
This IPL season has been quite an adventure for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, to say the least. Following a demoralizing nine-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians at Wankhede, they now find themselves at the bottom of the league—literally, at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table. But before you give in and start binge-watching Dhoni highlights, here’s the thing: CSK can still qualify for the playoffs. The door is still open, albeit ever so slightly. So, let’s see how they can make their way through it, theatrically!
The Magic Number: 16 (Or Maybe 14?)
Here’s the situation – 16 points are the standard cutoff for the IPL Playoffs. CSK stands at 4 points with 8 matches played and has 6 matches remaining. That means they are going to have to go absolutely beast mode and win all of their remaining 6 matches to reach 16 points. Is this a tall order? Absolutely. Is it impossible? Not at all, CSK has done crazy things before.
There’s a small wrinkle. Should the qualification threshold get to 14 points (possible if the mid-table keeps beating each other up and no one breaks free enough to run up points), then CSK make it with 5 wins in 6. Right now, theirs sits at a miserable -1.392, the worst in the tournament. So, yes, even if they get to 14, they need to win big and lose small (if they lose at all).
Net Run Rate: CSK’s Silent Assassin
Let’s discuss this villain: NRR. It’s like that one subject in university that deathly pulls you down regardless of how well you do. With CSK currently sitting at a low NRR from the MI debacle, they need to win every match by as much as they can.
Let’s say CSK beats SunRisers Hyderabad by 50+ runs, and follows that up by chasing down 180 runs against KKR in 15 overs. That would be a nice jump in margins and a potential boost in NRR. But here’s the kicker: in the special case that they lose a game, especially if it is by a significant margin, they will ruin all that hard work. NRR is like your circa-2012 smartphone battery at 3% – every swipe count.
So yeah, CSK needs to go on a tear of dominance. No shave your nails and bless your heart, no last-over cut-your-nails drama – just flat out dominate.
All Eyes on the Clash with SRH
Next on the calendar, CSK will take on SunRisers Hyderabad at Chepauk on April 25. This isn’t a regular league game; it’s a mini-knockout. SRH is only a spot ahead of CSK on the league table – a loss could send CSK’s season off a cliff. On the positive side, a win means an opportunity for momentum, hope, and maybe handing the wooden spoon to SRH.
Following that, CSK will be facing clubs that are in the mid-table rankings. This is both okay and not okay. Okay, these teams are beatable. Not okay, but also many of these clubs are in a quasi-direct competition with CSK for a playoff berth. Every win gives CSK points and takes away points from the other clubs – every win could be a six-pointer. And CSK need to get their wins smartly and strategically (How about giving some time to young Ayush Mhatre?).
So, is it possible for CSK to make the playoffs in IPL 2025? Mathematically — yes. Realistically — a lot of must-win games, NRR problems, and some god bless me cricket merit. But if there was one team that enjoys performing under pressure, moreover, that rises to the occasion when written off, it is the Chennai Super Kings.
Do you think Thala and the boys can pull off the impossible? Or is it time to tabulate for IPL 2026? Let’s discuss in the comments — CSK fans unite.