The fix list Chennai Super Kings cannot avoid at IPL mini auction

The fix list Chennai Super Kings cannot avoid at IPL mini auction (PTI Photo)

The 2025 season of the IPL was a storm the Chennai Super Kings simply couldn’t weather. It was forgettable season for the five-time IPL winners. From the outset, their journey lacked direction, and the trademark grit that once defined them. An early setback came in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, robbing the team of both a dependable opener and a captain. Despite the presence of a seasoned leader like MS Dhoni, consistency eluded them throughout. Dhoni stepped in to lead in Gaikwad's absence, but the team couldn’t turn things around and, for the first time in their history, ended up at the bottom of the table.

For a franchise that has built its reputation on their remarkable consistency, missing the playoffs two years in a row is a wake-up call. It suggests deeper issues that can no longer be ignored. A reset may be on the horizon, although CSK has never been known to make sweeping changes.

The road ahead lies in identifying the weak spots and fixing them with intent, something which Dhoni echoed while speaking at an event in Chennai last week. "A small (mini) auction will be coming up in December. There are some holes and we will try to plug those," noted the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.

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In this article we focus on understanding where the gaps actually lie in finding the perfect team balance...

Top-Order Troubles

CSK’s struggles in 2025 began right at the top. Their hesitation to accelerate early, especially while batting first, proved costly, with the team managing to score over 200 runs only twice in 13 matches, both times while chasing. Early in the season, they placed their trust in Rachin Ravindra, hoping he'd carry over his Champions Trophy form, but he couldn’t quite make the same impact in the IPL. Later, options like Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel showed promise, but their emergence came a little too late to change the campaign’s trajectory. Heading into the next season, the five-time champions must prioritise finding a dynamic opener. The mini-auction will be crucial for CSK to bring in a swashbuckling top-order batter who can provide the aggressive starts they sorely lacked.

In Search of Power-Packed Finishers

Beyond their top-order troubles, CSK’s lower middle-order was a glaring weakness throughout the season. To address it, the team will need to find explosive finishers in the mould of Tim David or Andre Russell, players who can consistently clear the ropes and shift momentum in the death overs. While Dhoni and Shivam Dube were entrusted with the finishing duties, their impact was inconsistent. Though still capable of pulling off the occasional flourish, Dhoni no longer offers the reliability he once did. Dube, too, seemed to have lost his edge as a spin-basher.

Both showed sparks of aggression, but CSK’s overall finishing lacked firepower. In a season that rewarded fearless batting, their conservative approach often left them with below-par totals and mounting pressure. If Dhoni continues to play, he’ll need stronger support around him, finishers with more intent and impact than what Dube and even Ravindra Jadeja could offer this season.

Cracks in the Bowling Attack

CSK’s bowling unit delivered in patches but faltered when it mattered most. Their powerplay strike-rate was underwhelming, and the death overs turned into a major weakness, with the team leaking 11.2 runs per over in the final five, second-worst among all sides. The burden largely fell on Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad, who did their part but lacked reliable support. Matheesha Pathirana, expected to be the go-to death bowler, couldn’t live up to expectations this season. Spin, traditionally a CSK strength, also misfired, with only Noor posing a consistent threat. While a total revamp of the bowling group isn’t needed, CSK must use the auction to bring in attacking spinners and reliable death-over specialists to shore up their bowling core.