPL teams scouted talents like Priyansh Arya, Vignesh Puthur and Aniket Verma etc., CSK fell behind for placing their bet on rejected old war horses. 
  • None of the aforementioned players lived up to the expectations, forcing the Super Kings to chop and change their combination for every game. This eventually unsettled their core, and with premier batter Ruturaj Gaikwad injured, they had to pay the price for their mistakes.