Kathmandu, April 26: Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2025 Playoff Dreams Hang by a Thread After Crushing Defeat to Hyderabad
Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) journey in the 2025 Indian Premier League has taken a severe hit, with their playoff hopes now hanging by a thread. Their latest five-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday night has pushed them further down the points table and made qualification for the playoffs highly improbable.
With only two wins from nine games, the five-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the standings. To have any hope of advancing, CSK must now win all of their remaining five matches. Even then, their fate will rest on other teams’ results falling perfectly into place—a scenario that seems more like wishful thinking than a realistic path forward.
Batting Woes Continue for Chennai
Opting to bat first after losing the toss at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK managed to put up just 154 runs before being bowled out in 19.5 overs. South African youngster Dewald Brevis was the standout performer with a fluent 42, while Ayush Mahatre contributed a steady 30. Deepak Hooda (22) and Ravindra Jadeja (21) tried to stabilize the innings, but the middle and lower order collapsed under pressure.
Hyderabad’s bowlers kept things tight, with Harshal Patel delivering a match-winning spell of 4 wickets. Skipper Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat also made key contributions, picking up 2 wickets each and preventing Chennai from gaining momentum.
Hyderabad Cruise to Victory
In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the 155-run target with relative ease, reaching 158/5 in 18.4 overs. Ishan Kishan led the run chase with a composed 44-run knock at the top, setting the tone early. Kamindu Mendis played a crucial finishing role, remaining unbeaten on 32 and guiding his team home. Travis Head (19) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (19* not out) provided valuable support in the middle and lower order.
With this win, Sunrisers Hyderabad climbed to 6 points, moving up to eighth place in the league table. Their playoff hopes are still alive, while CSK now finds itself on the verge of becoming the first team to be eliminated from this season.
Pressure Builds Across the Table
As the league heads into its crucial final phase, the competition for playoff spots is heating up. In Saturday’s fixture, Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Punjab Kings. Punjab will be eyeing a sixth win to break into the top four, while seventh-placed Kolkata must secure victory to stay in the playoff hunt.
