CSK's Reality Check: Time To Trust Youth Over Experience

Ayush Mhatre and MS Dhoni for CSK in IPL 2025 [Source: AP Photos]

The five time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings have had a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign. The MS Dhoni-led side has already played 11 games in the tournament managing to win only two of them. While there are many factors contributing to this debacle of one of the most consistent teams in the tournament, our analysis reveals that it is time for CSK to trust the youth and leave behind their indigenous philosophy of banking on experience. 

Numbers Don't Lie: Under-30 Outshine Veterans

Our deep dive into the data for the IPL 2025 shows that the under 30 years old players of CSK have outshined the players that age over 30. Players like Sam Curran, Ayush Mhatre and even Shivam Dube for that matter have shown intent and aggression that modern T20 cricket demands. 

With the bat, Ravindra Jadeja has been a lone warrior representing the over-30 brigade. Some of the cameos of MS Dhoni or late flourishes by Vijay Shankar have not been enough to compensate for their slower and safer approach to the game. The under-30 group's average strike rate of 130.54 compare to the veterans' 122.90 clearly highlight the difference in batting approach. 

Youth Leads The Bowling Too

The difference is even more prominent in the bowling department. Noor Ahmad, who is just 19, has picked up 16 wickets in the tournament competing with players topping the wicket charts. Even Matheesha Pathirana, who has been mostly off-colours in this edition of the tournament is ahead of the over 30 group.

The over-30 bowlers have struggled with their economy rates and lack of wicket taking abilities. While Khaleel Ahmed has picked up wickets, his economy rate has been a head-ache for the CSK team. The bowling average comparison - 28.19 for under 30 players versus 36.46 for over-30 players, paint an even clearer picture. 

Impact Moments: Age No Bar for Match-Winners

The under-30 players of CSK have delivered more impactful performances than the over-30 players. A detailed dive shows us 13 instances of 30+ plus runs and 9 instances of 2+ wickets for the youngsters, while for the veterans it is 8 and 7, respectively. The latest knock by Ayush Mhatre against RCB, where he scored 94 runs showcased the fearless approach missing in CSK's batting throughout the tournament.

Age Group Contribution Comparison

CSK player perofmance contribution age-group wise [Source: OneCricket]

Future Blueprint: Embracing the Transition

CSK's traditional approach of banking on experience has backfired this season. With players like MS Dhoni nearing their exit from the game, the franchise must analyse the gap in the performance of the two age groups and fast track a transition plan. The core that they have found in IPL 2025 comprising of Noor Ahamd, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Matheesha Pathirana and Shivam Dube could give them the foundation they need to build their future squad.

The auction is where CSK lost the tournament. Had they invested more on young talents, they might have been at the other end of the points table at this stage of the tournament. 

The writing is on the wall - CSK must let of their conservative approach and embrace a youth-centric policy. The data doesn't just suggest this but demands for it. For a franchise that has been known to make smart decisions, ignoring these numbers would be the biggest mistake.

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