Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Suresh Raina has openly criticized the team's poor performance throughout the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. CSK, which boasts its rich championship history, now sits at the bottom of the points table after it was able to collect only two wins from eight matches. In Raina's view, this dramatic slump is the work of uninspiring team selections and seemingly a lack of competitive hunger. His remark is a view shared by growing numbers of supporters and experts who have been questioning the direction of the franchise in recent times.
CSK's 2025 Season Woes Emphasized
Chennai Super Kings have also had an IPL 2025 season to forget so far. With two victories in eight games only, the team is firmly placed at the bottom of the table. The contrasting performance comes as a stunning change from their glorious past, having five IPL titles to their credit. The inconsistency in results has drawn criticism from all sides, with the spotlight falling strongly on the way the team was assembled during the recent mega auction.
Suresh Raina, a vital cog in CSK's past success, has not been hesitant to speak his mind. He pointed out that CSK missed the opportunity to build a stronger side by not picking in-form local talent like Sai Sudharsan and R Sai Kishore. Both of the cricketers have been playing well for Gujarat Titans, and Raina pointed out that having such players on board would have made CSK's current campaign stronger.
Concerns Regarding Team Mentality and Organization
In his comments, Raina challenged the intent and desire for win of the team. In his opinion, the present CSK team does not have the fire and aggression that characterized the team in the past. He stated that the team no longer projects the brand that it was before, alluding to a possible lack of synergy between the strategy of the management and the on-field performance of the team.
Raina looked back at CSK's earlier line-ups and emphasized the importance of having local Tamil Nadu players like Murali Vijay, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Subramaniam Badrinath, and Ravichandran Ashwin. He feels that their presence did not just enhance the balance of the team but also the team's bond with the fanbase. The absence of such home-grown players from the current team, Raina intimated, might be one of the reasons why the team lacks apparent chemistry.
Tactical Weaknesses of the Powerplay Overs
The second area where Raina was unhappy is with CSK's game plan during the powerplay overs. He mentioned that the side cannot establish momentum in the early overs of the innings, and this has always put pressure on the middle and lower-order batsmen. In today's T20 cricket, the manipulation of the powerplay overs is critical, and Raina believes that the game plan in this overs in CSK lacks aggression and the thought process.
Raina explained that in his time in the team, they focused on rotating the strike well without having to take risky shots. He explained how with limiting dot balls and maintaining an upbeat run rate, the team could build a good platform for finishers like MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel to take advantage of in the final overs. This was, Raina added, the very foundation of CSK's former success and absent in their current gameplay.
Auction Plan Under Fire
Raina also targeted the auction plans of the franchise, particularly the lack of giving importance to local players. By not employing the services of young Tamil Nadu players, CSK not only lost out on potential game-changers but also lost on local popularity. Raina felt that local players are more aware of local conditions and fan moods, which to some extent is a huge asset in high-stakes games.
He emphasized the performance of the Tamil Nadu players now thriving in other franchises, particularly the Gujarat Titans. Raina questioned why CSK never felt that there was merit in such a pool of talent, as if indicating a localized and performance-driven approach would have been more fruitful. His remarks underpin the hypothesis that excellent regional representation with strategic thinking could restore CSK's competitiveness.
A Shift in Identity and Culture
Raina's criticism also spoke of a common concern—a sense of loss of identity in the CSK camp. Traditionally, a culture of trust, solidity, and tactical acumen was what defined the franchise. It now appears to be losing its direction from these fundamental values. Raina believes that the franchise has lost its direction from where it began, with the decision-making process now more short-term oriented rather than a case of long-term grooming.
He stated that CSK's earlier lineups had a combination of veteran campaigners and young local players, and thus, the team used to have a well-balanced unit. But with the current team, there don't appear to be many players who rise to the occasion in challenging circumstances. In Raina's view, lack of team responsibility is also the reason behind the poor performances seen during season 2025.
Leadership Questions Arise
Even though Raina did not directly criticize any individual team leaders, his statements reflected growing concern about CSK's direction. With MS Dhoni on the brink of retirement and new leadership yet to get accustomed, there may be uncertainty within the camp on jobs and expectations. This uncertainty, Raina seemed to suggest, would further destabilize the team's structure and affect on-field performance.
The leadership void and tactical inconsistencies may be the cause for CSK's losing streak. Raina's statement indicates that the lack of clear leadership and vision can cause even a historically successful outfit like CSK to stumble. His suggestions indicate a need for a realignment of on-field tactics and off-field planning to put the franchise back on winning ways.
A Call for Rebuilding and Reflection
Suresh Raina's remarks ultimately end up being a call for introspection among the CSK management. He urged the franchise to return to its winning ways—giving support to local players, adopting aggressive powerplay policies, and instilling a winning mindset. Without these key ingredients, Raina cautioned, CSK will find it hard to regain its tag in future IPL seasons.
Raina's open denunciation strikes a chord among the broader cricketing community, a majority of whom have harbored his reservations. As one of CSK's greatest players, his statement holds weight, and it supports the imperative for change. Whether or not team management will listen to these words will be seen in the days ahead, but one thing is guaranteed—CSK's way back into good health will be through constructive rebuilding, both on the field and in its basic DNA.
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