IPL 2025: Dhoni’s Dream Ends: CSK Crash Out of Playoff Race After PBKS Defeat

Chennai Super Kings suffer worst-ever season at home as Punjab Kings hand Dhoni-led side their eighth loss of the campaign and eliminate them from playoff contention.

Chennai, May 1:
Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) dismal IPL 2025 campaign hit rock bottom on Wednesday as they were officially knocked out of playoff contention following a four-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The loss marked CSK’s fifth defeat at Chepauk this season—making it their worst-ever home performance in IPL history.

PBKS, propelled by half-centuries from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh and a stunning hat-trick by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, chased down CSK’s total of 190 with two balls to spare. The win lifted Punjab to second place on the table with 13 points, while CSK languish at the bottom with just four points from 10 games.

The five-time champions have now lost five consecutive matches at their home ground for the first time ever, with defeats coming against RCB, DC, KKR, SRH, and now PBKS. Their only win at Chepauk this season was against rivals Mumbai Indians in the opening match.

This is also the first time in franchise history that CSK has failed to qualify for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

The head-to-head rivalry between CSK and PBKS is now tied at 16-16, but PBKS has dominated recent encounters—winning seven of the last eight, including all three matches at Chepauk since 2023.

Batting first, CSK recovered from a shaky 48/3 thanks to a 78-run partnership between Sam Curran (88 off 47) and Dewald Brevis (32 off 26). But just when a late flourish seemed likely, Chahal’s hat-trick dismantled the lower order, reducing CSK from 172/4 to 190 all out in 19.2 overs.

Chahal ended with figures of 4/32, supported by Arshdeep Singh’s 2/25.

In reply, PBKS started strong with a 44-run opening stand between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 36), followed by a 72-run stand between Prabhsimran and Iyer. Iyer anchored the chase with a composed 72 off 41 balls, ably assisted by Shashank Singh (23 off 12). Despite losing a few wickets late in the chase, PBKS crossed the finish line at 194/6.

For CSK, Khaleel Ahmed (2/28) and Pathirana (2/45) picked up wickets but lacked support as their playoff hopes officially ended in front of their home fans.