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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing what may be the worst season finish in the franchise’s history during the 2025 Indian Premier League season. Their chances of earning the “wooden-spooners” title seem almost inevitable, as they are currently sitting at 10 losses with a dismal net run rate. Disappointingly, it seems like they are set to be on the bottom once again. On the bright side, young superstars Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre’s performances this season have sparked some hope.

CSK’s 2025 Decline in Numbers

Powerplay Struggles:

CSK have recorded the worst powerplay averages and strike rates in the league.  With only 23.67 runs per wicket and a strike rate of 8.5, they trail the league’s powerplay averages of 38.55 and 9.51 significantly.

Season Record:

The franchise has matched its worst-ever record of 10 defeats, with the only remaining mathematically viable chance to avoid coming last requiring an impossible 107-run victory over the Gujarat Titans.

Experienced Core Underperforms:

The under-28s cohort seems to outperform the over-28 players, who have only managed to score an average of 23.83 and 17 wickets taken at a bowling strike rate of 28.8.

Bright Spots: Brevis and Mhatre

Brevis’ Impact

Known as the “Baby AB,” Dewald Brevis has excelled during the middle overs by striking 165 runs off 97 balls at a phenomenal SR of 170.10. These numbers put him third in the league for overs 7-15, making him one of the best performers.

Brevis demonstrates remarkable form across all formats.

“With 459 runs scored in T20s this year at a strike rate of 176.53, he’s in the best form I’ve seen him since debuting.”

Mhatre’s Spark In The Powerplay

“Together with Urvil Patel, Ayush Mhatre has hit more of ‘sixes’ in the powerplay as compared to 12 other CSK batters who collectively consumed 384 balls. His intent and impact are telling.”

Statistical Divide: Youth Vs Experience

The shift highlighted in this table is the first sign that might help CSK consider new strategic pathways; new ideas might come from trading a vain inf ‘veteran-centric’ XI to one with youth.’

Looking Ahead: Learn From The Past

CSK has been known to have an excessive reliance on experience, infamous for as “Dad’s Army” during their there 18 title win. Also, history’s best replacement ideas such as ‘the each’ Doug Bollinger 2010, ‘Ruturaj Gaikwad 2020, Pathirana 2023 suggests that these will and should be the last frontrunners to incorporate Mhatre & Brevis into the team.

Read More: Mid-Season IPL Rule Change Sparks Discontent Among Franchises