Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most celebrated and consistent franchises in IPL history, currently finds itself navigating through a rare slump in the 2025 IPL season. After losing six out of their first eight matches, CSK is languishing at the bottom of the points table, a position unfamiliar to a team that has made it to numerous playoffs and lifted the trophy five times under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Yet, despite the dismal run, CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan remains calm and composed, sending out a message of trust, unity, and belief in the team’s ability to bounce back.
In a candid conversation with PTI, Viswanathan addressed the team's current situation and made it clear that panic has no place in the CSK camp. The CEO acknowledged that the squad hasn’t lived up to expectations so far but emphasized that cricket is a game of highs and lows, and it's essential to support the players through every phase. "We have not been performing up to the mark. We are trying to improve and we will try to do well in the next few games. We have never pressed the panic button—our franchise is not like that. It is just a game,” he said, reflecting the team’s long-standing philosophy of patience and perspective.
Viswanathan also addressed the recent change in captaincy, which saw MS Dhoni reassume the role after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the season with an elbow injury. While many fans might look to Dhoni as the potential savior for the team, Viswanathan emphasized that the success of CSK doesn’t hinge on one individual, no matter how iconic. “See, it's not the question of anybody. It's a question that the team should do well and not just one individual,” he stated. He further explained that CSK’s management philosophy involves complete trust in the team and its think tank, with no interference from administrators: “We don't talk to the team management. Dhoni will do what is right for the team.”
Interestingly, CSK has often been celebrated for its loyalty to players, data-light approach, and a team culture that values experience and composure over knee-jerk reactions. That same culture seems to be holding firm even now, as the team stares at the possibility of missing the playoffs. The CSK CEO reiterated that no internal criticism or blame game takes place within the franchise, and the only expectation from the team is effort and improvement: “What we are expecting as administrators is good performance by the team and we don't criticize our team at all.”
The next test for CSK will be against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, April 25, a crucial match that could either breathe new life into their campaign or further diminish their fading playoff hopes. For a team that has written so many fairytale comebacks, this season presents an opportunity to do it once again—only this time, it would be with their backs truly against the wall.
For fans following the IPL 2025, the stakes are getting higher as the league reaches its mid-season intensity. Whether it’s CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, DC, GT, PBKS, LSG, or RR, every franchise is fighting hard not just for wins, but for momentum, chemistry, and the elusive top four spots. And as always, the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap is heating up too, with individual brilliance often tilting tight contests.
