Try too hard, Haydos? When did CSK even try this summer?

Three defeats in a row, including two losses at their supposed fortress, Chennai Super Kings are in shambles. After Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals breached the Chepauk fortress in two home games. Is it a coincidence? Hardly. No matter how much Matthew Hayden tries to guard his former team by saying, “they are trying too hard”, he would know at his heart, CSK did not even try.

They surrendered. In fact, CSK haven’t looked like a competitive team in IPL 2025 so far.

Where is the intent, Haydos?

If any other team posts 158/5 in a chase of 184, Hayden would be vocal about intent. But he is too loyal to the Yellove. CSK scored 46/3 in the powerplay while chasing 184. But it is not one off. In this edition of IPL, CSK’s highest score in the powerplay is 62/1 against Mumbai Indians. The sheer lack of power in the powerplay makes it a snoozefest for everyone. No wonder a young Vansh Bedi, who is from the power-hitting generation, dozed off while watching CSK bat in the powerplay.

– He is Vansh Bedi
– He was born on December 23, 2002, in New Delhi
– He’s a wicketkeeper-batter known for aggressive spin-hitting
– He scored 221 runs in DPL 2024, averaging 44.5
– He smashed 47* off 19 balls in the DPL opener
– He hit 96 off 41 balls vs East Delhi Riders
– He… pic.twitter.com/6R5nf717zt

— (@itshitmanera) April 5, 2025

CSK in powerplay in IPL 2025

• 62/1 vs MI
• 30/3 vs RCB
• 42/1 vs RR
• 46/3 vs DC

Add the opening woes, things don’t look good for CSK. 14 is the highest opening stand for the Men in Yellow. So far, Chennai have tried out two different opening pairs (Ravindra-Tripathi, Ravindra-Conway) but none has been able to give them a solid start. Rachin Ravindra with scores of 65, 41, 0 and 3 is the most consistent opener for CSK this season.

Rahul Tripathi scored 2, 5 and 23 while Devon Conway scored 13 off 14 against DC on Saturday. But with the lowest average score in the powerplay, CSK have shown no intent so far in chasing down big totals. That CSK have not chased down a 175+ target since 2019 is proof that their opening needs massive rework.

CSK’s opening stands in IPL 2025

• 11/1 vs MI
• 8/1 vs RCB
• 0/1 vs RR
• 14/1 vs DC

Middle-order not trying hard enough

While Ravi Shastri and Hayden can call it “trying too hard”, the stats show a different story. On average, CSK have played 14 dot balls in the middle over, scoring at an average of 7.1 runs per over. That is not enough for a big chase. On Saturday, CSK played 15 dot balls in the middle overs despite scoring only 46 runs in the powerplay.

Vijay Shankar scored 48 off 41 till the 16th over, going at a snail’s pace. MS Dhoni was on the crease on 11 off 15 deliveries. Not that CSK had lost too many wickets. They were 112/5 but there no intent from either of the veteran players to even try and get as close as possible.

CSK in the middle-overs

Opponent	Score	Wickets	Run Rate	Dot balls
Mumbai Indians	63	4	6.3	15
Royal Challengers Bengaluru	71	4	7.1	14
Rajasthan Royals	87	5	8.7	14
Delhi Capitals	71	2	7.1	15

No show at Chepauk

MA Chidambaram Stadium, or Chepauk, was once CSK’s stronghold. That they have lost just 25 matches in 78 games is a testament to that. But out of those 25 losses, two of them have come in IPL 2025. Last season, they lost two matches at home out of seven. Now, CSK have made it two losses in three home games. The last time CSK lost two consecutive home games was back in 2012.

The loyal fans of Chennai have paid good money for tickets only to be neglected. Some stood in the queue for a long time while some paid double or even triple the actual ticket price. Some went out of their way to get tickets. CSK have disappointed their fans, who have stood by them, cheered even in losses.