"CSK lacked intent..." - Ambati Rayudu Slams CSK Batters for Lackluster Approach Against MI

Ambati Rayudu has finally taken aim at the Chennai Super Kings for their terrible IPL 2025 performance. One of CSK's biggest supporters has voiced worries about the team's prospects of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs following their nine-wicket loss to the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. After losing the toss, the Super Kings scored 176 runs in the first innings. In the second half of the powerplay, debutant Ayush Mhatre got off to a fast start, and CSK was scoring more than eight runs each innings. 

However, when Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease initially following his wicket, the game slowed down. Even though they had a nice pitch to bat on, they were unable to hit boundaries or maximums. Prior to the thirteenth over, CSK showed no intention when batting. The batters were unable to take advantage of their batting performance, even in the final few overs. Reaching 200+ runs got extremely challenging as a result.

Ambati Rayudu Slams CSK Batters:

When Rayudu thought back on the Chennai Super Kings' performance in the current IPL 2025, he believed that their middle-overs batting strategy had fallen well short of what contemporary T20 cricket requires. According to him, the Chennai Super Kings' most significant issue this season has been their erratic batting lineup. As cricket has changed, Rayudu reminded the hitters that it is crucial to have a strong strike rate in the middle overs, particularly on a flat field where the ball is hitting the bat.

On Jiostar, Rayudu said, "It was those middle overs—around seven overs for just 35 runs—that cost them. No one plays like that anymore in T20 cricket. The game has evolved, and even during the middle overs, teams need to score at a healthy strike rate. CSK lacked intent. You can lose a game, but you have to fight. You can’t just try to coast through a phase and hope to finish strong later. That pitch needed at least 190 to be competitive, and what CSK posted wasn’t even par. It was below-par batting during the crucial middle phase."

He further added, "I don’t see them coming back this season. Even Dhoni acknowledged that in his post-match comments, saying they’re already looking ahead to the next season. They’ll want to groom young players and build a culture of fearless, not reckless, cricket. They must play with more positive intent. Perhaps someone like Ayush Mhatre could get a full run from here on."

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