IPL 2025: Ambati Rayudu Says “MS Dhoni Already Focused on Rebuilding CSK for Next Season”

Former Indian cricketer and JioStar expert Ambati Rayudu has weighed in on Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) ongoing struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, calling it a “great learning” moment for the franchise despite being at one of their lowest points.

Speaking on Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Rayudu shared his thoughts on CSK’s poor run of form this season, where the team has managed only two wins in nine matches, currently sitting at the bottom of the points table.

“I know it’s the lowest of lows, but it’s also a great learning for CSK,” said Rayudu. “If you rest on your laurels and don’t keep an eye on the future, this is what can happen. From here on, they’ll be very, very vigilant about evolving with the game. Even MS Dhoni has acknowledged that the game has moved on, and I’m sure he’s already thinking about building a team for next year.”

Rayudu pointed out a few bright spots in the team’s lineup, especially praising young players like Dewald Brevis and Sameer Rizvi (referred to as Mhatre in some commentary circles) for their performances, saying, “those are real positives.”

He added that sometimes a disappointing season serves as a much-needed reality check: “It takes a season like this to ground a team and remind them that the game is always bigger than us. You have to stick to the basics and stay humble.”

Rayudu also critiqued the CSK batting unit, suggesting that the problem wasn’t shot selection, but the lack of intent. “I don’t think there’s confusion in shot selection—if anything, there aren’t enough shots being played. The batters are taking more time than they should.”

He noted that the recent changes in CSK’s playing XI seemed more like a “trial run” for the future than a tactical fix for this season. Rayudu predicted a major overhaul of the squad ahead of the next edition of the IPL, stating, “I don’t think CSK can carry forward most of their current squad—at best, seven or eight players might be retained.”

CSK suffered another defeat on Friday against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where Harshal Patel starred with a four-wicket haul, helping SRH clinch a five-wicket victory. With that win, SRH climbed to eighth in the standings with six points from nine games. CSK, on the other hand, remains in last place with just four points.

CSK’s next challenge will be against Punjab Kings on April 30 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds to their current crisis.