The Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful franchises in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, are facing a concerning trend in the 2025 season. In a surprising statistical quirk, CSK have lost all five matches in which they batted first this season. This 0-5 record while setting a target has raised serious questions about their batting approach, team strategy, and adaptability under changing match conditions.
Traditionally known for their calculated, calm, and consistent performances, Chennai Super Kings have thrived under pressure, especially with their knack for defending totals at Chepauk or chasing down targets with surgical precision. But IPL 2025 has thrown an uncomfortable reality check. Every time they’ve had to set a target, the team has faltered — either by not putting enough runs on the board or failing to adapt their bowling strategy during the second innings.
The most obvious issue lies in the batting department. While CSK still possess a mix of experienced campaigners and fresh talents, their top-order has not fired in unison when asked to bat first. On several occasions this season, they’ve lost wickets early in the powerplay, which has disrupted momentum. Even when the middle order attempted to rebuild, the scoring rate often remained below par. This has led to totals that were competitive at best, but not commanding — a big concern in a tournament where scores of 190-plus are increasingly considered the norm.
Another critical factor has been their intent in the middle overs. CSK’s conservative approach, which worked in previous seasons where anchoring innings was crucial, seems outdated in 2025. Modern T20 cricket demands aggression throughout the innings, and CSK’s reluctance to shift gears quickly has allowed opponents to control the tempo with ease. While they’ve managed explosive finishes occasionally, the absence of sustained aggression from overs 7 to 15 has consistently left them 15–20 runs short of a par score.
On the bowling front, CSK’s attack has lacked the penetration needed to defend middling totals. Their spin department, once their biggest weapon at home, hasn’t delivered consistently this season. The pace battery, although boasting experience, has struggled to contain runs in the death overs. Combined with underwhelming fielding performances, this has made the job of defending any score under 180 incredibly difficult.
Team strategy also appears to be under the microscope. Questions have emerged about team combinations, the decision to persist with out-of-form players, and whether the management has been too rigid in its approach. With T20 cricket evolving rapidly, adaptability is the key to success, and Chennai have yet to show that flexibility when setting a target.
Captaincy dynamics have also played a part. While the team has shown moments of brilliance, they’ve often failed to respond to match situations dynamically, particularly when defending a score. This has led to a string of losses that now threatens their playoff hopes.
In conclusion, Chennai winless record when batting first in IPL 2025 is more than just a statistical anomaly — it’s a reflection of deeper tactical and executional issues. If the team hopes to turn its season around, it will need to not only reassess its batting blueprint when setting targets but also sharpen its bowling and fielding strategies. The hallmark of CSK’s past glory was their ability to learn and bounce back. Whether they can rewrite their 2025 story remains to be seen.