IPL 2025: Will MI and CSK Miss the Playoffs This Season? Pressure Mounts on the Giants

Two of the most storied franchises in Indian Premier League history—Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings—find themselves at a crossroads early in IPL 2025. With only one win each and mounting concerns over leadership, form, and balance, both teams risk facing an unthinkable outcome: missing the playoffs altogether.

An Era of Dominance Under Siege

Across IPL’s history, CSK and MI have been the gold standard of consistency and excellence. Between them, they hold 10 titles—five each—and have shaped the tournament’s legacy. CSK have qualified for the playoffs in 12 of 15 seasons, while MI have been known for their late surges and big-match temperament. But IPL 2025 tells a different story so far.

Current Standings: Slipping Early in a Tight Race

• Chennai Super Kings
  Matches Played: 3 | Wins: 1 | Losses: 2 | NRR: -0.405 (approx)
• Mumbai Indians
  Matches Played: 4 | Wins: 1 | Losses: 3 | NRR: -0.721 (approx)

With the 10-team format, playoff qualification has become trickier. Most seasons since the expansion have seen the fourth spot sealed with 16 points—and only once has a team with 14 points squeezed through. That leaves both MI and CSK needing at least six wins from their remaining games, with Net Run Rate (NRR) likely to come into play if results tighten.

What’s Gone Wrong? Leadership Shift and Strategic Instability

• For MI, the return of Hardik Pandya as captain has been rocky. The side has looked unsettled, especially in the powerplay with both bat and ball. Hardik’s bowling changes and batting order decisions have been questioned. Without Jasprit Bumrah in the early games and inconsistent performances from foreign recruits, MI have struggled to click.
• CSK, meanwhile, are transitioning from the Dhoni era, now under Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Gaikwad led them to a convincing win against MI at Chepauk, back-to-back losses to RCB and Gujarat Titans exposed a lack of experience in crunch situations. CSK’s famed calmness under pressure has been notably absent.

Key Matches That Exposed the Cracks

• RCB vs MI at Wankhede (April 7)
  RCB 221/5 (Kohli 67, Patidar 64)
  MI 209/9 (Tilak 56, Hardik 42)
  Result: RCB won by 12 runsA historic win for RCB—their first at Wankhede since 2015—highlighted MI’s bowling issues at the death. Even a spirited chase led by Tilak and Hardik fell short.
• CSK vs RCB at Chepauk
  RCB broke a 16-year drought in Chennai with a disciplined bowling effort, dismissing CSK cheaply after posting a modest target. It was a symbolic result, breaking the myth of fortress Chepauk.

What Needs to Change? The Road Ahead

With 10–11 matches left for most teams, the margin for error is minimal. Here’s what MI and CSK must do to survive the playoff race:

• Sharpen Powerplay Tactics: Both sides have been sluggish in the first six overs, often losing early wickets or leaking runs.
• Stabilize Playing XIs: Frequent changes have hurt team cohesion. A settled lineup is crucial for momentum.
• Improve Bowling at the Death: MI and CSK have conceded too many in the last five overs. Better execution of yorkers and slower balls is key.
• Big Guns Must Fire: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, and Ravindra Jadeja need to lead from the front.
• Back the Youth: Players like Tilak Varma, Rachin Ravindra, and Matheesha Pathirana must be trusted with key roles.

Qualification Equation: What Do They Need?

• 14 points (7 wins total) – risky, dependent on NRR and other results
• 16 points (8 wins total) – almost guarantees qualification
• MI’s Remaining Matches: Must win 6 of next 9
• CSK’s Remaining Matches: Must win 6 of next 11

Tradition says never write off Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings. But IPL 2025’s competition is fierce and unforgiving. Unless both teams tighten their strategies and string together victories fast, we could be witnessing a rare IPL season where neither yellow nor blue make it to the playoffs—a sign of shifting tides in franchise cricket.

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram