Suresh Raina, a former World Cup-winning all-rounder, has expressed concerns about the Chennai Super Kings‘ performance in IPL 2025, questioning the team’s lack of determination. He agreed with Harbhajan Singh’s views, stating that CSK seem to be in their most challenging phase this season.
CSK have faced difficulties in the 18th edition, securing just two victories from eight matches, leaving them at the bottom of the points table with the worst net run rate. To remain in the playoff race, CSK must secure victories in all of their upcoming matches. MS Dhoni, who took over as captain following Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s injury, stated that he will now shift his attention to preparing for the next season.
“Definitely yes , this is the weakest CSK team we’ve seen. I believe the intent to win isn’t there anymore. There’s a lack of that hunger. No disrespect to anyone, but the brand of cricket CSK used to play no longer exists,” Raina said.
CSK’s auction picks, including Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, and R Ashwin, have underperformed. Recently, the team has started giving opportunities to younger players like Ayush Mhatre, who impressed on his debut against the Mumbai Indians.
He also questioned CSK’s failure to tap into local talent from the state, saying, “Take a look at players who’ve excelled in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). For example, Sai Sudharsan, who’s doing well for Gujarat Titans, and others like Sai Kishore and Shahrukh Khan who are also representing GT. There’s a need to bring in local talent.”
Raina further reflected on the past, saying, “When we were successful, we had the likes of Murali Vijay, L Balaji, and Badrinath. It’s crucial to bring in that local flavor for success.”
He went on to discuss the approach that led to their victories: “When we played in Chennai, we ensured we didn’t waste balls. We focused on rotating the strike, which ultimately helps in winning matches. Our early overs showed intent, and in the death overs, players like MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel played crucial cameos. This balance was key to our success.”