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Rebuilding The Yellow Army: 5 Players CSK Must Release After Disastrous IPL 2025 Campaign

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Rahul Tripathi and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: AP Photos]Rahul Tripathi and Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: AP Photos]

Chennai Super Kings have endured a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, securing just 2 wins from 10 matches. This underwhelming performance necessitates a critical review of their squad composition ahead of next season. With the a mini auction ahead of IPL 2026, CSK management will likely part ways with several underperforming players to rejuvenate their lineup.

Based on comprehensive data analysis from the current season, here are five players CSK should consider releasing to strengthen their roster for IPL 2026.

1. Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda [Source: AP Photos]Deepak Hooda [Source: AP Photos]

The middle-order batter has been a significant liability for CSK this season, with statistics painting a grim picture of Deepak Hooda's contributions.

  • Abysmal Strike Rate - Hooda's strike rate of 75.61 is unacceptable in modern T20 cricket, making him one of the slowest scorers in the entire tournament.
  • Poor Returns - With just 31 runs across five innings, he has failed to justify his position in a batting lineup that desperately needed middle-order acceleration.
  • Batting Average Crisis - His average of 6.20 reflects consistent failures, providing minimal value despite numerous opportunities to prove himself.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin

Despite his stellar reputation and experience, Ravichandran Ashwin's performances this season have fallen well below expectations.

  • Expensive Economy Rate - With an economy of 9.29, Ashwin has consistently leaked runs, failing to provide the control expected from a senior spinner.
  • Lack of Wicket-Taking Impact - Just 5 wickets at a disappointing average of 44.60 shows his inability to make breakthrough contributions when the team needed them most.
  • Strategic Limitations - His bowling has proven ineffective against power hitters, exposing a significant gap in CSK's bowling strategy during crucial match phases.

3. Mukesh Choudhary

Mukesh Choudhary for CSK in IPL 2025 [Source: AP Photos]Mukesh Choudhary for CSK in IPL 2025 [Source: AP Photos]

The left-arm pacer has struggled throughout the season, particularly in the death overs.

  • Death Overs Disaster - His economy rate of 11.83 in the final overs is among the worst in the tournament, directly contributing to several match losses.
  • Wicket Drought - Zero wickets in death overs despite bowling 12 deliveries in this crucial phase demonstrates his ineffectiveness when pressure mounts.
  • Technical Deficiencies - His inability to execute yorkers and slower deliveries under pressure has made him predictable for opposition batters.

4. Rahul Tripathi

The experienced batsman has failed to deliver on his promise, becoming a weak link in CSK's batting lineup.

  • Momentum Killer - With a strike rate of just 96.49, Tripathi has consistently stalled CSK's innings when acceleration was needed.
  • Conversion Failure - His average of 11.00 highlights an inability to convert starts into substantial scores, scoring only 55 runs from 57 balls across multiple innings.
  • Position Uncertainty - His struggles across different batting positions have created instability in CSK's batting order, affecting the team's overall strategy.

5. Nathan Ellis

As an overseas player occupying a valuable foreign slot, Nathan Ellis has failed to deliver the impact expected from an international recruit.

  • Limited Impact - Just 1 wicket in death overs despite bowling 19 balls reflects his inability to make breakthroughs when most needed.
  • Pressure Performance Issues - His economy rate of 9.16 in death overs shows he hasn't been able to restrict runs in crucial match situations.
  • Opportunity Cost - His underperformance has prevented CSK from exploring other overseas options who might have added more value to their struggling bowling attack.

CSK's rebuild for IPL 2026 must address their critical weaknesses in death bowling and middle-order acceleration. Releasing these five players would free up resources and slots to acquire specialists who can rectify these deficiencies, potentially restoring the franchise to its traditionally dominant position in the IPL hierarchy.