PBKS Knock CSK Out of IPL 2025: End of the Road for Dhoni’s Men?
It’s official—Chennai Super Kings are the first team to crash out of the IPL 2025 playoffs race. And honestly? It hurts. 190 on the board, a feisty Sam Curran almost carrying the innings on his back, a final over finish… and yet, it wasn’t enough. Punjab Kings, riding on a classy 72 from Shreyas Iyer and a feisty fifty from Prabhsimran Singh, held their nerve to seal the deal. With that, CSK’s playoff dreams evaporated like mist in the Dharamsala air.
Let’s unpack what really went down, shall we?
From Hope to Heartbreak
Powerplay Woes (48/3) – Young Guns Fall Early
You could tell it was going to be “one of those days” right from the start. On a tacky surface that had more bite than expected, CSK’s young openers Shiak Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre looked like deer in headlights. Both fell cheaply, chasing runs that just weren’t there to begin with. Ravindra Jadeja was bumped up the order—maybe a move of desperation, maybe strategy. Either way, he gave us a brief glimmer of hope by smashing Harpreet Brar for three boundaries. But of course, Brar had the last laugh, sending Jadeja back with a feathered edge. Classic Jadeja moment, right?
Middle Overs Mayhem – Curran & Brevis to the Rescue
Here’s the thing—when Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis came together, it felt like CSK were finally showing some fight. That 78-run stand wasn’t just a partnership; it was defiance.
Brevis played the spin like he grew up in Chepauk, while Curran looked like a man on a mission. The duo took on Chahal and Brar, forcing PBKS to go back to pace—and boy, did it work for a while. Brevis fell to Omarzai, but Curran brought up a powerful fifty and was looking like CSK’s savior.
Little did we know a Chahal storm was brewing.
Death Overs – Chahal’s Hat-Trick & The Final Blow
Yuzvendra Chahal. Love him or hate him, the man’s got flair for the dramatic. After getting smoked by Dhoni for a six, Chahal responded with a hat-trick in the penultimate over—including Dhoni himself.
Sam Curran’s heroic 88 off 47 deserved more, but the collapse around him meant CSK finished with 190. On most days, that might have been enough. But not when Iyer and Prabhsimran were in the mood.
Wobbles, Whacks, and a Finish
With 52 needed off the last five, it still felt like maybe CSK could sneak in a miracle.
Enter: Shashank Singh’s six off Noor and Iyer’s carnage against Pathirana—two sixes and a four that pretty much killed the chase. Even though Iyer fell with 3 runs needed, the job was done. PBKS crossed the line with two balls to spare.
What Went Wrong This Season?
Let’s be real—this season wasn’t lost today. CSK have looked off-colour all through IPL 2025:
- Inconsistent top order with young openers under pressure
- Spinners struggling to impact on modern, dewy decks
- Pathirana, their X-factor, being off rhythm most nights
- Dhoni not batting higher despite middle-order collapses
Today’s game just felt like the final chapter of a season-long struggle.
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer
Calm, composed, and oh-so-clutch. His 72 might not be the flashiest knock of the season, but it was everything PBKS needed and more.
Final Thoughts
Watching CSK bow out this early? It hits hard. For many of us, they’re not just a team—they’re a legacy. A Dhoni-led side exiting before playoffs feels almost… unreal. But sport is brutal like that.
