Chennai Super Kings bowed out of playoffs reckoning in Indian Premier League 2025 with a four-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday, April 30. (As It Happened | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Chennai Super Kings have endured a dismal run in the 2025 edition, losing eight out of the 10 games they have played so far. The early exit also means that the Indian Premier League will witness back-to-back seasons without MS Dhoni in the summit clash for the first time ever.
A hat-trick from Yuzvendra Chahal, followed by top knocks from Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh guided Punjab Kings to the nervy four-wicket win. Punjab chased down CSK's 191-run target in 19.4 overs, effectively eliminating MS Dhoni's men from playoffs reckoning.
The Kings, meanwhile jumped to the second spot in the table with the win.
Nothing seems to have gone right for CSK this season. Ruturaj Gaikwad's sudden injury forced Dhoni to return to captaincy, and the 43-year-old wicketkeeper-batter's body doesn't appear to be supporting him in the high-intensity endeavour.
CSK have now lost five consecutive games at home, which belies their traditional strength at Chepauk. The franchise has four more games (against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 3, Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7, Rajasthan Royals on May 12 and Gujarat Titans on May 18) left this season, which it will play for pride.
