Suresh Raina with Dhoni
IPL 2025: Former Chennai Super Kings star player Suresh Raina has raised questions about the team's poor performance in IPL 2025. Raina, who is counted among the most trusted players of CSK, said that the current team neither shows the passion to win nor the intention for which CSK was known.
In an Instagram conversation with former fellow player Harbhajan Singh, Raina admitted that it seems to be the weakest CSK team ever. The team has won only 2 out of 8 matches so far and the points are running at the bottom of the table. The net run rate is also the worst of the league.
Captain MS Dhoni has taken command after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, but he has also said in gestures that now the focus is on the next season ie 2026.
Raina said, "Yes, this is the weakest CSK team. I think this time there is no intention in the team. There is no hunger for victory. The brand cricket CSK played for years, it is no longer visible."
CSK bought some experienced Indian players this season - such as Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and R Ashwin - but none of these could leave any major impact. The team's strategy is also under question as young players were given a late chance.
The young Ayush Matre, who recently debuted, played a tremendous game against Mumbai and proved that there is no shortage of talent in the team, just the right opportunity is needed.
Raina said that the biggest weakness of the team is seen in the powerplay. He says that in the first six overs, the team is neither able to rotate the strike nor the boundary. "When we used to play the dot ball, we used to make pressure from single-dobb and then players like Dhoni and Albi Morkel in the death overs.
CSK's next match is against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on 25 April. Now every match is like or die. If the team wants to make a comeback, this may be the last chance.
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