New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) A bleak forecast surrounds the discussions regarding the future of five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings in the remainder of IPL 2025. Dedicated fans of the team have witnessed a less-than-stellar beginning to the current season, with their squad positioned in ninth place, managing only a victory against the Mumbai Indians.

CSK's campaign faces significant challenges after a disheartening 25-run defeat to the Delhi Capitals at their previously dominant home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The decision to utilize 17 players over four IPL 2025 matches, including every one of their seven foreign players at least once, reflects a surprising shift from their typical consistency.

Shane Watson, the former Australian cricketer who famously scored a century for CSK to clinch the 2018 IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, expressed his belief in CSK's potential to recover. He stated that he would be astonished if they do not manage a turnaround and anticipates that they will maintain the same top-order batsmen who played against DC.

“Typically, after every mega auction, CSK carefully strategizes their lineup, from batting order to bowling options. Thus, witnessing several adjustments within the first four matches is quite uncharacteristic of CSK,” he noted.

“During my time with CSK, Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni were always very clear about the roles assigned before the tournament commenced. They seldom altered those roles.”

“For CSK, clearly, with the recent auction, there are a few gaps they have been trying to address. The last game showcased a more robust opening combination with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra opening, allowing Ruturaj to bat at number three. The previous lineup, with (Rahul) Tripathi opening, created too many vulnerabilities within the team.”

“I’m optimistic that the decisions made prior to the last match will lead to improvement once they play a few consecutive games together in varying conditions. I would be incredibly surprised if they cannot turn it around, especially considering the batting order has the potential to set the pace, regardless of whether they bat first or second, facilitating a stronger middle and lower order,” Watson shared as a JioStar expert for the tournament in an interview with IANS on Monday.

CSK's batting difficulties are attributed to a poor start and a failure to seize control during the middle overs. According to statistics from Cricket-21 provided to IANS, CSK has the lowest scoring rate during the power-play (7.5), with eight wickets lost, and a middle overs score of (7.4), losing 12 wickets, although their death overs performance (10.1) with five wickets lost is slightly better.

In Watson’s final IPL season with CSK in 2020, he witnessed Gaikwad’s incredible transformation as the right-hander scored three consecutive fifties after a tough start. Following that, Gaikwad became a key player for CSK, contributing significantly to their championship victories in 2021 and 2023.

Thus, it is perplexing that Gaikwad has been batting at number three this season, a departure from his usual opening position. His average as a CSK opener is 44.01, significantly higher than his 29.57 average at number three. While Watson believes Gaikwad should open, he acknowledged that the change was due to other local Indian batsmen's struggles.

“I strongly believe Ruturaj should have been the opener from game one; that’s where he excels. He thrives in opening situations and has amassed the majority of his runs in that position. His technical skills allow him to handle a new ball effectively,” Watson stated.

“Yet his capacity to bat through an innings and score quickly is exceptional. I would have preferred Ruturaj to open from the start. If they needed to fill gaps, it should have been in the middle order, rather than shifting Ruturaj from his preferred opening role.”

“He has scored most of his runs and all his centuries as an opener. It’s unclear how they will address this now, but I would have loved to see Ruturaj opening from game one,” he elaborated.

This week of IPL 2025 is centered around rivalries, and CSK faces a tough challenge ahead. They will compete against the Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday, followed by a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at home on Friday.

Despite CSK historically dominating these two teams, their current form means that any result is possible. Time will reveal if CSK's revival occurs by the week's end or if they will endure another disappointing IPL season.