IPL 2025: 5 Auction Blunders by Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

One of the most successful teams in IPL history, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), had a difficult 2025 season that was characterized by erratic play and a lack of unity. CSK had great expectations, but they were unable to keep up and became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs race. A large portion of this decline can be attributed to crucial errors made during the IPL 2025 super auction.

CSK's auction plan caused controversy since it overpaid for underperforming veterans and ignored important areas like middle-order consistency and pace bowling. They suffered greatly as a result of their over-reliance on historical heroes and their unwillingness to invest in up-and-coming talent. Their squad depth was diminished by these auction gaffes, which also revealed obvious tactical weaknesses all season long.

We take a look at 5 auction blunders CSK made in the IPL 2025 mega auction:

1. Having no partner for Shivam Dube in middle power-hitting

CSK over-relied on Shivam Dube, who was supposed to anchor the middle order, particularly against spin. Opposition teams might readily target him in the absence of a strong supporting cast, highlighting the weakness in CSK's batting lineup.

Due to this imbalance, the team frequently broke down under pressure if Dube failed. CSK was exposed in high-stakes chases because they chose not to add a pace-hitter or a powerful finisher. They lost the opportunity to purchase Liam Livingstone or Will Jacks.

2. Buying Ravichandran Ashwin for INR 9.75 crores

Many rejoiced when CSK bought Ravichandran Ashwin for INR 9.75 crores in the IPL 2025 auction. The veteran had retired from international cricket earlier this year and was released by the Rajasthan Royals as well. However, CSK overlooked Ashwin’s poor numbers in the IPL from 2021 to 2024, managing only 42 wickets in 57 outings at a horrible average of 39.7 and a strike rate of 30.8. 

CSK was unable to pursue other important players because of this large investment, particularly in the fast-bowling division. The 38-year-old off-spinner no longer has the same vigor as he did in his prime. These days, he doesn't give the ball enough revolutions, which reduces his effectiveness as a spinner in the format. Ashwin only picked 5 wickets in 7 IPL 2025 matches.

3. Retaining Ravindra Jadeja for INR 18 crores

Ravindra Jadeja has been with the CSK team since 2011 and was bought back when the team returned to the IPL fold in 2018. However, CSK made the mistake of retaining Jadeja for INR 18 crores, severely restricting their chances of buying young and dynamic cricketers instead.

Jadeja has made 260 runs in 11 games and has taken 7 wickets for CSK in this IPL 2025. His performance didn't justify the hefty price tag. CSK could’ve negotiated with Jadeja given his T20 prowess and his retirement from India’s T20I format and maybe had more money for better players in the auction.

4. Not picking any Indian strike fast bowler

Matheesha Pathirana was the prime pacer for the CSK franchise. They hadn’t thought about others and had not retained Deepak Chahar or Tushar Deshpande for support. They got Khaleel Ahmed, who has performed admirably, but Mukesh Chaudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, and others lacked the bite.

Not retaining Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, and similar pacers has come back to bite them. While Khaleel has kept runs down, the wickets in power plays have not come. All-rounders like Jamie Overton and Sam Curran struggled to make significant impacts with the ball or the bat.

5. Over Reliance on Aging Players

By making significant investments in elderly players like MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin, CSK carried on their tradition of supporting experience. These seasoned players offer leadership, but in the fast-paced T20 format, their deteriorating agility and inconsistent play raise questions.  

Depending on batters like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar on their reputation hurt them as well, as they couldn’t do much in fast-paced T20 formats. The auction strategy lacked foresight, failing to inject fresh energy into key roles.

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