CSK Crash Out of IPL 2025 After Defeat to Punjab Kings; Shreyas, Chahal Shine Bright
Chennai Super Kings' turbulent IPL 2025 campaign has officially come to an end, as they were knocked out of playoff contention following a crushing four-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at Chepauk on Wednesday. With just two wins from ten matches, CSK’s hopes were already hanging by a thread. The loss not only confirmed their early exit but also marked the first time in IPL history that the five-time champions have failed to qualify for the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.
CSK seemed to have posted a decent total after a fighting effort with the bat. Sam Curran, who was promoted up the order, delivered a stunning performance against his former side with a blistering 88 off 47 balls. His innings included clean hitting and smart strike rotation, forming a vital 78-run partnership with Dewald Brevis (32). At 190 all out, the hosts appeared to be in a competitive position.
However, the innings ended on a disappointing note for CSK, who lost their last five wickets for just six runs in the space of seven deliveries. The collapse was triggered by Yuzvendra Chahal’s magic in the 19th over. After being hit for a six by MS Dhoni, the leg-spinner bounced back brilliantly, dismissing Dhoni, Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad in a single over. His efforts earned him a rare second IPL hat-trick, joining the elite company of Amit Mishra and Yuvraj Singh as bowlers with multiple hat-tricks in the tournament.
In reply, Punjab Kings showed calm determination and depth in their chase. Openers Priyansh Arya (23) and Prabhsimran Singh provided a rapid start, scoring at nine runs per over in the Powerplay. Although Priyansh’s stay was brief, Prabhsimran carried on the momentum with a confident 54 off 36 balls, showcasing his ability to blend aggression with smart stroke play.
The real game-changer, however, was Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer. Coming in at No. 3, Iyer played a captain’s knock, scoring a fluent 72 off 41 balls. His composure in the middle overs and aggressive intent in the latter stages made the chase look effortless. His partnership of 72 runs with Prabhsimran laid the foundation, and his attack on Matheesha Pathirana in the 17th over effectively sealed the win. Punjab finished the job with two balls to spare, reaching 194/6.
With this win, Punjab Kings leapfrogged to second spot on the points table with 13 points and continue to strengthen their playoff credentials. CSK, on the other hand, remain anchored at the bottom, with nothing but pride to play for in their remaining matches.
As the tournament heats up with only a few points separating the top five teams, Punjab’s momentum, led by in-form players like Shreyas Iyer and Yuzvendra Chahal, might just carry them deep into the competition.
MS Dhoni has kept fans guessing about his IPL future, refusing to confirm whether he will return next season. Ahead of CSK’s match against Punjab Kings, Dhoni responded vaguely to commentator Danny Morrison’s question about a possible comeback, saying, “I don’t know, I am coming for the next game.” With CSK struggling in IPL 2025—having won only two matches so far—Dhoni admitted the team has failed to capitalise on home advantage and has had to make more changes than usual due to underperformance, despite it being the first season after a fresh auction.
