The Chennai Super Kings began the IPL 2025 season with a win over the Mumbai Indians; however, a string of losses has put them in a difficult spot to qualify for the playoffs.
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The five-time champions lost five consecutive matches, with their second win coming against Lucknow Super Giants in their seventh match. That win was also followed by a heavy nine-wicket defeat against MI at the Wankhede and a five-wicket defeat against SRH in Chepauk.
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With 0 losses in 11 matches so far, the chances are over for CSK to go through as they depend on other results majorly. The Sporting News tells you CSK's chances and scenarios for their qualification.
READ MORE: Who is CSK's youngest-ever player in IPL? 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre shines on debut at Wankhede
Rules for the play-off qualification in IPL 2025
IPL 2025 features ten teams that are divided into two groups, each comprising five teams.
Each team will play 14 matches. They will face four teams from their own group and one team from the other group twice during the league stage.
However, they will meet the remaining four teams (from the other group) just once during this phase.
Points are awarded as follows: two for a win, one for a no-result, and none for a loss. In case of a tie in points, net run rate serves as the tiebreaker. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the playoffs.
Here is how the league position will be decided if two or more teams have the same points:
- If teams have equal points in the league table, the team with the most wins will be placed higher.
- If teams have equal points and the same wins, the team with a higher NRR will be placed higher.
- In case teams have equal points, same wins, and the same NRR, the team with the highest number of wickets will be preferred.
- If teams have the same wickets as well, their league position will finally be determined by drawing lots.
Can Chennai Super Kings qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2025?
CSK can reach a maximum of 12 points if they win all their remaining matches. They are mathematically out of this year's competition, after their recent loss to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 4 wickets at Chepauk.
READ MORE: IPL 2025 full schedule, fixtures, results, and points table for Indian Premier League cricket season
IPL 2025 Updated Points Table
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +0.482 |
| Mumbai Indians | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | +1.274 |
| Gujarat Titans | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | +0.867 |
| Punjab Kings | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | +0.199 |
| Delhi Capitals | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | +0.362 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | -0.325 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 10 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | +0.271 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.780 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -1.192 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 11 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.117 |
IPL Qualification trends (Based on past seasons)
- 16 points (8 wins): Almost guaranteed qualification.
- 14 points (7 wins): Decent chance but depends on NRR and other results.
- 12 points (6 wins): Rare. Qualification is only possible in exceptional circumstances.
What is CSK's route for qualification to the playoffs?
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Bengaluru |
| May 7 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata |
| May 12 | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai |
| May 18 | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad |
How can CSK qualify for the playoffs? Qualification scenario explained
With four wins in the remaining matches, CSK can reach a maximum points tally of 12 points, having already played ten matches in the tournament.
14 points is the usual cut-off with which the fourth-placed team can qualify for the playoffs, given that a lot of other results go according to what a team needs.
Therefore, they are mathematically out of the tournament.
Being at the bottom of the table, CSK's fate does not remain entirely in their hands. So, their chances of qualifying are over.
CSK upcoming fixtures, wins required, and chances of qualification
| Upcoming Fixtures | RCB (A), KKR (A), RR (H), GT (A) |
|---|---|
| Wins required | Not Applicable |
| Chances of qualification | 0% |
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