3 Reasons Why MS Dhoni's CSK Won't Win IPL 2025

Anurag Dasgupta

MS Dhoni to play as uncapped player [Source: @CskIPLTeam/X.Com] MS Dhoni to play as uncapped player [Source: @CskIPLTeam/X.Com]

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The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had an interesting IPL auction as they bought back some of their key players from last season, and at the same time invested in younger talents for the future. CSK retained their core ahead of the next IPL season, but despite investing heavily they still failed to close the gap that was missing last season.

Ahead of every IPL season, CSK remain one of the firm favourites for the title, however, this time around, things look a bit different and this could be the season when CSK will face the consequences of not closing their loopholes from last season. We note down 3 reasons why they won't win the IPL title next season.

3) Playing a 43-year old MSD as keeper

The entire IPL landscape changed when BCCI announced a new rule in IPL. According to which, any player who has retired 5 years prior can play as an uncapped player. CSK used this rule and now MS Dhoni will play as an uncapped player.

A 43-year-old MSD, who has suffered multiple knee injuries in the last couple of seasons will keep wickets for CSK this season and CSK don't have a proper replacement for him. If MS Dhoni somehow misses a couple of matches in IPL 2025, CSK's entire lineup will have to be changed. Instead of using the rule on MS Dhoni, CSK should have reserved the uncapped rule on some other player, so as to build the team for the future.

2) Their bowling not suitable for away conditions

At home in Chepauk, CSK will find it easy considering the pitch generally helps the spinners. CSK have R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad in the squad, but the same attack will struggle on away conditions.

Teams will know that CSK's spin department is their strength and the pitches will be prepared to neutralize it. Their pace attack doesn't look promising and hence, the bowling attack will struggle when not playing in Chepauk.

1) No designated finisher

Once known as the greatest IPL finisher, MS Dhoni, for some reason comes way down the order nowadays. As a result, they don't have a proper finisher at number 7. All their star players love to bat within the top 5 and hence, they might struggle to finish a game or chase down a total if the game goes down to the wire.

Most probably CSK will ask Ravindra Jadeja to bat at number 7, but he himself is not a designated finisher.