Can CSK qualify for IPL 2026 or are their weaknesses exposed?
After a disappointing season in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings have once again started their campaign with a humiliating defeat against Rajasthan Royals this season. All CSK fans have the same question: can CSK qualify for IPL 2026 or are their weaknesses exposed?
In this article, we will critically analyze whether this is a new CSK or if the result will be the same as last year
CSK Performance In IPL 2025
CSK finished at the bottom of the table last year with just 8 points. They managed to win only 4 matches out of 14 and handed easy wins (2 points) to their opponents in the remaining matches. It was the worst performance for the five-time champions CSK in an IPL season.
Batting Performance of CSK IN IPL 2025
The best batter for CSK in IPL 2025 was Shivam Dube, who scored 357 runs at an average of 32.45 and a strike rate of 132.22. Only two batters managed to cross the 300-run mark. Ravindra Jadeja (301 runs) and Ayush Mhatre (240 runs) were the second- and third-best batters for CSK. This indicates that the batting unit completely failed last year.
Bowling Performance of CSK IN IPL 2025
In bowling, Noor Ahmad took 24 wickets for CSK and he was just 1 wicket behind the purple cap holder Gujrat Titans superstar of the season Prasidh Krishna. Noor was economical throughout the season and was backbone of CSK bowling unit. Besides Noor Ahmad, no other bowler from CSK was in Top 15 wicket takers list.
Khaleel Ahmad managed to take 15 wickets, but his economy rate of 9.57 did not support CSK much. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana could take 12 wickets for CSK, but he rarely showed control over the ball and consistently conceded runs with an economy of 10.13 runs per over.
3 key reasons behind CSK failures
1. Outdated approch in batting
Cricket has evolved all over the world, but it does not seem to have changed for CSK. While most teams were scoring at nearly 10 runs per over in IPL 2025, CSK managed only 8.7 runs per over. It was the lowest average for any team in the powerplay in IPL 2025.
Here are the top three teams with the highest runs per over in IPL 2025:
Rajasthan Royals: 10.88
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 9.94
Punjab Kings: 9.93
Again, in IPL 2026, CSK’s top order started with a collapse and managed to score only 41 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the powerplay. With Sanju Samson joining CSK, it was expected that the low run rate in the powerplay would be resolved this year, but it can only improve if he spends more time at the crease.
2. In experienced batting Line-up
CSK went for young players in the auction. All these players are highly talented and can become a very lethal batting side in the future, but they lack experience, as handling pressure in a tournament like the IPL can be challenging.
Ayush Mhatre, who was sent in at number three in the game against Rajasthan Royals, is only an 18-year-old player from Mumbai. He played some beautiful knocks in the U-19 World Cup and won the trophy under his captaincy. Kartik Sharma, who came in to play the role of a finisher in the middle order, is just a 19-year-old who has played outstanding cricket in domestic tournaments.
However, coping with the pressure of the IPL and playing such a crucial role for CSK can take time. Also, CSK bought Kartik for 14.2 crores in the auction which can add extra pressure of proving himself in the tournament, as we have seen many times players with higher price tag has struggled in the tournament.
CSK’s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has played some excellent cricket for CSK in IPL, but he has not been in good form since last year.
South African future star Dewald Brevis did not play the last game against Rajasthan Royals because he sustained injury during a practice game.
The role of Shivam Dube is very crucial for CSK as he is the only experienced finisher for CSK in the absence of MS Dhoni. Shivam Dube played many important knocks in the t20 world cup 2026 including final against New Zealand and facilitated India to lift the trophy.
3. Below average performance from bowling unit
After a disappointing performance by the bowlers in 2025, CSK again did not give much hope for good results. In the last game against RR, CSK scored 128 runs in 20 overs, but their bowlers conceded the runs in only 12.1 overs.
Although pitch was good for fast bowlers, highly experienced Matt Henry conceded 40 runs in only 3 overs without dismissing any RR batter. Khaleel Ahmad was economical but could not take any wicket. Noor Ahmad and Jamie overton went wicketless, however Noor may get his form back on the spinning track of Chennai.
CSK seriously need to improve their bowling and should come with better game plan, if they want to win matches.
These are the 3 key reasons behind CSK failures and needs improvement
Can CSK qualify for IPL 2026?
Qualifying for the playoffs in a tournament like the IPL is quite challenging for all teams. The five-time champions, CSK, who have a squad full of young and explosive talent, can definitely qualify for the top four if they overcome the challenges mentioned above and find their rhythm.
Once the young CSK players gain confidence after winning a few matches and build momentum, they can make it to the playoffs, and it could become difficult for other teams to stop them.